New member

Pics
Date sort Score sort
Im_trying_my_best

Im_trying_my_best

In the Brooder
Aug 2, 2025
5
68
46
Western Michigan
Hello everyone, my husband and daughter came home with chickens and I've been designated the primary care giver for them. I have absolutely no clue what I'm doing but am putting my all into giving them the best environment I can so they are happy and healthy.

Are you new to chickens / when did you first get chickens?
This is my first time having chickens. I got the first batch in April 2025 and the second August 2025

(2) How many chickens do you have right now? 14 chicken, 2 guinea and 2 ducks

(3) What breeds do you have?
White leghorns, silver laced wyandottes, Rhode Island reds, black Australorp, barred rock, black jersey giants, Americana, French guineas and Pekin ducks

(4) What are your favorite aspects of raising backyard chickens?
Seeing all the different personalities they end up with and learning new skills

(5) What are some of your other hobbies?
Reading and crocheting

(6) Tell us about your family, your other pets, your occupation, or anything else you'd like to share.
I have a husband and 2 daughters, 1 dog since the other passed this past winter at the age of 19, 3 cats and a toad we had to adopt because it jumped into the weed whacker. My husband and daughter came home with 10 chickens and 2 ducks in April without thinking about where they were going to live. So as a new chicken parent without the right knowledge they ended up in my basement. IYKYK. I built them a coop from an old metal shed we had and am still making improvements so any advice is appreciated.

(7) Bonus: How did you find BYC, how long have you known about BYC, and what made you finally join our awesome community?
I found this forum when I was researching how to care for chickens and with the surprise edition of 6 more chickens I need help.
 
Hello! Welcome to BYC! There is plenty of info here on coups and caring for chickens. I would offer this advice. Plenty of predators like to try to get at them including some dogs. Use 1/2 inch hardware cloth on any openings that will be open for ventilation or on a run for them. You will need plenty of year round ventilation but above their heads so it won`t be drafty on them if it gets cold where you live. That just barely touches the surface on keeping chickens! Ask questions here, plenty of friendly people willing to help! Good luck with your flock! They will bring you a lot of enjoyment! 😊
 
Bsmac said:
Hello! Welcome to BYC! There is plenty of info here on coups and caring for chickens. I would offer this advice. Plenty of predators like to try to get at them including some dogs. Use 1/2 inch hardware cloth on any openings that will be open for ventilation or on a run for them. You will need plenty of year round ventilation but above their heads so it won`t be drafty on them if it gets cold where you live. That just barely touches the surface on keeping chickens! Ask questions here, plenty of friendly people willing to help! Good luck with your flock! They will bring you a lot of enjoyment! 😊
Click to expand...
I currently have 1/4" hardware cloth on any and all openings, I took out the plexiglass windows and put hardware cloth there instead so I could get some ventilation since metal shed don't have any. I know I need more and am looking for vents to install. I do free range them but they have a run that's secured with 1/2" hardware cloth and I installed a solar powered pop door. I've already had predator problems but only recently and during the day, it is a bobcat displaced by the construction nearby. He attacked a duck who is recovering in an isolated area and I treat his wounds multiple times a day. It also got 2 of my chickens when I was 25ft away from them. They are now confined to the run until the bobcat is trapped and relocated. Their shoop (shed coop) is a 10x12.
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom