Treecritter
In the Brooder
I have been working with animals, mostly domestics (cats, dogs), native species (rehab, relocation) and exotic reptiles for my entire life, professionally over 40 years now and am fabulous with animal husbandry. Until this last year I have never lived where we were legally allowed to keep chickens....and was pleasantly surprised to just learn a month or so ago we are legal here in the city for hens. Talk about excitement and mental overdrive this last month as I prepared to bring home chickens of my own for the first time ever.
It all started a month ago when I came home to find 4 neighbor hens in my side yard. I went to my supply of black sunflower seeds that I keep for local natives and tossed a handful for the girls.....they went nuts saying thank you! Wasn't long before I heard their owner up the street calling out "here chick chick chick...here chick chick chick" I called out to him to come on over. It was the start of what will probably be a very nice friendship. He brought a half dozen beautiful eggs after he got them rounded up to say thank you. We had omelettes for supper that evening.
My husband took a little convincing that BYC would be a smart move, but gentle reminder of that omelette is all it took. I have spent the last month researching, preparing and hoping that I will be successful with chickens too! 3 days ago was THE day.
Knowledge in head, money in pocket I headed down to our local TSC with my fingers crossed that they still had some of the RIR pullets I had my heart set on from last visit a week prior. Oops, another lesson learned, my local TSC sells out chicks FAST. Came out very deflated and empty handed with a delivery schedule. First delivery day I called...no chicks. Next day called...they were in! Headed over there and wound up buying 6 straight run chicks, the only pullets were Leghorns......mmmmmm. Decided to pick up 2 RIR and 4 SLW.....brought them home and am off and running!
These chicks have only been here a couple of days and I am beyond delighted with their little chicken personalities now. At the store I knew they had just arrived and my selection was based on which ones were eagerly eating and drinking. I weighed them all in, check their vent and umbilicals for any signs of problems and am certain that a couple of them like to be held and have finger rubs under wings and necks...am I crazy? I love this as I want pets in addition to eggs. I put my hand in their brooder and they all come running to investigate....I LOVE this!
Ok...this is the start of my chicken story....I suspect it will be a long one. Glad to have found this site and forum, looking forward to sharing this joy with everyone.
It all started a month ago when I came home to find 4 neighbor hens in my side yard. I went to my supply of black sunflower seeds that I keep for local natives and tossed a handful for the girls.....they went nuts saying thank you! Wasn't long before I heard their owner up the street calling out "here chick chick chick...here chick chick chick" I called out to him to come on over. It was the start of what will probably be a very nice friendship. He brought a half dozen beautiful eggs after he got them rounded up to say thank you. We had omelettes for supper that evening.
My husband took a little convincing that BYC would be a smart move, but gentle reminder of that omelette is all it took. I have spent the last month researching, preparing and hoping that I will be successful with chickens too! 3 days ago was THE day.
Knowledge in head, money in pocket I headed down to our local TSC with my fingers crossed that they still had some of the RIR pullets I had my heart set on from last visit a week prior. Oops, another lesson learned, my local TSC sells out chicks FAST. Came out very deflated and empty handed with a delivery schedule. First delivery day I called...no chicks. Next day called...they were in! Headed over there and wound up buying 6 straight run chicks, the only pullets were Leghorns......mmmmmm. Decided to pick up 2 RIR and 4 SLW.....brought them home and am off and running!
These chicks have only been here a couple of days and I am beyond delighted with their little chicken personalities now. At the store I knew they had just arrived and my selection was based on which ones were eagerly eating and drinking. I weighed them all in, check their vent and umbilicals for any signs of problems and am certain that a couple of them like to be held and have finger rubs under wings and necks...am I crazy? I love this as I want pets in addition to eggs. I put my hand in their brooder and they all come running to investigate....I LOVE this!
Ok...this is the start of my chicken story....I suspect it will be a long one. Glad to have found this site and forum, looking forward to sharing this joy with everyone.
and Welcome To BYC!
