Smoky Mtn East TN

[SkylineFarms]

I quit posting on this thread because it became super inactive. I was going to go post on the middle TN thread like everyone else seems to be doing but I just don't feel at home there because I am soooooooo far from middle TN. Nashville is like, 4 hours and 30 mins from me lol. SO I decided I am going to stay on this thread and help to keep it going.

It's been ages since I introduced myself so here it goes again..
I am halfway through getting a B.S. in Biology at ETSU. I'd love to one day be able to study avian diseases and help to create cures and treatments.

I breed LF Salmon Faverolles and D'uccles. I am still working on the D'uccle breeding pen, but I currently have a Splash Golden Neck roo that I am going to put over Mille Fleur and Porcelain hens for Blue Milles and Porcelain splits. I do have one black mottled hen.. don't know what I am going to do with her yet lol. I am hoping to add bantam white Ameraucanas to my list of breeds by next spring.

 

[SkylineFarms]

Union county TN here. We are awaiting our mixed flock chicks. Arrival date is April 9th. We have been busy making a brooder and are about halfway through completing a backyard coop. Nice to hear from others in the area who love chickens.

Good luck with your new chicks! When I first started, I lost a bunch of chicks and chickens to predators. I learned that the more protection you have for your birds, the better. I now have three layers of protection, 1. electric wire, 2. chainlink pen, 3. wooden coop. Well, I guess 4 layers if you count the netting that's draped across the top of the pens. I shut the birds in the coops every night and open them every morning, even though the coop is inside of the chainlink pen. I don't want to take any chances. Honestly though, the line of electric wire has helped to protect them more than anything and I highly recommend it.

 

[termites1938]

Thanks for the advice. Although we raised chickens when we were younger this is the first time raising them in Tennessee. We recently moved from Michigan. We are seriously considering adding electric fencing but have not researched how to do it yet. If you have any recommendations just let me know.

 

[pajamabob]

Thanks for the info! I'll give the hell dept a call for sure. No HOA here, just some close neighbors.

You could probably start by calling your local health department. Are you dealing with an HOA? I ask because, if you are, there isn't really going to be anything you can do. HOAs basically make their own little laws, and they're hard to get changed (because people who choose to live in them vote them that way). If its a town ordinance thing, you might be able to do something about it. Start by calling the health department, if they can't help you, they can at least point you in the right direction

 

[termites1938]

You have beautiful birds. I also thought about posting to the middle Tn thread but was hoping to talk to people closer to my home. We will be starting with 10 chicks that are due to arrive the first week in April. After much research we chose Australorp, Barred Rock, Sussex, RIR and Buckeye. Right now just interested in eggs until we get our flock going. We don't have a lot of land but plan on free ranging as much as possible. We are looking forward to the challenges and rewards of our little chicken adventure.

 

[SkylineFarms]

You have beautiful birds. I also thought about posting to the middle Tn thread but was hoping to talk to people closer to my home. We will be starting with 10 chicks that are due to arrive the first week in April. After much research we chose Australorp, Barred Rock, Sussex, RIR and Buckeye. Right now just interested in eggs until we get our flock going. We don't have a lot of land but plan on free ranging as much as possible. We are looking forward to the challenges and rewards of our little chicken adventure.

Thank you! I have had both Australorps and Barred Rocks and they were both nice birds. Be prepared for LOTS of eggs! I am getting as many as 12 eggs a day and I don't know what to do with all of them! I am trying to sell them for hatching but they're piling up faster than I can sell them. In the mean time we've been making a lot of pound cakes.

I am pretty lucky in that I have free ranged mine for two years and have never had predators mess with them while they are free ranging. I have heard that crows will chase hawks away and we have a large colony of crows that hang out on our property, so I guess that's why hawks have never bothered my chickens? Anyway, mine seem much happier being able to free range and they eat less feed when they are able to supplement their diet with grass and insects.

 

[termites1938]

Do you recommend having a rooster for flock protection or can you get by without one. We don't have any issues with having a rooster but if it adds another layer of protection it may be worthwhile.

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

I have 4 roosters, and even still, if a predator pays me a visit, it seems the hens are the first ones to go. So, you don't need them. I mostly keep them around for breeding purposes and because I like their funny little personalities.

Oh, and I post here and on the Middle Tn thread. I don't really feel like I fit in in either place, so I post on both

 

[SkylineFarms]

I have 4 roosters, and even still, if a predator pays me a visit, it seems the hens are the first ones to go. So, you don't need them. I mostly keep them around for breeding purposes and because I like their funny little personalities.

Oh, and I post here and on the Middle Tn thread. I don't really feel like I fit in in either place, so I post on both

Lol good call.

I've never actually seen my rooster protect the hens from an attack but then again I've never seen an attack take place either, so I couldn't say.

 

[MARANMAN2011]

At night no but during the day he will be there for them.