Hi All!
So thankful for this forum, have found so much excellent advice! Must admit borderline obssessed with my gals, they are spoiled and it appears many of you enjoy the experience of keeping chickens as fulfilling as I
I am new to urban chicken farming and was the lucky recipient of a free coop, 2 RIR hens (supposedly 18mo), just starting a molt in October. The previous owner was 8mo pregnant with 2 yr old and new puppy and simply said the chickens were too much to keep up with. She stated they were excellent layers. So assuming chickens lay for at least five years or so, I figured why not, at very minimum saves me the building of a coop!
I have come to love these gals. They have great personalities and seem to be almost done with molt. No eggs as yet, but hopeful! 1 Hen does squat when I pet her, maybe a sign??? I have put a solar light at bottom of coop for added light and read in one thread to put red pepper in diet, also added golf balls
. The gals roam in a 15x6 side yard and put themselves up at night so pretty low maintenance. Just two hens in total.
I do wonder if I have been duped and these gals are past laying???? Have read a few threads on aging chickens. Maybe you all can tell me with added pictures below?
I am treating one for possible vent gleet which just seems to have come on (and they have to have the cleanest coop ever- so rather surprised) but it seems mild (not at all as bad as images I see online of this - so just to be proactive at least, I have offered them molasses in apple sauce, probiotic yogurt, and added vinegar to their drinking water. I did not soak the rump though, seemed too involved at the moment, have not yet mastered how to pick them up or handle them per se. They are friendly, but a bit skittish when I try and pick them up. I know I should try at dusk.
Anyways I am very glad to join the community and if there are any proud chicken folks around me please reach out would love to meet you! I can always talk about my chickens over coffee or wine
ChickwChicks!
Here are some shots of my gals and their coop.
So thankful for this forum, have found so much excellent advice! Must admit borderline obssessed with my gals, they are spoiled and it appears many of you enjoy the experience of keeping chickens as fulfilling as I

I am new to urban chicken farming and was the lucky recipient of a free coop, 2 RIR hens (supposedly 18mo), just starting a molt in October. The previous owner was 8mo pregnant with 2 yr old and new puppy and simply said the chickens were too much to keep up with. She stated they were excellent layers. So assuming chickens lay for at least five years or so, I figured why not, at very minimum saves me the building of a coop!
I have come to love these gals. They have great personalities and seem to be almost done with molt. No eggs as yet, but hopeful! 1 Hen does squat when I pet her, maybe a sign??? I have put a solar light at bottom of coop for added light and read in one thread to put red pepper in diet, also added golf balls

I do wonder if I have been duped and these gals are past laying???? Have read a few threads on aging chickens. Maybe you all can tell me with added pictures below?
I am treating one for possible vent gleet which just seems to have come on (and they have to have the cleanest coop ever- so rather surprised) but it seems mild (not at all as bad as images I see online of this - so just to be proactive at least, I have offered them molasses in apple sauce, probiotic yogurt, and added vinegar to their drinking water. I did not soak the rump though, seemed too involved at the moment, have not yet mastered how to pick them up or handle them per se. They are friendly, but a bit skittish when I try and pick them up. I know I should try at dusk.
Anyways I am very glad to join the community and if there are any proud chicken folks around me please reach out would love to meet you! I can always talk about my chickens over coffee or wine

ChickwChicks!
Here are some shots of my gals and their coop.