(1) Are you new to chickens / when did you first get chickens?
I'm a 61 year old farmer and have had chickens in my yard for 34 years ;-)
(2) How many chickens do you have right now?
13 birds this year. I had a flock of 22 chickens and 4 guineas get slaughtered in one night when a racoon broke into the chicken coop after having had 8 years of predator-free living on my current farm. The birds were all about 2 yrs old. Their replacement flock also got wiped by we think a weasel, and I've caught a bobcat coming and going on my wildlife camera after that. So now the dang coop is like Fort Knox with an automatic door and solar electric wires!!
(3) What breeds do you have?
Marans, Prairie Blue, Orpington (but probably mislabeled at Tractor Supply) they are buff with a black-feathered neck ring and black tail feathers- can't find a breed like them online. Any suggestions?
(4) What are your favorite aspects of raising backyard chickens?
Love to watch the antics & have organic eggs from the happiest free range chickens you can imagine! Collecting pretty feathers is a bonus too ;-)
(5) What are some of your other hobbies?
Medicinal Herb Farmer- don't make enough money at it to call it a business!! But it consumes most of my time and efforts...
(6) Tell us about your family, your other pets, your occupation, or anything else you'd like to share.
Love my 4 cats, dog and life on a 21 acre farm near Asheville NC!!
(7) Bonus: How did you find BYC, how long have you known about BYC, and what made you finally join our awesome community?
Have known about you for years, just never took the time to join. Would like to share my 34 years of experience as well as some herbal remedies I've had success with.
I'm a 61 year old farmer and have had chickens in my yard for 34 years ;-)
(2) How many chickens do you have right now?
13 birds this year. I had a flock of 22 chickens and 4 guineas get slaughtered in one night when a racoon broke into the chicken coop after having had 8 years of predator-free living on my current farm. The birds were all about 2 yrs old. Their replacement flock also got wiped by we think a weasel, and I've caught a bobcat coming and going on my wildlife camera after that. So now the dang coop is like Fort Knox with an automatic door and solar electric wires!!
(3) What breeds do you have?
Marans, Prairie Blue, Orpington (but probably mislabeled at Tractor Supply) they are buff with a black-feathered neck ring and black tail feathers- can't find a breed like them online. Any suggestions?
(4) What are your favorite aspects of raising backyard chickens?
Love to watch the antics & have organic eggs from the happiest free range chickens you can imagine! Collecting pretty feathers is a bonus too ;-)
(5) What are some of your other hobbies?
Medicinal Herb Farmer- don't make enough money at it to call it a business!! But it consumes most of my time and efforts...
(6) Tell us about your family, your other pets, your occupation, or anything else you'd like to share.
Love my 4 cats, dog and life on a 21 acre farm near Asheville NC!!
(7) Bonus: How did you find BYC, how long have you known about BYC, and what made you finally join our awesome community?
Have known about you for years, just never took the time to join. Would like to share my 34 years of experience as well as some herbal remedies I've had success with.
predators are brutal!
to have you here with us. Enjoy your time here at BYC!
