Returning with the new laws

[betcdeamfarm]

Hi everyone!

I am a new member, but really a returning member because I haven't been here in 4 or 5 years. I joined last time looking forward to starting my new flock, but then the housing market crashed and we were stuck in our city, which did not allow chickens. Well, I am happy to say that over the last year, in our neighborhood alone, (actually on our block) 3 homes have added chickens to their back yards. We are moving down the street, which is great because our old next door neighbour NEVER would have let us alone having chickens (she hates everything). Although we still have not been able to buy our country home yet, we are still hopeful, and now we are moving where the yard is perfect (surrounded by treeline) and our next door neighbor has chickens.... so I return with a happy heart that now I can really enjoy this site, and get involved.

I am deciding between barred Hollands (my personal choice) or Buff Orpingtons, because that's what my dad had when he was a kid and he has now passed on...Also, my new neighbor's chicken has "back door pasties" and I forgot what to do about that... if anyone can help with that issue, it would be great!

I am so looking forward to being here, and thank you all.... reading through the posts I have so far, I can tell you are all very caring and great people!

Thank you!

 

[sumi]

Hello and welcome to BYC

Glad to hear you are in a place where you can keep chickens finally. You know if you are undecided with breeds you can always get some of each

"Pasties" as in pasty butt? Hold the chick's backside under some slow running lukewarm water to soften it up so you can remove it, dry it and apply some vaseline or olive oil to the area to help prevent a come back. What also helps a lot with this is adding a little raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar (ACV) to their drink water. I add roughly 4-5 tablespoons to a gallon water.

Enjoy your chickens!!

 

[redsoxs]

Greetings from Kansas, betcdeamfarm, and

! Glad you joined (or rejoined us)!! Happy you have done what you needed to do to get chickens. In terms of breed, why not get both? I have a happy mixed flock with 11 different breeds - I love the different colored eggs and individual personalities. I also X2 sumi's advice on pasty butt treatment. Good luck to you and have fun!!

 

[drumstick diva]

Maybe buying a small barnyard mix would work out well for you. You may decide you like a different breed and end up selling those you don't want.

 

[weimarmama]

&

from Alabama. Glad you joined us.

 

[liz9910]

 

[coop-er]

My chicks are 2 weeks old- should I be adding ACV to their water yet? No butt problems but want to prevent any of the many issues chickens seem to be prone to.... Are they too young for acv in their water and does it affect the vitamins I am already putting in the waterer?