New Here, Looking to Connect

[beth1004]

Hey,

I'm Beth and I'm looking to connect with other chicken owners. We have 4 silkies now 2 pullets and 2 cockerels. That's the correct terminology for under a year, right? I wasn't wanting 2 roosters for sure so we will see what happens with that in time. I really want to add more chickens and spend hours looking at breeds. I want chickens that are good layers. Our current chickens are in an 8x8 coop and have an attached yard that is also 8x8. We allow them to free range when we are home. I worry that something would get them if they were left out and no one was around.

Do y'all recommend adding baby chicks or pullets? I've read all about the needs of the chicks.
Which do you find to be friendlier? Ones that you've raised from babies or are older ones easily won over. Our silkies will come to eat but trying to get them back in their coop if we need to leave before dark is a hassle.
thanks!!

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi Beth and welcome to BYC. Before considering adding to your flock, you may wish to read this - http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/how-much-room-do-chickens-need

If you introduce a treat to your chickens (I used millet seeds) then you'll find it very easy to get them into a coop or run, once they associate the treat with a noise/tim of day.

Here’s a link to the Articles section - https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/ There you’ll find lots of information on almost every aspect of keeping chickens - from coop building ideas, to incubating eggs.

There’s a link on the page above to the Learning Centre - it’s a great resource. If you have a specific topic in mind, just type it in the search box - there's a wealth of information on past and present threads.

Each week, various topics are discussed, which can also be a great resource - https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/topic-of-the-week-thread-archive


You may wish to consider joining your state thread as it will put you in touch with other BYC members in your area - Find Your State Thread


Best wishes

Pork Pie

 

[TomZilla43]

Hey,

I'm Beth and I'm looking to connect with other chicken owners. We have 4 silkies now 2 pullets and 2 cockerels. That's the correct terminology for under a year, right? I wasn't wanting 2 roosters for sure so we will see what happens with that in time. I really want to add more chickens and spend hours looking at breeds. I want chickens that are good layers. Our current chickens are in an 8x8 coop and have an attached yard that is also 8x8. We allow them to free range when we are home. I worry that something would get them if they were left out and no one was around.

Do y'all recommend adding baby chicks or pullets? I've read all about the needs of the chicks.
Which do you find to be friendlier? Ones that you've raised from babies or are older ones easily won over. Our silkies will come to eat but trying to get them back in their coop if we need to leave before dark is a hassle.
thanks!!

Hiya Beth, . I've only done pullets but from what I've heard and read I think you will have a closer relationship with chicks you raise from very young. And you can "train" chickens to come back to the coop by giving them treats in the same fashion time after time. The Pavlovian thing in action, I use a bright yellow bucket lid to give my girls treats and I think they would follow me ANYWHERE as long as I'm carrying the yellow bucket lid!! Again welcome and you will find lots of really nice folks here who have a passion for animals and offer encouragement and sound advice. Hope you enjoy your time here

 

[beth1004]

Hi Beth and welcome to BYC. Before considering adding to your flock, you may wish to read this - http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/how-much-room-do-chickens-need

If you introduce a treat to your chickens (I used millet seeds) then you'll find it very easy to get them into a coop or run, once they associate the treat with a noise/tim of day.

Here’s a link to the Articles section - https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/ There you’ll find lots of information on almost every aspect of keeping chickens - from coop building ideas, to incubating eggs.

There’s a link on the page above to the Learning Centre - it’s a great resource. If you have a specific topic in mind, just type it in the search box - there's a wealth of information on past and present threads.

Each week, various topics are discussed, which can also be a great resource - https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/topic-of-the-week-thread-archive


You may wish to consider joining your state thread as it will put you in touch with other BYC members in your area - Find Your State Thread


Best wishes

Pork Pie

Thanks Pork Pie for the welcome and links. I spend many hours reading. Now to put it all into action. Also, I'm very happy to see there is a state thread. I look forward to finding chicken owners in Georgia. Happy Sunday!

 

[beth1004]

Hiya Beth, . I've only done pullets but from what I've heard and read I think you will have a closer relationship with chicks you raise from very young. And you can "train" chickens to come back to the coop by giving them treats in the same fashion time after time. The Pavlovian thing in action, I use a bright yellow bucket lid to give my girls treats and I think they would follow me ANYWHERE as long as I'm carrying the yellow bucket lid!! Again welcome and you will find lots of really nice folks here who have a passion for animals and offer encouragement and sound advice. Hope you enjoy your time here

Hey TomZiila43,
Thanks for the welcome. I'm torn with starting young and it being longer to get eggs vs older and not having the closer relationship. I will definitely start using the same treat bucket so they recognize that I'm bringing them treats. Happy Sunday from rainy Georgia!!

 

[4 ever Orpington]

Hey,

I'm Beth and I'm looking to connect with other chicken owners. We have 4 silkies now 2 pullets and 2 cockerels. That's the correct terminology for under a year, right? I wasn't wanting 2 roosters for sure so we will see what happens with that in time. I really want to add more chickens and spend hours looking at breeds. I want chickens that are good layers. Our current chickens are in an 8x8 coop and have an attached yard that is also 8x8. We allow them to free range when we are home. I worry that something would get them if they were left out and no one was around.

Do y'all recommend adding baby chicks or pullets? I've read all about the needs of the chicks.
Which do you find to be friendlier? Ones that you've raised from babies or are older ones easily won over. Our silkies will come to eat but trying to get them back in their coop if we need to leave before dark is a hassle.
thanks!!

 

[007Sean]

Howdy Beth Happyto have you join the family. Enjoy your time here at BYC!

 

[beth1004]

Howdy Beth Happyto have you join the family. Enjoy your time here at BYC!

Thanks 007. Eggcited to be here!!

 

[4 ever Orpington]

Hey TomZiila43,
Thanks for the welcome. I'm torn with starting young and it being longer to get eggs vs older and not having the closer relationship. I will definitely start using the same treat bucket so they recognize that I'm bringing them treats. Happy Sunday from rainy Georgia!!

Welcome lady Georgian. My wife and I live in Suches Ga.

 

[N F C]

Hi Beth, it's nice to have you here! Thanks for joining us, make yourself at home!