brittbrown
Hatching
Hi! I am new not only to Back Yard Chickens, but to chickens in general! My sister raised 20 RIRs for a FFA project (while I was away for college), but I figured, if a teenage girl can do it, a vet tech can, right?? Shortly after getting married and moving to the boot heel of Missouri, I saw the baby chicks at Orscheln while taking our sweet Great Dane, Glenda to get her food. She was terrified of their peeping but I was mesmerized. I kept finding excuses for us to go back for little things (but really to see the chicks) and worked on buttering up my husband. I finally got him to cave by suggesting that they be my birthday present, as we were a bit busy on my birthday--getting married! So he agreed and we got 3 "Americauana" (Easter Egger) chicks. I was immediately hooked and wanted more. Two weeks later, I had talked him into more. I was shooting for at least two (Buff Orpington and Barred Rock or Silver Wyandotte), but one was all I could squeeze out of him. So I got a Buff Orpington since I had read they have phenomenal personalities. So we have Meredith, Maggie, Amelia, and Arizona (c'mon Grey's fans!) I wish I could post pictures of all of my critters, but read that I need to make 20 posts first! Soon enough, my new friends. Because let me tell you, they are some cuties.
I am already obsessed with them and as a current stay at home dog, hedgehog, and chicken mama, I just sit and watch them for hours on end. They are so funny! Arizona, the BO has the most personality, hands down. I joke that I could have gotten just her and been content! How much of a fib is that??
My husband is slowly coming around to the chicks though, after 6 weeks! We built a giant box as a pre-coop for them to stay in the garage--yes, I just moved them from our spare room today... spoiled little chicks!--and he was quite proud of it and sat and watched them hop around for quite a while. Arizona came pecking his hand asking to be picked up and he was smitten. I think this will help me in getting the adorable coop of my dreams, which I know, needs to be ASAP. Before today, he would tell me that the eggs chickens are not going to be worth what they are going to cost... I think if he tries that again I will ask him how many fish he needs to catch to make a boat worth it!
Anyway, any advice you veterans have to offer would be so appreciated! I have done extensive research and poured through threads on here, but I know there are so many people with so much experience to be shared! Also, I would love to eventually start raising some chickens for meat. I'd love to hear your thoughts on breeds and methods as well as your experiences!!
Reading through these posts, I am so overwhelmed by the sense of community this forum encompasses. It is truly heartwarming to see the support between strangers. I am so excited to be a part of Back Yard Chickens!
I am already obsessed with them and as a current stay at home dog, hedgehog, and chicken mama, I just sit and watch them for hours on end. They are so funny! Arizona, the BO has the most personality, hands down. I joke that I could have gotten just her and been content! How much of a fib is that??
My husband is slowly coming around to the chicks though, after 6 weeks! We built a giant box as a pre-coop for them to stay in the garage--yes, I just moved them from our spare room today... spoiled little chicks!--and he was quite proud of it and sat and watched them hop around for quite a while. Arizona came pecking his hand asking to be picked up and he was smitten. I think this will help me in getting the adorable coop of my dreams, which I know, needs to be ASAP. Before today, he would tell me that the eggs chickens are not going to be worth what they are going to cost... I think if he tries that again I will ask him how many fish he needs to catch to make a boat worth it!
Anyway, any advice you veterans have to offer would be so appreciated! I have done extensive research and poured through threads on here, but I know there are so many people with so much experience to be shared! Also, I would love to eventually start raising some chickens for meat. I'd love to hear your thoughts on breeds and methods as well as your experiences!!
Reading through these posts, I am so overwhelmed by the sense of community this forum encompasses. It is truly heartwarming to see the support between strangers. I am so excited to be a part of Back Yard Chickens!