/ Register

  1. If this is your first time on BYC, we suggest you start with one of these three options:
    Raising Chickens Chicken Coops Join BYC
    If you're already a member of our community, click here to login & click here to learn what's new!

New to the chicken raising (and worrying) world.

Discussion in 'New Member Introductions' started by Chickpeep, Jul 1, 2011.

Most Liked Posts
Page 1 of 3
  1. Jul 1, 2011 #1
    Chickpeep

    Chickpeep Out Of The Brooder

    42
    0
    30
    Jun 29, 2011
    West Kingston
    New owner of 15 RIR chickens and a coop that my wife calls the "Chicken Fortress." She says I over engineer everything. Even had our first chick emergency already. At least what seemed like an emergency to the inexperienced. They are now 9 weeks old, and the first question I here is "When are they going to start laying." The second being "Can I have a dozen."[​IMG] Kinda asking myself the same first question. Mentally I know when they should start laying. My heart tells me another thing.

    The girls have plenty of things and areas to duck under in case of attack from the sky, but........ My trail cam has picked up a Fisher cat around in the wee hours, but the chicken fortress will keep them out. Still after reading so much in the Pred forum, does not make my sleep any easier. I know I am babbling. I want to get to be a happy chicken owner with lots of information from the people in the know on this site. I have already gained a lot of information and help.

    Well thanks for listening to my rambling. God Bless and a Hearty Hi O Silver. I just told you my age for the ones who remember that last part.

    Real World name - Gary [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Jul 1, 2011
  3. Jul 1, 2011 #2
    breezychick

    breezychick Out Of The Brooder

    52
    0
    29
    Apr 22, 2011
    Texas
    [​IMG] So glad you could join! I know what you are taking about with the chicken fortress! My husband does the same thing.
     
  5. Jul 1, 2011 #3
    ChicKat

    ChicKat Overrun With Chickens Premium Member

    7,681
    800
    376
    May 20, 2011
    Texas - right here at the computer, right now....
    Gary Welcome!

    I too am a member of the worry club.

    Have you considered 'solar night eyes'. Mine have two flashing red LEDs that come on when it gets dark. They are solar charged, magnetic backed plastic. I'm not sure if a Fisher Cat would be scared off.... It does make me feel better knowing they are out there flashing on the side of the run. They can also be screwed in. Having a chicken fortress is really a good idea. Keep those predators out.

    Eggs....Let's see...9-weeks old means about 3 1/2 or 4 months to wait it out. tick, tick, tick. With RIR you will be getting a lot of eggs from 15 chickens.

    Do you have a cover over your run?
     
    Last edited: Jul 1, 2011
  7. Jul 1, 2011 #4
    texasgal

    texasgal Brood with an Attitude

    8,666
    12
    278
    Apr 18, 2009
    A big Texas-sized [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  9. Jul 1, 2011 #5
    ghillie

    ghillie Hen Pecked

    2,664
    4
    171
    Nov 13, 2008
    Colorado Springs, Co
    [​IMG]
     
  11. Jul 1, 2011 #6
    rancher hicks

    rancher hicks Chicken Obsessed

    17,569
    726
    416
    Feb 28, 2009
    Syracuse, NY
    [​IMG] From Syracuse, NY. Gary it would be good to know where you are from. Lots of folks from all over and what works here in the cold state won't work in the warm states or might not. Hope you get that Fisher thing before it gets your chickens.

    Take care and enjoy the insanity,

    rancher
     
  13. Jul 1, 2011 #7
    dawg53

    dawg53 Humble

    23,342
    1,204
    448
    Nov 27, 2008
    Jacksonville, Florida
    Welcome to BYC. Over engineering a "chicken fortress" is a good thing.
     
  15. Jul 1, 2011 #8
    BayouPoules

    BayouPoules Chillin' With My Peeps

    1,291
    0
    141
    Aug 13, 2010
    Lacombe, Louisiana
    My Coop
    Quote:Amen!
    dawg53 took the words right out of my mouth!


    You will love it here on BYC! [​IMG] Welcome from Louisiana
     
  17. Jul 1, 2011 #9
    Barred Babies

    Barred Babies Red Roof Farms

    10,510
    14
    281
    Sep 20, 2009
    Pride, La.
    [​IMG] & [​IMG] from Louisiana!!
     
  19. Jul 1, 2011 #10
    Cadjien_De_Louisiane

    Cadjien_De_Louisiane SWLA Gamefowl Breeder

    1,881
    28
    166
    Apr 18, 2011
    Welsh, LA
    Welcome
     
Page 1 of 3

BackYard Chickens is proudly sponsored by