Hi,
I been lurking on BYC for a while and finally joined. I've had chickens for about 5 years and started with just 3 hens. I originally wanted chickens for organic grasshopper control. We had a couple of bad years and the hoppers were eating everything green on the place. I researched breeds before I got them because I didn't consider myself a "bird person" so I wanted to be sure they were friendly and easy to manage. I ended up with two Barred Rocks and one EE. They were quite the characters
Unfortunately, I eventually lost all three to predators (coop upgrades after each loss). I waited several months before getting more - 5 BR chicks. I lost 1 at about 8 weeks old to a stupid rat snake that had no chance at all of making a meal of a chick that size (I'm still irritated about that one) and over the last two years have lost two more - always something different. Hopefully, I've learned enough to keep the current flock as safe as possible.
I picked up 7 more chicks in April - 3 Buff Orps, 2 Blue Orps, 1 Salmon Faverolla, and 1 EE. The two blue Orps were straight run because I really wanted a blue hen. Well, I ended up with a black hen and a blue roo (my avatar). Then it became clear that one of the Buff pullets was actually a cockerel. So, of course now I need more pullets, right? A friend told me about Meyer Hatchery and I went browsing. They had a few breeds the feed store I usually get my chicks from don't carry. I decided to get a few of these chicks. They also have Blue Orp pullets, so I ordered a couple of those hoping to get my blue hen (fingers crossed). When I had my selection, I realized if I ordered a few more, it would reduce the shipping such that it was actually a couple dollars cheaper. On check-out, the meal maker was offered. I thought that was a great idea, so of course I checked the box. They are expected to hatch Oct. 16th! My very first mail order - I'm excited and nervous about their well-being at the same time.
And that is the (not so short) story of how I went from "not really a bird person" to expecting 16 chicks in a couple of weeks! Oh, and I also ordered plans for a coop to give them more room. I've never built anything like this before, so it should be an adventure!
I been lurking on BYC for a while and finally joined. I've had chickens for about 5 years and started with just 3 hens. I originally wanted chickens for organic grasshopper control. We had a couple of bad years and the hoppers were eating everything green on the place. I researched breeds before I got them because I didn't consider myself a "bird person" so I wanted to be sure they were friendly and easy to manage. I ended up with two Barred Rocks and one EE. They were quite the characters
Unfortunately, I eventually lost all three to predators (coop upgrades after each loss). I waited several months before getting more - 5 BR chicks. I lost 1 at about 8 weeks old to a stupid rat snake that had no chance at all of making a meal of a chick that size (I'm still irritated about that one) and over the last two years have lost two more - always something different. Hopefully, I've learned enough to keep the current flock as safe as possible.
I picked up 7 more chicks in April - 3 Buff Orps, 2 Blue Orps, 1 Salmon Faverolla, and 1 EE. The two blue Orps were straight run because I really wanted a blue hen. Well, I ended up with a black hen and a blue roo (my avatar). Then it became clear that one of the Buff pullets was actually a cockerel. So, of course now I need more pullets, right? A friend told me about Meyer Hatchery and I went browsing. They had a few breeds the feed store I usually get my chicks from don't carry. I decided to get a few of these chicks. They also have Blue Orp pullets, so I ordered a couple of those hoping to get my blue hen (fingers crossed). When I had my selection, I realized if I ordered a few more, it would reduce the shipping such that it was actually a couple dollars cheaper. On check-out, the meal maker was offered. I thought that was a great idea, so of course I checked the box. They are expected to hatch Oct. 16th! My very first mail order - I'm excited and nervous about their well-being at the same time.
And that is the (not so short) story of how I went from "not really a bird person" to expecting 16 chicks in a couple of weeks! Oh, and I also ordered plans for a coop to give them more room. I've never built anything like this before, so it should be an adventure!
Best wishes!!!
And 
