We bought a rural place (3 acres) near Josephine Texas in october of last year. got 10 baby chicks in that first week and raised them up from about 4 days old. We got the perfect set, 9 hens and 1 rooster, I picked a mix of buff orpingtons, jersey giants and cucka marans. Home made a tractor, and moved it out back further from the house, and bought a dog kennel for more outside space. heard the rooster crow for the first time the other morning while I was out feeding the baby goats, couldnt help but smile Cant wait for a little warmer dryer weather so I can feel comfortable letting the birds out in the OPEN. glad to find this place
Howdy from Austin. Okay, now I know where Josephine is. Your only about 200 miles north of me. Our flock stays outside all the time. They do have a small shelter that blocks most of the wind that they can get into. It never gets too cold here in Texas for them to be outside. Early on, when I first came to Back Yard Chickens, and was thinking about adding heat I was lucky enough to find this post: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/421122/think-its-too-cold-for-your-chickens-think-again Look on the left. The poster, Mrs. AK-Bird-Brain is in Alaska. If her flock doesn't need heat, here in Texas... Actually, ours seem to be laying better in the cooler months than in the hot, dry stuff we went thorough last summer.
thanks everyone for the warm welcome. I grew up on a farm in NW arkansas....a long time ago. back then the chickens and cows were CHORES...its so much more fun now doing it as a hobby!!!! thanks again!
