Newbie to the forum and to raising hens

[ScouterJoe]

Hello all. I have very recently taken in 3 hens, all about a year old. Last year my girlfriend decided she had to have them and purchased them as young pullets from Tractor Supply. I don't know the breed. She took them home and asked me if I knew how to build a coop. I didn't, but I built a small coop and run anyway. She kept them for a year and decided she couldn't keep them in her subdivision anymore. I live in 7 acres of woods on the border of Ohio and Michigan near Toledo, Ohio. No neighbors, so I now have them here. I know very little. I know if I give them food in one end, I'll get eggs from the other. I'm enjoying them immensly. I got a huge kick out of watching them eat mosquitos right out the the air! Go girls go! I have stray cats around as well as some huge racoons, as well as squirrel, coyote, deer and various other critters in the area. I can use all the help I can get. Thanks in advance for your patience with my newbie questions to come.

 

[3chimama]

A big HELLO from Oregon. Watch out for those coons. They love chickens. I have to lock my girls up tight each night to keep them safe.

 

[weimarmama]

&

from Alabama.

 

[chi-rn]

Welcome from eastern North Carolina! Work hard to predator-proof your coop as soon as possible. Lots of ideas on this site.

 

[Tres Amigas]

from the great Inland Empire! We're also relative newbies, but this is the best place for us newbies! I'm nowhere near as wise in the ways of chickenkeeping as some BYCers here, but feeling like I can offer you .02 cents from some of what I've learned from the Wise Ones (they know who they are) here: 1) Chicken wire keeps chickens in, but nothing out...welded wire/hardware cloth is your best bet; 2) Chickens don't get "colds." 3) "SSS" = shoot, shovel & shuttup; 4) Never keep a bad roo....there are plenty of good ones and finally 5) It's not rocket science and there's always plenty of sound advice to be found here - there are no dumb questions!

Best of luck!

 

[dawg53]

Welcome to BYC.

 

[jtbrown]

. Spent some time in your end of the state while in school, loved it beautiful area, great hiking at the Toledo metro parks. Welcome, this is the best place for friendly advice.

 

[Chickencoop1996]

 

[b.hromada]

and

from S. Florida! Glad you joined us!

 

[4-H chicken mom]

and

from Ohio. So glad you joined.