New Member

[GirlPilot]

I'm a new member and have been drawn into the back yard chicken raising through my daughter and grandchildren. We are in Southern Arizona, although it is actually more central Arizona, in East Mesa (Phoenix Metro area). I have lived here for over 25 years as an unwilling transplant from Alaska. I have never truly embraced the desert life, but have gotten used to what it takes to live here and have adjusted my life accordingly. I do have 2 wonderful grown daughters (48 & 43) and between them I have a total of 5 grandchildren ranging in age from 6 to 11 (three 6 yo, one 7 yr and one 11 yo). The oldest daughter lives in SoCal with 2 kids and the other lives in AZ with 3 (twin 6 yo and the 11 yo). Anyway, last year, prior to COVID, I mentioned I wanted to get a couple of laying hens, specifically Golden Comets because of the laying production. Our family is allergic to wheat and I go through tremendous amounts of eggs cooking gluten free. Therefore, my daughters being my daughters decided they would start a flock of various chickens and while I was in Alaska taking care of my 97 yo mom on hospice they purchased 21 various breeds of chicks (unsexed) and started our flock. We ended up with Comets, Golden Phoenix, Leghorns, Barred Rock, White Phoenix, Leghorn, Rhode Island Red, and 4 Ayam Cemani. She bought all the chicks between April and May. The first egg was laid in Mid August, and now we average collecting 20 eggs a day. All the chickens get along, but now I have to start making hen saddles or aprons for these little hens to protect their poor little backs. So glad I found your site.

 

[50-45-1]

Wow!
Nice flock and love your story.
Welcome to the backyard!

 

[Lemon-Drop]

Hi and welcome to BYC! This is a great community of chicken lovers! Feel free to ask any questions you may have!

 

[DucksAreBest]

Hello, welcome to BackYard Chickens. Thank you for joining our community.

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.

 

[Meg-in-MT]

Hello! Welcome to BYC!! Thank you for sharing your story. Glad all of the chickens are getting along well! How many roosters did you end up with?

 

[janiedoe]

Welcome to BYC! I'm sorry about your mom. I hope you will love chicken keeping!

 

[BlueBaby]

Hello, and welcome! I'm here in AZ., not too far from you. We have other AZ. member's here also, and even have our own AZ. state thread here:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/arizona-chickens.31227/page-7553

 

[Thunder344]

Hello and welcome to BYC! I hope you have a excellent time here!

 

[GirlPilot]

Welcome to BYC! I'm sorry about your mom. I hope you will love chicken keeping!

When I was young, my family always raised chickens for meat every spring, 350 at a time. I am soooo picky of my cooked chicken, it must be cooked perfectly, it cannot have a hint of pink, other wise visions of those chickens, the butchering and packing and all associated smells suddenly come back to life.. So I'm extremely picky.