New member in Chico, CA

[canman47]

Hi chicken fans. I decided to join this group to find better ways to raise my chickens and deal with problems. I've had chickens several times in my life but it was always pretty haphazard and they were always getting wiped out by predators. We bought our current home about 4 years ago and it came with chickens and a pretty nice coop/run setup. Previous owners would free range them during the day so we tried that and a dog got one so we kept them in. Some could fly out and foxes got 2 more. We're down to 5 now and they pretty much stay in. Foxes are around a lot but they don't try to get in the run. They seem more interested in squirrels. I guess the girls are getting old. We don't get many eggs. Usually 2 a day and they immediately peck and eat them so I need to build a rollaway nest. I am surprised several people mention that they use pine shavings as bedding. I've read that that is definitely toxic to chickens. The times I've tried it the girls immediately pushed it out anyway. Looking forward to talking chickens.

 

[Bsmac]

Hello! Welcome to BYC! Enjoy yourself here!

 

[pennyJo1960]

Welcome to Backyard Chickens. This is a great place to explore and hang out.

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.

 

[muddy75]

 

[Debbie292d]

Hiya, and welcome to BYC!

Foxes are around a lot but they don't try to get in the run. They seem more interested in squirrels.

We have them too that run up the hill in the forest, past our secure breeding pens, to the farm across the road because there are rats. The farmer said the fox hang out in her barn hunting rats.

I don't trust them, but they couldn't get at ours anyway.

 

[sourland]

Hello, and welcome to BYC.

 

[N F C]

Hi, sorry for your previous losses. Best wishes!

 

[BoundlessLove]

Welcome to Backyard Chickens!

 

[janiedoe]

Welcome to BYC. Pine bedding is fine for chickens. Cedar bedding can cause respiratory issue.