New Member - Hello All

Jun 16, 2020
30
50
54
Good morning Everyone. I am very excited to join the group. We are brand new to chickens, and most of what I know I have learned from this site. :thumbsup On Friday, 6/12, we inherited/adopted 14 hens that are about 2-3 years old, or so I am told. I am not sure about some of the breeds, but I know there are 5 RI Reds, and a few that I have no idea. They are black with a dark blue reflection and brown on their necks. Beautiful. We got them from someone that had them in a dirty coop with no run. They have never been outside and they don't have much interest in it, but their coop door is open and ready for them to free range when they decide to go out.

Our "planned" flock is arriving on Thursday from Cackle Hatchery; 23 birds of mixed breeds. There are some Barred Rock, Dominique, Easter Eggers, and Bielefelders, as well as two Bielefelder roos. The coop and brooder are in the barn with our three horses. I have heard horror stories about heat lamps catching fire, so I bought a Brinsea EcoGlow brooder as it had great reviews and minimized any fire danger. I have had it plugged in for about 24 hours now, and it is only at 96 degrees. I have read that is too cold for new chicks. Does anyone have any experience with this? I live in MA, and it still gets pretty cool at night.

Other than that, we are slowly starting our homestead, we have three horses, three dogs, 14 chickens (soon to be 37) :fl, a large garden, and solar power.

It is great to be part of BYC. Thank you all for posting so much great information.
 
Welcome to BYC. You will learn alot. The only thing I think I can add to that is : If you have not already done so please really make sure your older hens who were kept in dirty conditions are healthy before you mix in all your new babies. I do not know how you can make sure they are not carrying any worms, mite or disease- maybe you already know and have made sure they are fine, but that is what comes to mind when I hear of someone adopting and rescuing older chickens.

also, if you have 23 baby chicks, that will help because they keep each other warm with that many bodies to snuggle with.
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom