Thank You!

[Mearced]

This is my first post in Backyard Chickens even though I've been lurking here on & off for about 1-1/2 years! Back then we started with 3 full grown hens and 1 rooster (housewarming gifts from our realtor)! Last September we decided to raise chicks of our own since we fell in love with raising chickens. We built a bigger coop and ordered 15 baby chicks - a variety of heritage breeds. We fell in love with all our birds but lost a couple along the way. Then last week 2 wild dogs came through and wiped out 1/2 our flock. I wept as I found each dead bird. The rooster tried to defend his hens but was badly wounded and died a couple hours later. We so miss all our chickens! We've been trying to find a local hatchery to buy chicks and have been reading up on how to eventually incorporate little ones into an existing flock since we still have 7 hens.
So thank you for the wealth of information that you all provide! It's been so helpful since we were truly newbies to raising chickens.
Any hints on how to do a search for local hatcheries?
Thanks again for this community!

 

[drumstick diva]

Go to the "where am I, where are you' forum then post your questions on your state thread. That way you will get answers tailored to you vicinity. Good luck with your search

 

[1muttsfan]

Hi and welcome to BYC from northern Michigan

There is also a thread on hatcheries in the Forum in the Chicken Breeds section. Sorry to hear about your lost birds.

 

[redsoxs]

Greetings from Kansas, Mearced, and

! Happy you joined us but sorry to hear about your lost birds! Dogs are the predator I fear the most when it comes to big losses as they don't just snatch a bird and run off - they devastate the entire flock! I wish you the best in finding some replacements! Hang in there!

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

Hello, and welcome to BYC!!

Glad to have you aboard!!