Official BYC Poll: How Long Have You Been Raising Chickens?

[Hensry]

Had chickens as a kid a couple of times... opossums and dog got them. 5 yrs ago bought some as a retirement project. Built a predator proof coop.

Let’s see the coop?

 

[Chixme]

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How many of our peeps are really new to raising chickens and how many are old-timers?

In addition to answering the poll, please reply with some fun details, like:

What got you interested in raising chickens?
Did you ever "take a break" and not have chickens?
What breeds did you start with, how many, and do you have any pictures to share?

I just started in Nov. with 3 pullets. Two Rhode Island Reds, one Plymouth Rock. He turned out to be a rooster so I had to get rid of him. We are not zoned for roosters. He is now living at our local animal shelter. My two girls are not laying yet but I can’t wait!! They are so fun to watch. I’m realizing I just stand at the back door and watch them peck around. My parents had chickens on their property a few years ago, so I know the basics on how to take care of them. I am so thankful for this group, I’ve been reading all kinds of topics on raising chickens.

 

[Hensry]

6 years ago we were given a basic, drafty coop and some Rhode Island Reds from friends who were moving. These free rangers lasted a while but we had several mishaps, laziness not shutting the coop, night time predators, neighborhood dogs, went through 2 new batches of chicks, once raised Cornish Cross for meat. Our latest layers are 2.5 years old, they have a nice run and coop I built. Moved them with us from the mountains to the valley and haven’t lost a single hen since building my predator proof run. My family of 6 finds so much delight in our “Chickies”. I’m pleased with my watering and feeding system that allows me weekly maintenance and refuse to ever buy eggs again. I never knew chickens are such wonderful pets and feel empowered that I can give them my scraps and they give me omelette, quiches, and crepes!

UPDATE: currently I have mostly sex-linked (x5), cuckoo maran (x2), and a buff orphington. And I love them.

 

[Lynn Woehrle]

I've been raising chickens for 21 years. Also had a goose who lived 17 years and a couple of ducks that lived about 10 years. Loved them all!

 

[Yvette Osborne]

I started with 2 hybrid birds in 2001 after attending a chicken keeping course at my local farm. I absolutely loved it. Chickens are so easy, I didn't really need the course, but it was great fun, all the same. Since then I have rescued many chickens via The British Hen Welfare Trust (who take factory/barn hens), I've had a few Indian Runner Ducks and have hatched out my own bantams and standard chickens in an incubator and guinea fowl from a broody. 2 years ago I started with quail, which has been interesting. They are so different from chickens and are quite nervous creatures, so much interaction was needed to calm them. They eat from my hand now and are calm around me. Al the time I am blessed with a home to allow me the space to have chickens, I will have them for life. Just love them

 

[Molpet]

Let’s see the coop?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/mos-cattle-panel-hoop-coops.73385/

 

[Kimitz]

View attachment 2009564​

How many of our peeps are really new to raising chickens and how many are old-timers?

In addition to answering the poll, please reply with some fun details, like:

What got you interested in raising chickens?
Did you ever "take a break" and not have chickens?
What breeds did you start with, how many, and do you have any pictures to share?

We've had lots of ticks in our area, I'd been reading about chickens, getting more and more interested and the bonus is they eat ticks. I've had chickens for almost 2 years now. I didn't pick breeds for amount of eggs, I wanted interesting breeds. I started with 2 Blue Andalusians, 2 Silver Spangled Hamburgs, 2 Orpingtons, and 2 sex links. The next year I bought 4 Polish. To date I did lose some chickens, 1 to a predator I don't know what, 3 to a Gosshawk, and one died abruptly for an unknown reason. Presently I have 6 hens and one Polish Rooster (who was an accident but I love him)!

 

[kwhites634]

View attachment 2009564​

How many of our peeps are really new to raising chickens and how many are old-timers?

In addition to answering the poll, please reply with some fun details, like:

What got you interested in raising chickens?
Did you ever "take a break" and not have chickens?
What breeds did you start with, how many, and do you have any pictures to share?

Son & DIL came for a visit & came back from the local carnival with several peeps. They bought feed, supplies, & cobbled together a quick pen, then went home to WI, leaving me to care for a bunch of critters I never intended on having. Pretty much been in the chicken business ever since, & love it.

 

[HHomestead]

View attachment 2009564​

How many of our peeps are really new to raising chickens and how many are old-timers?

In addition to answering the poll, please reply with some fun details, like:

What got you interested in raising chickens?
Did you ever "take a break" and not have chickens?
What breeds did you start with, how many, and do you have any pictures to share?

I have been interested for a couple decades but never had the place to raise them. We were finally able to get started this last September with our 7 year old.

We started with 3 Buff Orpingtons, 2 Blue Sapphires, 1 Cream Legbar, and 1 Black Astralorp.
We lost 1 of the Blues already so we are down to 6 hens.
Last month we started getting eggs and we are now up to 3-4 per day with only 4 of the hens laying. Our Dixie Rose, the Astralorp, is laying one egg everyday!

 

[Hanyssa]

Bought a house a year ago that came with 3 chickens (1 Australorp & 2 Barred Rocks). They free ranged daily. 2 were killed by hawks and one just disappeared.

Now addicted to having chickens, I upgraded the coop/run and got 7 chicks. 3 Easter Eggers, 2 Olive Eggers, 1 Lavender Orpington and 1 Salmon Faverolle.

They just started laying 2 weeks ago. It’s so fun to have colored eggs!!