New member here...

[Kwoodford0001]

I've been searching and reading on this site since summer of 19. That's when we unexpectedly brought home 4 birds from my other halfs family. During this 3 hr trip back home with 3 young kids and 4 birds in the back at 1am we didn't have clue what we were getting into. After about 2 days I ordered an incubator, hatched 9 of 10 eggs. (one was not fertile) out of the 9 I hatched I'm sad to say I only have one that remains the was given to a friend. (we live in the sticks so some animal problems I believe was the culprit) but I ended up with approximately 50 birds at one time. (we have experienced meat birds, Guinea fowl, buff orp, Americauna, starlight, silver laced wyd, brahma, silkie babies) I think that's all? Lol but due to the Guinea demeanor we lost a roo I hatched after 8/9 mos of growing up with them (they were raised together from day 1 so not sure why they attacked, but his eyes got it and he didn't recover) I had a mean roo that I couldn't break so he went away (they all roam freely and with small kids he was the only bad one and I couldn't risk my kids) I've been the happiest ever since getting my birds but I never thought I'd go from 4 to 50.... But right now I'm at 31- I've finally got them situated to where nothing can get in or out! Hawks are horrible! I think that's what got my original babies but I've had my hands full letting them roam! Easter egg hunting every day! Buttt I quarantined them the other day hopefully they will learn to go there! How long should I let them stay there before they go automatically? I love letting them run the fields but can't be having eggs through the fields. That draws in the critters - but I finally found my Guinea egg theif... - my dog rebel! Their eggs were the only ones I stopped collecting bc they moved the nest due to egg thieving... (not me- they trusted me) guess they smelled the ...anyway... Let me finish this up since I'm rambling and giving 9 or 10 months of my chicken mom life at once! It's been a roller coaster of emotions from fun, exciting, joy, sadness, anger, but most of all love that I've experienced having these babies. And during this COVID thing I've been able to help my elderly neighbors by giving them eggs! I've collected a few pictures of my sweeties...

Oh and my 3 yr old loves finding worms and spoiling the chicks with them!
OK I'm done rambling! Hope yall will help with all my much needed advice in the future! Thanks!

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

Welcome to our FUNomenal community!
What an adorable flock!!!!
Best wishes and Be well!

 

[sloanbychoice]

Welcome to BYC!!!
Sounds like chicken math already hit!
Be sure to check out the articles... tons of good info in there!
Glad you joined!!

 

[drumstick diva]

Wow - what gorgeous eggs- think you could feed an army.

 

[Kwoodford0001]

Thanks! I got a new phone recently and hadn't gotten many pictures on it or I'd show more of my babies! I had to search to find these few oldies!

 

[Kwoodford0001]

Wow - what gorgeous eggs- think you could feed an army.

I washed them up and passed them out to the neighborhood and my mailman! I always stick a couple dozen in and raise the flag!

 

[Grandma Taylor]

I've been searching and reading on this site since summer of 19. That's when we unexpectedly brought home 4 birds from my other halfs family. During this 3 hr trip back home with 3 young kids and 4 birds in the back at 1am we didn't have clue what we were getting into. After about 2 days I ordered an incubator, hatched 9 of 10 eggs. (one was not fertile) out of the 9 I hatched I'm sad to say I only have one that remains the was given to a friend. (we live in the sticks so some animal problems I believe was the culprit) but I ended up with approximately 50 birds at one time. (we have experienced meat birds, Guinea fowl, buff orp, Americauna, starlight, silver laced wyd, brahma, silkie babies) I think that's all? Lol but due to the Guinea demeanor we lost a roo I hatched after 8/9 mos of growing up with them (they were raised together from day 1 so not sure why they attacked, but his eyes got it and he didn't recover) I had a mean roo that I couldn't break so he went away (they all roam freely and with small kids he was the only bad one and I couldn't risk my kids) I've been the happiest ever since getting my birds but I never thought I'd go from 4 to 50.... But right now I'm at 31- I've finally got them situated to where nothing can get in or out! Hawks are horrible! I think that's what got my original babies but I've had my hands full letting them roam! Easter egg hunting every day! Buttt I quarantined them the other day hopefully they will learn to go there! How long should I let them stay there before they go automatically? I love letting them run the fields but can't be having eggs through the fields. That draws in the critters - but I finally found my Guinea egg theif... - my dog rebel! Their eggs were the only ones I stopped collecting bc they moved the nest due to egg thieving... (not me- they trusted me) guess they smelled the ...anyway... Let me finish this up since I'm rambling and giving 9 or 10 months of my chicken mom life at once! It's been a roller coaster of emotions from fun, exciting, joy, sadness, anger, but most of all love that I've experienced having these babies. And during this COVID thing I've been able to help my elderly neighbors by giving them eggs! I've collected a few pictures of my sweeties...
❤❤
Oh and my 3 yr old loves finding worms and spoiling the chicks with them!
OK I'm done rambling! Hope yall will help with all my much needed advice in the future! Thanks!

Welcome! I am pretty new to the sight myself but I am really enjoying it! We usually leave our chickens in the coop for at least a week to train them to go back to that spot. We let ours out every morning to let them free range, then lock them in every night. Unfortunately we are not getting any eggs right now because we have very dutiful brooding hens that are making sure that any newly lauded eggs are being pulled over and under them before we get a chance to take them out. We should begin seeing some little ones in a little less than a week. I have no idea how many we are going to get since we have 3 hens brooding together on their treasures!

 

[Kwoodford0001]

Welcome to BYC!!!
Sounds like chicken math already hit!
Be sure to check out the articles... tons of good info in there!
Glad you joined!!

Thank you! I've been reading so much since I've started this adventure! I'm pretty sure I've seen your advice on someone else's question and it was helpful! Thank you again!

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.

 

[Kwoodford0001]

Welcome! I am pretty new to the sight myself but I am really enjoying it! We usually leave our chickens in the coop for at least a week to train them to go back to that spot. We let ours out every morning to let them free range, then lock them in every night. Unfortunately we are not getting any eggs right now because we have very dutiful brooding hens that are making sure that any newly lauded eggs are being pulled over and under them before we get a chance to take them out. We should begin seeing some little ones in a little less than a week. I have no idea how many we are going to get since we have 3 hens brooding together on their treasures!

Oh wow! I keep waiting for them to go broody..... I've left eggs and tried to get them to start.... I recently done a head count about a week ago bc I knew I was missing eggs. It never added up close to the correct amount. Counted all day the chickens running and never could get to 17...right before their bed time I counted one last time and found the last one... Figured out who it was and I hadn't seen her all day.... I knew where I usually see her gazing so I walked the tall fields and found her nest. She wasn't doing any good spending all day on it and at night off of it... I guess she just started attempting to be broody but that wasn't a safe spot. I moved her to the coop and the eggs but she wanted nothing to do with them at that time... Maybe I'll let her get a new batch going...? Goodluck with your babies!