Possible new chicken person from CT

[CTratterriers]

Hello all! My name is Claire and I live in CT. My sister told me about this forum. I've been considering keeping (is that the correct term?) hens for several months now. My purpose is to have them as pets with the benefit of the fresh eggs. I have fallen in love with the look of the Black Japanese Bantam and the Black Silkie. I am looking for any information about these breeds that you can provide.

FYI...My husband's family had hens when he was a child which was over 40 years ago. So while I am totally new to this, he has some experience.

Thanks.

 

[kidcody]

from washington state glad you joined us!

 

[1muttsfan]

Hi and welcome to BYC from northern Michigan

 

[Kevin565]

 

[4-H chicken mom]

Hi and from Ohio. So glad you joined.

 

[weimarmama]

&

from Alabama. Glad you joined us.

 

[Fierlin1182]

Hello and

"Keeping" is the right word. It might even be the most commonly used... hm, anyway, you should check out the Breeds and genetics section, there are some breed-specific threads in that area you can have a look through.

Good luck!!
Don't hesitate to ask any questions you might have, and enjoy the site.

 

[sumi]

Hello and

 

[bawkbonk]

Hi - I am also in CT. Middletown area. I got 3, day old chicks a month ago and earlier this week I got two adult chickens. I am so happy with my girls, especially the adults, the chicks are cute but not nearly as much fun. If you think you are interested I highly reccomend it. I have always wanted chickens and thought I needed to live on a farm to have them, or at least have acerage without neighbors. Not true. We built a coop using a cedar playhouse from Sams as the framework and adding chicken ammenties. The ladies hang with me in the yard when I'm home and get penned up in the coop area when I go to work. I am neverous about hawks while they are free range but I also have dogs and cats in the yard with me and I'm hoping they will cause the hawks to seek safer hunting grounds. I should add that my yard is fenced in otherwise I would not allow the free range cause they will just keep ranging down the street. Anyway I am so happy with my birds and I say don't wait. Go for it.
I started with two easy cold hardy, good laying breeds, the Rhode Island Red and the Barred Rock. I love the Bantams but they are small therefore can fly over fences and I'd hate to have to clip their wings, the eggs are also small and with my other pets I'm afraid they would become dinner. Do your breed research and choose the qualities that are good for your keeping accomodations. Good Luck.