New Kid On The Site

[hakatee]

Hi,
I am a farm girl born and raised but our chickens always ran loose. So chicken keeping is new for me and I have lots of questions so be patient and laugh all you want to if you just help me. Thanks.

 

[Michael OShay]

Welcome to BYC! Just post any specific questions you may have on the forum and I'm sure you'll get lots of replies. We are here to help in any way we can. And we would never laugh at your questions, as we are all learning here. The only stupid question is the unasked question that needed to be asked. What kind of chickens do you have?

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Welcome to BYC! Please make yourself at home and we are here to help.

Please feel free to ask any questions; we'd love to help! Sorry for your australorp!

Also, be sure to check out our learning center where you'll find lots of helpful chicken keeping info.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center

 

[hakatee]

Today I found one of my black australorps dead and i don't really know what happened. I have gone over the last 2 weeks in my head and I am so distressed that I let this happen. If she was free range I could say it just happens but my ladies are completely dependent on me and I am responsible for her death. I have questioned whether it would be best to feed fodder and crumble or seek an all in one grain food.

 

[Michael OShay]

I'm sorry about the loss of your Australorp. It's always sad, but it happens, and sometimes we never know why. As far as feed, there is a good article on feeding chickens on the BYC website at https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/feeding-at-different-ages and another good article on feeding chickens at http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/11/feeding-chickens-at-different-ages.html

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello there and welcome to BYC!

Oh, I am so sorry about your Aussie.

I keep this breed too and I know just how sweet they can be.

We do welcome you to our flock and I hope your heavy heart can heal soon.

 

[gander007]

Alright

 

[drumstick diva]

Always room for more at BYC, glad you joined the flock

Sometimes chickens just die for no discernible reason - please don't beat yourself up over it. Even when chickens are not free ranged - there are always predators that can get to them from the air, ground, or digging up beneath.

 

[hakatee]

Ok I have questions, for years we have had Game varieties, for one reason: they can fly and up until last summer our predators were mostly of the canine variety and the occasional opossum or raccoon. We only kept roosters that were not inclined to fight. Keeping them up was just too much. We preferred pest control by way of chicken and the free range meat and eggs had a better taste. So now I am learning how to keep chickens.

What is the best seed mix for fodder?

A few weeks ago I was given 3 grown Red Sex Link hens because they were being bullied in the run. I have the 2 Black Australorp hens since loosing one this weekend. I am wondering if the Red hens may bully the Australorps. I am getting 3 more hens and I am trying to decide whether to get more Australorps or go with the Jersey Giant.
I don't want aggressive hens.