Hey everyone! I grew up on a poultry farm, and while I only had a few "pet" chickens in my life, I loved the enjoyment farm animals can bring. I began thinking about getting some backyard chickens about a year ago, but didn't think it would ever really happen, since we live on 1 acre within the city limits of a small town. Neighbors on all sides have dogs, but our yard is fenced in, so I finally decided we were going to take the plunge, and take our chances.
I did a little research about breeds, and then the week before Easter, I called the local feed stores and found out which ones carried the breeds I was interested in. We took our four kids to the store and they picked out 6 three-day old chicks. It was an "Easter dream come true" for the kids.
The chicks spent the next several weeks in our garage in a big plastic bin and a heat lamp. I had forgotten how much of a mess those cute little chicks could make.... and how much they could smell up the place! LOL I had to clean out their box daily. Whew! But, we took them out & petted them daily, too, and we were glad to have them!
We got five Araucaunas and one Tetra Tint. We (I) named them Fiona, Adele, Guinevere, Giselle, and Buttercup. We named the tetra tint Chiquita.
I researched coops and designs online, and then my husband and his best friend built ours (without formal plans!) based on what I picked out. It was a great day when we were able to put our little feathered friends in their new home.
A friend on Facebook listed as her status that her niece was looking for a home for four chicks she'd hand-raised after a hawk got their mother. I told her I'd take them, and so our number grew to ten chicks. Two of the new chicks were named by my oldest (6 years old) daughter: Chocolate & Fudge, and then we named the other two Juanita and Henrietta. As time has passed, we're pretty sure Chocolate is a HE and Henrietta is, too -- making it Henry....
Another friend raises Silkies, and she offered me some of her 10-ish week old chicks. We got two, and our 6 year old daughter named one Snowball, and our 8 year old (son) named the other Boo.
So now we have twelve. They're such pets! The original six are truly my favorites. I love to go out and just pet them.
I found out about Backyard Chickens when I was doing my research on pens. I bookmarked the page for reference!
About me - I'm a wife & mother. We have four children, ages 8, almost 7, almost 4, and almost 1. We have two fat & lazy indoor cats, and two outdoor cats - ferals that adopted us. I'm a speech-language pathologist. I love photography, baking, singing, and all sorts of crafts. I just wish I had more time for those sorts of things. It's not easy to find spare time for hobbies when you have four small children!
It's nice to be here! Thanks BYC for all the very helpful information you have here!
Susan
I did a little research about breeds, and then the week before Easter, I called the local feed stores and found out which ones carried the breeds I was interested in. We took our four kids to the store and they picked out 6 three-day old chicks. It was an "Easter dream come true" for the kids.
The chicks spent the next several weeks in our garage in a big plastic bin and a heat lamp. I had forgotten how much of a mess those cute little chicks could make.... and how much they could smell up the place! LOL I had to clean out their box daily. Whew! But, we took them out & petted them daily, too, and we were glad to have them!We got five Araucaunas and one Tetra Tint. We (I) named them Fiona, Adele, Guinevere, Giselle, and Buttercup. We named the tetra tint Chiquita.
I researched coops and designs online, and then my husband and his best friend built ours (without formal plans!) based on what I picked out. It was a great day when we were able to put our little feathered friends in their new home.
A friend on Facebook listed as her status that her niece was looking for a home for four chicks she'd hand-raised after a hawk got their mother. I told her I'd take them, and so our number grew to ten chicks. Two of the new chicks were named by my oldest (6 years old) daughter: Chocolate & Fudge, and then we named the other two Juanita and Henrietta. As time has passed, we're pretty sure Chocolate is a HE and Henrietta is, too -- making it Henry....
Another friend raises Silkies, and she offered me some of her 10-ish week old chicks. We got two, and our 6 year old daughter named one Snowball, and our 8 year old (son) named the other Boo.
So now we have twelve. They're such pets! The original six are truly my favorites. I love to go out and just pet them.
I found out about Backyard Chickens when I was doing my research on pens. I bookmarked the page for reference!
About me - I'm a wife & mother. We have four children, ages 8, almost 7, almost 4, and almost 1. We have two fat & lazy indoor cats, and two outdoor cats - ferals that adopted us. I'm a speech-language pathologist. I love photography, baking, singing, and all sorts of crafts. I just wish I had more time for those sorts of things. It's not easy to find spare time for hobbies when you have four small children!
It's nice to be here! Thanks BYC for all the very helpful information you have here!
Susan
so glad you joined us!!! 
e
