New from NWFL

[aquabum]

I have been posting already. But never really introduced myself.

I started my flock about 7 months ago with 6-8 month old hens. I got 5 of them. They morphed into 8 hens at one point and then had a stray dog take two of my favorite ones from me.

I recently had to cull a sick bird that was probably within days of dying on her own. That was pretty rough since the kids treat them all like pets.

But here are my girls and one boy now. All different breeds.

Fluffy Foot Partridge Cochin
Silver Laced Wyandotte
Rhode Island Red
Mixed Rhode Island and Easter Egger that does not look like one, but lays beautiful Blue Eggs
Mixed White Buff Orpington
Austrolorpe
And my she that turned into a he Isa Brown mix rooster.

The RIR, Isa Brown, and Buff Orpington are the newest ones at only about 2.5-3 months old. And the roo is already trying to mount the bigger hens even though they will have none of it.

 

[MrsMistyReal]

Welcome aboard to BYC family gr8 people tons of information, loads of fun, enjoy shake your tail feathers adorable feathered family members

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC.

 

[4 ever Orpington]

M

I have been posting already. But never really introduced myself.

I started my flock about 7 months ago with 6-8 month old hens. I got 5 of them. They morphed into 8 hens at one point and then had a stray dog take two of my favorite ones from me.

I recently had to cull a sick bird that was probably within days of dying on her own. That was pretty rough since the kids treat them all like pets.

But here are my girls and one boy now. All different breeds.

Fluffy Foot Partridge Cochin
Silver Laced Wyandotte
Rhode Island Red
Mixed Rhode Island and Easter Egger that does not look like one, but lays beautiful Blue Eggs
Mixed White Buff Orpington
Austrolorpe
And my she that turned into a he Isa Brown mix rooster.

The RIR, Isa Brown, and Buff Orpington are the newest ones at only about 2.5-3 months old. And the roo is already trying to mount the bigger hens even though they will have none of it.

I have been posting already. But never really introduced myself.

I started my flock about 7 months ago with 6-8 month old hens. I got 5 of them. They morphed into 8 hens at one point and then had a stray dog take two of my favorite ones from me.

I recently had to cull a sick bird that was probably within days of dying on her own. That was pretty rough since the kids treat them all like pets.

But here are my girls and one boy now. All different breeds.

Fluffy Foot Partridge Cochin
Silver Laced Wyandotte
Rhode Island Red
Mixed Rhode Island and Easter Egger that does not look like one, but lays beautiful Blue Eggs
Mixed White Buff Orpington
Austrolorpe
And my she that turned into a he Isa Brown mix rooster.

The RIR, Isa Brown, and Buff Orpington are the newest ones at only about 2.5-3 months old. And the roo is already trying to mount the bigger hens even though they will have none of it.

 

[AllenK RGV]

Welcome to the family and great introduction plus you gave us pictures! We love those... Re viewing your photos looks like your hens are going to be in hog heaven come spring. Loads of cover from overhead predators and tons of bugs to find or dig out from under the leaf litter, kudos!

 

[aquabum]

Welcome to the family and great introduction plus you gave us pictures! We love those...

Yeah, I have enjoyed the pics of other folk's chickens. So I thought I would share as well. They are truly amazing animals to have. I never thought they would be so interesting. I just thought, hey I'll get some and get some eggs and that would be that. But each one has a personality and mannerisms of their own. I can sit on the back porch and watch them all afternoon when I let them out.

I have a coop and run for them, but I go out the back door and they all run to the run door like, OK I know you are coming to let us out! And they follow me around for a bit hoping I have a goody for them.

My kids especially love them!

 

[AllenK RGV]

Hi @aquabum as I am sure you are aware chicken wire is chicken not predator proof, but I am sure you know this. I made myself a Ft Squaks but leave the door open 24x7 as I haven't lost one yet and they are happier with no human interaction other than "human fills feed bowl or when cold throws scratch/corn". My flock are fliers and I was getting tired of them flying past my head so leave them alone. I am hoping they will move into the trees negating the need for coop cleaning altogether, but they aren't there yet. I am so happy you are exposing your children to this experience and they are enjoying the ride too!

 

[aquabum]

Hi @aquabum as I am sure you are aware chicken wire is chicken not predator proof, but I am sure you know this. I made myself a Ft Squaks but leave the door open 24x7 as I haven't lost one yet and they are happier with no human interaction other than "human fills feed bowl or when cold throws scratch/corn". My flock are fliers and I was getting tired of them flying past my head so leave them alone. I am hoping they will move into the trees negating the need for coop cleaning altogether, but they aren't there yet. I am so happy you are exposing your children to this experience and they are enjoying the ride too!

So far, we have not had a predator problem!!! Knock on wood. A stray dog got in the yard and actually lifted up the egg boxes and grabbed two of my girls!!!! The egg boxes have latches on them now!

 

[drumstick diva]

Bad thing about chickens roosting in trees, climbing preds and raptors waiting for them. Less coop cleaning because less chickens

 

[AllenK RGV]

Bad thing about chickens roosting in trees, climbing preds and raptors waiting for them. Less coop cleaning because less chickens

I agree but they will dictate their desires directly and are awesome at predator avoidance. Just like they decided when it was time to leave the coop and run in favor of free ranging. The chicken know better than I do what their needs are.