Marilynszoo
Chirping
Hi everyone, I've been reading posts, learning better ways to take care of chickens as well as being entertained. Thank you to everyone for taking the time to educate and entertain all of us. I first had chickens in my early 20's when I happened into a feed store where they had chicks for sale. I bought two Plymouth Rock pullets and named them Henny and Penny. I knew nothing about keeping chickens. Thankfully, I lived in Mt. Dora, Florida where I grew up; it was warm and my parents had a big yard. They lived in a large cardboard box 'til they outgrew it, then they free ranged in the yard. They roosted in an old rabbit hutch. They were wonderful friendly hens who layed large brown eggs; one layed double yolked eggs every time!
Many years went by, many moves, but no more chickens until about 10 years ago after my husband, our son and I moved to east Tennessee. Our daughter was in college in Nashville not too far away. My husband had never had chickens or even been around any, but he was willing to build a coop and run so we could keep a few. We live way out in the country surrounded by woods, near Lake Norris. We asked about buying chicks at the local CO-OP and were directed to a man who sold chicks. We bought six; kept them in a box with a heat lamp 'til they got big enough for the coop. Four turned out to be black and white roosters, not sure of the breed, maybe Plymouth Rock like the two I had. The two pullets were black, maybe Australorps. We let them free range during the day, got more chicks, added on to the coop. Things were great until the foxes and coyotes discovered our flock. We had only built a small run so continued letting them wander. After loosing most of our flock to predators we gave the last ones away along with the coop. Several years went by. Last year I got the chicken bug again and started planning how to keep them safe. I did a lot of reading online, here on BYC and other pages. I drew up plans for a much more secure and larger coop and run. I started looking for chicks, but it was late summer and I couldn't find any locally. I decided to order day old chicks from Ideal Poultry. I ordered 18; 5 Ameraucana/Easter eggers, 5 Salmon Faverolles, 3 asst. Cochins, 3 asst, Polish crested and 2 Silver-laced Wyandottes. They arrived a day and a half after they were shipped last September 1st, all healthy. I was very happy with Ideal.
They lived in appliance boxes in a spare bathroom for about 6 weeks. I used "mama's heating pad" which I learned about on BYC, and it worked wonderfully. They are about 20 weeks old now, all doing great, 15 pullets and 3 roosters(only ordered one).
I am hoping to get a couple Lavender Orpingtons this spring.
Our daughter still lives in Nashville, and our son has married and lives in Kentucky. So, it's just my husband and I, 18 chickens, 7 dogs, 2 cats, 2 cockatiels, a flying squirrel and 7 pond fish here in east Tennessee enjoying life!
Many years went by, many moves, but no more chickens until about 10 years ago after my husband, our son and I moved to east Tennessee. Our daughter was in college in Nashville not too far away. My husband had never had chickens or even been around any, but he was willing to build a coop and run so we could keep a few. We live way out in the country surrounded by woods, near Lake Norris. We asked about buying chicks at the local CO-OP and were directed to a man who sold chicks. We bought six; kept them in a box with a heat lamp 'til they got big enough for the coop. Four turned out to be black and white roosters, not sure of the breed, maybe Plymouth Rock like the two I had. The two pullets were black, maybe Australorps. We let them free range during the day, got more chicks, added on to the coop. Things were great until the foxes and coyotes discovered our flock. We had only built a small run so continued letting them wander. After loosing most of our flock to predators we gave the last ones away along with the coop. Several years went by. Last year I got the chicken bug again and started planning how to keep them safe. I did a lot of reading online, here on BYC and other pages. I drew up plans for a much more secure and larger coop and run. I started looking for chicks, but it was late summer and I couldn't find any locally. I decided to order day old chicks from Ideal Poultry. I ordered 18; 5 Ameraucana/Easter eggers, 5 Salmon Faverolles, 3 asst. Cochins, 3 asst, Polish crested and 2 Silver-laced Wyandottes. They arrived a day and a half after they were shipped last September 1st, all healthy. I was very happy with Ideal.
They lived in appliance boxes in a spare bathroom for about 6 weeks. I used "mama's heating pad" which I learned about on BYC, and it worked wonderfully. They are about 20 weeks old now, all doing great, 15 pullets and 3 roosters(only ordered one).
I am hoping to get a couple Lavender Orpingtons this spring.
Our daughter still lives in Nashville, and our son has married and lives in Kentucky. So, it's just my husband and I, 18 chickens, 7 dogs, 2 cats, 2 cockatiels, a flying squirrel and 7 pond fish here in east Tennessee enjoying life!
