Long time lurker, first time poster

[BlackdogHS]

Hey everybody,

I'm J.
I live in Northeast Indiana along with 2 big black dogs, our little mouser, and my better half.
We recently purchased a few acres and plan on becoming as self sufficient as possible(while keeping our sanity). Chickens have been near the top of the list for a few months now , and we're finally making the move.
We have an order in at a local ag store for 6 pullets and 1 roo to get us started. After we learn the ropes, we plan on expanding the flock as much as possible. We plan on growing grain and raising mealworm ourselves once we get a feel for their eating requirements so we can keep things as natural as possible.

I've done a lot of research, but I know there is still more to learn, which is where you all come in. I'm excited to get involved, learn a few things, and hopefully get to the point where I can contribute and lend advice as well.

Outside of chickens, I enjoy gardening, extremely spicy food, playing guitar, trying new craft beers, and building/fixing things. Things that I don't enjoy are paying for services/products that I can do/make myself and not knowing how to do something and having to pay others to do it for me.

Tell me about yourselves, ask me questions (I'm sure I forgot a few bullet points from the introduction guidelines), or just say hello!

 

[drumstick diva]

Hello and Welcome to Backyard chickens.

 

[Cyprus]

Hello, J and
We look forward to seeing you around, and hope you enjoy your birds!

 

[pennyJo1960]

Hey everybody,

I'm J.
I live in Northeast Indiana along with 2 big black dogs, our little mouser, and my better half.
We recently purchased a few acres and plan on becoming as self sufficient as possible(while keeping our sanity). Chickens have been near the top of the list for a few months now , and we're finally making the move.
We have an order in at a local ag store for 6 pullets and 1 roo to get us started. After we learn the ropes, we plan on expanding the flock as much as possible. We plan on growing grain and raising mealworm ourselves once we get a feel for their eating requirements so we can keep things as natural as possible.

I've done a lot of research, but I know there is still more to learn, which is where you all come in. I'm excited to get involved, learn a few things, and hopefully get to the point where I can contribute and lend advice as well.

Outside of chickens, I enjoy gardening, extremely spicy food, playing guitar, trying new craft beers, and building/fixing things. Things that I don't enjoy are paying for services/products that I can do/make myself and not knowing how to do something and having to pay others to do it for me.

Tell me about yourselves, ask me questions (I'm sure I forgot a few bullet points from the introduction guidelines), or just say hello!

Welcome to both of you and critters to Backyard Chickens glad to have bio looks pretty complete

 

[AllenK RGV]

Hi and welcome to our little flock here at BYC! We do have the spicy food part in common. Mealworms are good compost converters into treats for you future chums. You just can't let them freeze but apparently they don't make much of anything for a smell. I am sure if you click on our Articles button up top, then visit the learning center link there you will find plenty of examples of mealworm farms other members have built and shared with the rest of the community.

Best Wishes and

 

[BlackdogHS]

Hi and welcome to our little flock here at BYC! We do have the spicy food part in common. Mealworms are good compost converters into treats for you future chums. You just can't let them freeze but apparently they don't make much of anything for a smell. I am sure if you click on our Articles button up top, then visit the learning center link there you will find plenty of examples of mealworm farms other members have built and shared with the rest of the community.

Best Wishes and

Thanks! I've been composting for a while with red wigglers, and I assumed it would be a similar set up to my old layered bin set up, but I'll have to check that out!

 

[AllenK RGV]

Thanks! I've been composting for a while with red wigglers, and I assumed it would be a similar set up to my old layered bin set up, but I'll have to check that out!

One other compost food ideas to research after spring is there for you is BSFL apparently there are in Indiana as well according to this source:

Plans for those are also in the learning center.

 

[Peppercorngal]

Hey everybody,

I'm J.
I live in Northeast Indiana along with 2 big black dogs, our little mouser, and my better half.
We recently purchased a few acres and plan on becoming as self sufficient as possible(while keeping our sanity). Chickens have been near the top of the list for a few months now , and we're finally making the move.
We have an order in at a local ag store for 6 pullets and 1 roo to get us started. After we learn the ropes, we plan on expanding the flock as much as possible. We plan on growing grain and raising mealworm ourselves once we get a feel for their eating requirements so we can keep things as natural as possible.

I've done a lot of research, but I know there is still more to learn, which is where you all come in. I'm excited to get involved, learn a few things, and hopefully get to the point where I can contribute and lend advice as well.

Outside of chickens, I enjoy gardening, extremely spicy food, playing guitar, trying new craft beers, and building/fixing things. Things that I don't enjoy are paying for services/products that I can do/make myself and not knowing how to do something and having to pay others to do it for me.

Tell me about yourselves, ask me questions (I'm sure I forgot a few bullet points from the introduction guidelines), or just say hello!

Welcome! I don't know what predators you may have in your region, but build your coop/run with the predators in mind. Also keep in mind chickens are happiest when they have room, 10 sq feet per bird is best. I am a woman and built my run myself. The posts are not plumb and that bothers my husband no end, but my chickens have never complained at all! ha ha. Best of luck, keep us posted on your progress.

 

[BlackdogHS]

Welcome! I don't know what predators you may have in your region, but build your coop/run with the predators in mind. Also keep in mind chickens are happiest when they have room, 10 sq feet per bird is best. I am a woman and built my run myself. The posts are not plumb and that bothers my husband no end, but my chickens have never complained at all! ha ha. Best of luck, keep us posted on your progress.

The 'yotes are thick out here and I dispatch them when I can, but I am keeping them in mind! Our coop-in-progress will be temporary, but still secure. The run I am building will be permanent and made with the 100 or so yards of chain link I salvaged with the bottom foot buried and anchored. Im tearing down a barn for a neighbor this summer and will use the salvageable wood to build a bigger and better coop. The Coop I'm starting next week is being built with 2x8s and salvaged sheathing from an outbuilding I tore down last fall. I'll start a progress thread at some point and force pictures of the babies on everyone whether they like it or not

 

[Smuvers Farm]

Glad you're here !

A must have for your poultry is a FIRST AID KIT for any issues that would arise. (https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/suggestions-for-a-first-aid-kit.1150128/)
It's definitely better to have it and not need it rather than need it and not have it.

Also, make sure your coop(s) have a proper amount of VENTILATION. (https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...-there-and-cut-more-holes-in-your-coop.47774/) Your chickens will absolutely thank you for it!

One last thing, if you're into gardening, feel free to join this years SEED SWAP (https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/seed-swap.1220129/)