Newbie

PrincessCleo

Chirping
Jul 18, 2018
11
12
59
South Central Washington, USA
My name is Jennifer and I live in Washington state, near the Columbia River Gorge.

(1) Are you new to chickens / when did you first get chickens?

I am new to owning chickens, but I have helped my mother-in-law with hers over the years. I will have my first flock in a few weeks. My mother-in-law is giving me some of her chickens to get me started. These chickens are all older, around 7 or 8 years old. The plan is for them to be my starters and then hatch some eggs in the spring. I figure the old ladies can teach the youngins how to chicken. :lol:

(2) How many chickens do you have right now?
When the chickens come to live with me there will be one rooster and probably 4, maybe 5 hens.

(3) What breeds do you have?
The rooster is an Icebar (sp?) and the hens are easter eggers.

(4) How did you find out about BackYardChickens.com?
My mother-in-law and several of my friends have all told me about the site.

(5) What are some of your other hobbies?
I knit, sew, play video games, cook, bake, garden, color. Pretty much anything that uses my hands.

(6) Tell us about your family, your other pets, your occupation, or anything else you'd like to share.
I have a husband and a mini-me in the form of a son. We have three indoor cats and several stray cats that hang around our area that we feed. I'm a stay at home mom. My son is very excited that we are getting chickens. He always loves helping Gramma take care of the chickens when we visit.
 
I wouldn't expect too much from hens that age - they may be finished laying eggs already. If they are not broody breeds, they won't sit and hatch any eggs either. If your son is a toddler or even somewhat older, roosters can be dangerous to have around.

I would be very watchful of cats. You cannot keep an eye on all of them.
 
These ladies are still laying, though they are not as prolific of layers as they used to be. If I get a few eggs a week I'll be happy. And even then I'm not too concerned. I have no problem running a chicken retirement home. :lol::D My mother-in-law has a really nice incubator so we'll be hatching them that way.

This rooster is a really chill rooster. My mother-in-law wouldn't have let him hang around as long as he has if he wasn't. All the naughty and nasty roosters go to Freezer Camp. My son is 4 and is very good with animals, but I never leave him with them unsupervised. I plan on giving them some time to settle in before letting him in with them.

We have a pen and a coop we are setting up for them. They will not be allowed to roam completely free for their own safety. We have far too many large raptors around here. Last thing I need is for a Golden Eagle or something to fly off with one of my chickens.
 

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