I moved to Ohio this past February and inherited a flock of 12 chickens (11 hens 1 rooster) and 3 mallards (2 drakes 1 hen). I lost 3 hens and my female duck within a month to predators. Since then I have learned the value of a quality automatic door and the importance of forcing those stubborn ducks to get out of the pond and go to bed at night. We decided to cull our only rooster early on because he tried on several occasions to attack my 3 and 6 year old children.
Since then, I raised 18 chicks and 4 mallard ducklings in the brooder (all hens except 1 surprise rooster who we love to pieces so far). I also recently gave 4 more chicks to my super broody Hen, who is a supermama. We sadly lost one of the mallard ducklings to a hawk, so naturally I also adopted 5 new "teenage" muscovy girls. So I have 8 hens remaining from my original flocks, 18 almost 4 month old chicks, 4 baby chicks, giving me a total of 30 chickens. In addition to my 2 drakes that came with the home and 8 young female ducks. So a grand total of 40 birds.
We have a good mixture of cochins, barred rocks, easter Eggers, rhode island reds and 1 brahma.
They bring me and my family so much joy. My now 7 year old, is in charge of running our little self-serve egg selling cart and she loves it so much. We can't wait for all of our young ones to start laying, as she is having a hard time keeping up with demand with only 8 laying hens at the moment.
I also enjoy gardening and taking my kids on fun outdoor adventures. We had lived in an RV for the past 2 years traveling the country before settling in Ohio. Part of me appreciates our newfound stability but part of me really misses seeing new things all the time. But I will say the thing I enjoy the most about having a stable home are my beautiful, fun, feathered friends.
I have come to this website countless times in the past 5 months and have read so much great advice. Thank you for letting me join this little family of fellow bird lovers. I look forward to being able to ask questions and hopefully answer a few for others as well.
Since then, I raised 18 chicks and 4 mallard ducklings in the brooder (all hens except 1 surprise rooster who we love to pieces so far). I also recently gave 4 more chicks to my super broody Hen, who is a supermama. We sadly lost one of the mallard ducklings to a hawk, so naturally I also adopted 5 new "teenage" muscovy girls. So I have 8 hens remaining from my original flocks, 18 almost 4 month old chicks, 4 baby chicks, giving me a total of 30 chickens. In addition to my 2 drakes that came with the home and 8 young female ducks. So a grand total of 40 birds.
We have a good mixture of cochins, barred rocks, easter Eggers, rhode island reds and 1 brahma.
They bring me and my family so much joy. My now 7 year old, is in charge of running our little self-serve egg selling cart and she loves it so much. We can't wait for all of our young ones to start laying, as she is having a hard time keeping up with demand with only 8 laying hens at the moment.
I also enjoy gardening and taking my kids on fun outdoor adventures. We had lived in an RV for the past 2 years traveling the country before settling in Ohio. Part of me appreciates our newfound stability but part of me really misses seeing new things all the time. But I will say the thing I enjoy the most about having a stable home are my beautiful, fun, feathered friends.
I have come to this website countless times in the past 5 months and have read so much great advice. Thank you for letting me join this little family of fellow bird lovers. I look forward to being able to ask questions and hopefully answer a few for others as well.
Glad you joined.
