- Jul 16, 2014
- 6
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Hi there!
I've been lurking BYC for the past year and finally decided to make an account to ask a few specific questions and get involved in the community.
(1) Are you new to chickens / when did you first get chickens?
DH and I got our first chickens last spring. They were NH Reds we bought from the pullet bin at Tractor Supply, but wouldn't you know it, they were ALL cocks! We harvested the first rooster because he was aggressive and really loud, but as soon as he was gone, a new rooster emerged! He was picking on the "hens" so we figured he was not any good for protection, etc. Harvested him and a third one rose up. At this point we slaughtered the three remaining birds and all had balls. That was really disappointing.
(2) How many chickens do you have right now?
Last fall we mail ordered a dozen Barred Rocks and Golden Buffs (I think?). We were brooding them seperatly in a shed in our yard and one night a coon got in and killed all the buffs. Ended up with six barred rocks who started laying this April. So sad that the heat took two of them last week. So we're down to four. Ordering more soon!
We also did an experiment with broliers and currently have 15 in a mobile pen in the side yard. Harvested 5 two weeks ago and they were great! Need to take these guys out asap. Got another 20 Red Ranger's brooding now.
(3) What breeds do you have?
Barred Rock, Cornish Cross and Red Ranger.
(4) How did you find out about BackYardChickens.com?
Google - always came up as a top result whenever I had a question.
(5) What are some of your other hobbies?
Homesteading: gardening, knitting, housekeeping, reading
(6) Tell us about your family, your other pets, your occupation, or anything else you'd like to share.
Our families think we're nuts. We're in a suburban neighborhood with a dense Latino population. A lot of our neighbors have chickens, but no one of our social circle does. We also have goats - as soon as we bought property, we were like, "this is ours, let's do what we want with it!" Sometimes I wish our yard looked like my friends' manicured lawns and all, but it's not a priority. We're renovating our old house first.
ETA: Can someone tell me how to get those little animated smiley faces everyone uses? I love them!
I've been lurking BYC for the past year and finally decided to make an account to ask a few specific questions and get involved in the community.
(1) Are you new to chickens / when did you first get chickens?
DH and I got our first chickens last spring. They were NH Reds we bought from the pullet bin at Tractor Supply, but wouldn't you know it, they were ALL cocks! We harvested the first rooster because he was aggressive and really loud, but as soon as he was gone, a new rooster emerged! He was picking on the "hens" so we figured he was not any good for protection, etc. Harvested him and a third one rose up. At this point we slaughtered the three remaining birds and all had balls. That was really disappointing.
(2) How many chickens do you have right now?
Last fall we mail ordered a dozen Barred Rocks and Golden Buffs (I think?). We were brooding them seperatly in a shed in our yard and one night a coon got in and killed all the buffs. Ended up with six barred rocks who started laying this April. So sad that the heat took two of them last week. So we're down to four. Ordering more soon!
We also did an experiment with broliers and currently have 15 in a mobile pen in the side yard. Harvested 5 two weeks ago and they were great! Need to take these guys out asap. Got another 20 Red Ranger's brooding now.
(3) What breeds do you have?
Barred Rock, Cornish Cross and Red Ranger.
(4) How did you find out about BackYardChickens.com?
Google - always came up as a top result whenever I had a question.
(5) What are some of your other hobbies?
Homesteading: gardening, knitting, housekeeping, reading
(6) Tell us about your family, your other pets, your occupation, or anything else you'd like to share.
Our families think we're nuts. We're in a suburban neighborhood with a dense Latino population. A lot of our neighbors have chickens, but no one of our social circle does. We also have goats - as soon as we bought property, we were like, "this is ours, let's do what we want with it!" Sometimes I wish our yard looked like my friends' manicured lawns and all, but it's not a priority. We're renovating our old house first.
ETA: Can someone tell me how to get those little animated smiley faces everyone uses? I love them!
Last edited:
In our flock, we have no pecking order!
and Welcome To BYC!