(1) Are you new to chickens / when did you first get chickens?
I had my first four backyard chickens in 2013 and then, when tragedy struck I took some time off because the heartache was more than I expected (small dog, raccoon, and two literally flew the coop, I hope they lived happy lives or got found by a kind soul), and now I’m back full throttle and loving every minute, even the hard ones.
(2) How many chickens do you have right now? My hen just hatched 12 out of 16 eggs and we only lost one in the first few days (she was teensy and had hatching troubles), we have a small flock of three who this particular hen was part of, and a flock of 9 that I wanted it integrate into my current little flock but one of my feed store pullets was a little stag so they have formed their own flock but get along with the others. So that makes... 23!
(3) What breeds do you have? Mostly backyard mixes. My little flock are two salmon faverolles silkie mixes, and a polish silkie mix (hatched from my sisters eggs), the rooster is a total mans-man and he is AMAZING at his job. His name is Hawk-a-doodle-do (or just hawk for short) and his girls are Raven and Cocoa bean. My larger flock I acquired as day-olds from tractor supply consists of two buff orphingtons named Honey and Butter, two Golden Comet sex links named Astrid and Stella, three speckled Sussex called sprinkles, pepper and Dot, a bantam Sussex cockerel named Neptune, and a tiny bantam who I can’t quite figure out the breed (guessing a buff Millefleur (she’s buff with white speckles) and she’s called marmalade. The new babies are backyard hooligan mutts from a silkie dad and varying moms (most of the eggs came from my sister once again)
(4) What are your favorite aspects of raising backyard chickens? So far, letting my hen go broody weirdly enough. It was her first time and we gave her a large clutch that I started in the incubator because she only had three little eggies, and not only did she hatch all of them that made it to 21 days, she is the BEST mom. They’re a week old and she hasn’t left their side and chats with them all day. I also LOVE roosters. They’re so so very important to my flock ecosystem and my little guy and big dude get along great this far, but Hawk protects everyone and is the last inside every night and they all come running over when I play the flower opera or thank god I’m a country boy lol
(5) What are some of your other hobbies?
I love to eat and make food, garden, do crafts, and just enjoy the California mountains I call home.
(6) Tell us about your family, your other pets, your occupation, or anything else you'd like to share.
I have a son, a daughter and a new grand daughter! I am a mom to a paralyzed boxer/hound mix pup who is so sweet and wonderful. I have kitty cats too and a grandpup named Karen (border collie Queensland mix). I am an artist (oil painter) and a musician (songwriter) by profession, but I’m a “Jill of all trades” if you will. Covid has seen me unemployed because I was planning events before the pandemic hit, and now the only crowds I manage are feathered ones (or furry ones if you count the dogs and kitties lol)
(7) Bonus: How did you find BYC, how long have you known about BYC, and what made you finally join our awesome community?
I always come here when I’m looking for info never really realizing it was a social platform for chicken lovers as well hahaha
I had my first four backyard chickens in 2013 and then, when tragedy struck I took some time off because the heartache was more than I expected (small dog, raccoon, and two literally flew the coop, I hope they lived happy lives or got found by a kind soul), and now I’m back full throttle and loving every minute, even the hard ones.
(2) How many chickens do you have right now? My hen just hatched 12 out of 16 eggs and we only lost one in the first few days (she was teensy and had hatching troubles), we have a small flock of three who this particular hen was part of, and a flock of 9 that I wanted it integrate into my current little flock but one of my feed store pullets was a little stag so they have formed their own flock but get along with the others. So that makes... 23!
(3) What breeds do you have? Mostly backyard mixes. My little flock are two salmon faverolles silkie mixes, and a polish silkie mix (hatched from my sisters eggs), the rooster is a total mans-man and he is AMAZING at his job. His name is Hawk-a-doodle-do (or just hawk for short) and his girls are Raven and Cocoa bean. My larger flock I acquired as day-olds from tractor supply consists of two buff orphingtons named Honey and Butter, two Golden Comet sex links named Astrid and Stella, three speckled Sussex called sprinkles, pepper and Dot, a bantam Sussex cockerel named Neptune, and a tiny bantam who I can’t quite figure out the breed (guessing a buff Millefleur (she’s buff with white speckles) and she’s called marmalade. The new babies are backyard hooligan mutts from a silkie dad and varying moms (most of the eggs came from my sister once again)
(4) What are your favorite aspects of raising backyard chickens? So far, letting my hen go broody weirdly enough. It was her first time and we gave her a large clutch that I started in the incubator because she only had three little eggies, and not only did she hatch all of them that made it to 21 days, she is the BEST mom. They’re a week old and she hasn’t left their side and chats with them all day. I also LOVE roosters. They’re so so very important to my flock ecosystem and my little guy and big dude get along great this far, but Hawk protects everyone and is the last inside every night and they all come running over when I play the flower opera or thank god I’m a country boy lol
(5) What are some of your other hobbies?
I love to eat and make food, garden, do crafts, and just enjoy the California mountains I call home.
(6) Tell us about your family, your other pets, your occupation, or anything else you'd like to share.
I have a son, a daughter and a new grand daughter! I am a mom to a paralyzed boxer/hound mix pup who is so sweet and wonderful. I have kitty cats too and a grandpup named Karen (border collie Queensland mix). I am an artist (oil painter) and a musician (songwriter) by profession, but I’m a “Jill of all trades” if you will. Covid has seen me unemployed because I was planning events before the pandemic hit, and now the only crowds I manage are feathered ones (or furry ones if you count the dogs and kitties lol)
(7) Bonus: How did you find BYC, how long have you known about BYC, and what made you finally join our awesome community?
I always come here when I’m looking for info never really realizing it was a social platform for chicken lovers as well hahaha
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It's so nice to meet you! 
Hello and welcome to BYC, You found an Amazing Poultry Community to be a part of with many great knowledgeable members who are more then willing to jump in and help you along your journey with any questions you may have. 
