Howdy all,
New listmember from Randolph Co, WV.
I have had chickens since 2003. There have been many ups and downs. At one time, I had 30+ barnevelders, cuckoo maran, and welsummers. A mink reduced that flock by 25 in about 90 minutes. Then I rebuilt with tractor supply chicks - Red Star, Easter Eggers, and an assortment of a few others. Due to attrition to dinner table, fox, coyote, feral dogs, a golden eagle, broad winged hawk, and perhaps others that I don't know about, I was down to 3 egger hens. Now I have a styrobator and Marsh Roll-X full of eggs set to hatch about 6 days apart (though temperature issues may change that). As I have largely been free ranging the chickens to control ticks, etc. I decided to try some game bloodlines to see if they have a bit more hardiness. I also have moved the Alpacas into the same field as the henhouse, which should help with the feral dog/coyote issues. Finally, my daughter is now 8 and has assumed many chores, including letting out/locking up the chickens every night. I suppose it will remain to be see how this goes. I also now have a 3 acre field with good fencing where I will be putting a few more chickens to walk about with 3 Llamas. We also have a old gray goose, about 10 mixed pekin ducks, and an assortment of our own dogs, rabbits, cats, etc.. My wife and I are family practice physicians (DO's) who do a rural practice here. The farm is 95 acres total. I have stumbled across this site and I hope to learn much, as so far it has been all trial and error.
Dr.Phil
New listmember from Randolph Co, WV.
I have had chickens since 2003. There have been many ups and downs. At one time, I had 30+ barnevelders, cuckoo maran, and welsummers. A mink reduced that flock by 25 in about 90 minutes. Then I rebuilt with tractor supply chicks - Red Star, Easter Eggers, and an assortment of a few others. Due to attrition to dinner table, fox, coyote, feral dogs, a golden eagle, broad winged hawk, and perhaps others that I don't know about, I was down to 3 egger hens. Now I have a styrobator and Marsh Roll-X full of eggs set to hatch about 6 days apart (though temperature issues may change that). As I have largely been free ranging the chickens to control ticks, etc. I decided to try some game bloodlines to see if they have a bit more hardiness. I also have moved the Alpacas into the same field as the henhouse, which should help with the feral dog/coyote issues. Finally, my daughter is now 8 and has assumed many chores, including letting out/locking up the chickens every night. I suppose it will remain to be see how this goes. I also now have a 3 acre field with good fencing where I will be putting a few more chickens to walk about with 3 Llamas. We also have a old gray goose, about 10 mixed pekin ducks, and an assortment of our own dogs, rabbits, cats, etc.. My wife and I are family practice physicians (DO's) who do a rural practice here. The farm is 95 acres total. I have stumbled across this site and I hope to learn much, as so far it has been all trial and error.
Dr.Phil
