Hi. I'm new to the forum and new to chicken tending. I retired a year and a half ago, a few months after the City of Sacramento made backyard chickens legal. I officially can have 3. I'm actually new to chicken raising as an owner, but grew up around lots of chickens at my grandma's place in Fort Bragg, CA. (Grandma definitely had gotten out of the chicken business by the time she reached my current age). My sister and I would collect the eggs and I still have the egg basket we used, which dates back to my great grandma. My sister and I loved her banties best as they were very tolerant of us teaching them tricks on our hula hoops. I now have an almost 2 year old granddaughter, so decided this is the perfect time in my life to embark on chicken raising.
I bought 5 chicks as 2-5 day olds. My Cream Legbar and Norwegian Jaerhon were easy picks as they definitely are hens. The other 3 are straight run Bantam Cochins (same as Pekins?) and I'm now reaching the 7 week mark. The chicks are thriving in their brooder, a 100 gallon Rubbermaid stock tank. We are looking forward to their move outside to our backyard tomorrow.
My wonderful spouse has wholeheartedly embraced my project. We decided to not keep track of how much this little project is actually costing us. After the initial chick outlay, the cost of accouterments, and especially the DIY two weeks to construct the coop and predator proof pen, we definitely would not break even for decades. Luckily, we have already found the chicks to be worth the work and expense. And, if all else fails and we eventually get out of the chicken business, we could dismantle the coop and easily turn the deluxe run into either a shed (would be hubby's inclination) or add a floor and have a wonderful zen retreat area.
I love the posts and have found backyardchickens to be the best source as we make our way through the myriad of decision making re: our chicken project to date! Many thanks to all.
I bought 5 chicks as 2-5 day olds. My Cream Legbar and Norwegian Jaerhon were easy picks as they definitely are hens. The other 3 are straight run Bantam Cochins (same as Pekins?) and I'm now reaching the 7 week mark. The chicks are thriving in their brooder, a 100 gallon Rubbermaid stock tank. We are looking forward to their move outside to our backyard tomorrow.
My wonderful spouse has wholeheartedly embraced my project. We decided to not keep track of how much this little project is actually costing us. After the initial chick outlay, the cost of accouterments, and especially the DIY two weeks to construct the coop and predator proof pen, we definitely would not break even for decades. Luckily, we have already found the chicks to be worth the work and expense. And, if all else fails and we eventually get out of the chicken business, we could dismantle the coop and easily turn the deluxe run into either a shed (would be hubby's inclination) or add a floor and have a wonderful zen retreat area.
I love the posts and have found backyardchickens to be the best source as we make our way through the myriad of decision making re: our chicken project to date! Many thanks to all.
