Virginia

[real_redhead]

Hi Real-redhead...where about in Roanoke? Two of our 3 sons live in Roanoke City... How many chickens are you allowed to have in the city? Are you enjoying raising chickens? This is my 1st attempt and my chicks will arrive the first of May.

Any words of advice for a beginner ??

I am in South Roanoke. We have had chickens for a year now and love it. We are allowed to have 10 chickens (I thought no roosters but Animal Control said we could...but we won't push it with the neighbors, had a roo when we got chicks last year and found him a home in Franklin Co.) BYC is the best!!! This is where I have learned everything, asked so many questions gotten a lot of advice plus TSC (Tractor Supply Co), when I go in to TSC I know who to ask if I have questions. Best advice is the most secure coop/run you can build, we lost one when they were about 6 weeks old to a opossum then we recently lost 4 (out of 5) a few weeks ago to a neighbors dog, our yard is fenced and they were in the run but the dog jumped the fence and tore open the run, it was chicken wire. So best advice is don't use chicken wire on your run, it needs to be hardwire cloth with very small holes, We have weasels here that can fit thru very small holes (living in the city is no different than the country - weasels seen 2 x's, opossums, raccoons, foxes, and hawks). - We have a resident Hawk named Harry - he likes to sit on the fence or in the Walnut tree and check out the girls, our run is covered so we haven't had a problem with it but I do worry when I let them out in the backyard. Watching chicken TV is the best when you get your chickens and they are outside you will know what I mean. Last summer my husband kept telling me I enjoyed the chickens more than him. I can say they do give me a lot of entertainment. They know when my car pulls in they start clucking or when the back door opens - they want treats!! Chickens are a lot of fun!!

 

[ki4got]

I am in South Roanoke. We have had chickens for a year now and love it. We are allowed to have 10 chickens (I thought no roosters but Animal Control said we could...but we won't push it with the neighbors, had a roo when we got chicks last year and found him a home in Franklin Co.) BYC is the best!!! This is where I have learned everything, asked so many questions gotten a lot of advice plus TSC (Tractor Supply Co), when I go in to TSC I know who to ask if I have questions. Best advice is the most secure coop/run you can build, we lost one when they were about 6 weeks old to a opossum then we recently lost 4 (out of 5) a few weeks ago to a neighbors dog, our yard is fenced and they were in the run but the dog jumped the fence and tore open the run, it was chicken wire. So best advice is don't use chicken wire on your run, it needs to be hardwire cloth with very small holes, We have weasels here that can fit thru very small holes (living in the city is no different than the country - weasels seen 2 x's, opossums, raccoons, foxes, and hawks). - We have a resident Hawk named Harry - he likes to sit on the fence or in the Walnut tree and check out the girls, our run is covered so we haven't had a problem with it but I do worry when I let them out in the backyard. Watching chicken TV is the best when you get your chickens and they are outside you will know what I mean. Last summer my husband kept telling me I enjoyed the chickens more than him. I can say they do give me a lot of entertainment. They know when my car pulls in they start clucking or when the back door opens - they want treats!! Chickens are a lot of fun!!

wow. i know we have predators around but haven't seen anywhere near all that up here in the (nw) county... (on roanoke/montgomery co line). over the last 13 years i've livd here i've seen bear, bobcat, fox, coyote (heard, not seen), and i'd SWEAR i saw a cougar about 5 years ago, but can't prove it. it was road-killed and i had a deadline i was on but stopped on the way back home and it was gone. someone had cleaned the carcass and taken it away.

and of course all the usual birds of prey.

hope your coop is full again, or nearing it.

it's amazing how fast they learn about treats & such... i started letting the chicks out 2 days ago (all pullets), and today the cochins (ok, 3 cochins a frizzle and a red dorking) decided that i was more interesting than the EE's they grew up with. followed me everywhere and had to 'supervise' filling of the 'pond' (aka kiddie pool for the free rangers to drink from), filling the quails' sand bath with new sand, collecting eggs, etc.

love these little fuzzybutts.

 

[mochilee]

wow. i know we have predators around but haven't seen anywhere near all that up here in the (nw) county... (on roanoke/montgomery co line). over the last 13 years i've livd here i've seen bear, bobcat, fox, coyote (heard, not seen), and i'd SWEAR i saw a cougar about 5 years ago, but can't prove it. it was road-killed and i had a deadline i was on but stopped on the way back home and it was gone. someone had cleaned the carcass and taken it away.

Wow. I would have had to stop. We've had bobcat around here (southern Fauquier) but coyotes are usually the biggest predators that we worry about. A pair of hawks raises a brood every year, so my layers can't go up into the open field. Foxes of course. Think the dogs discourage the possums and raccoons. I have a neighbor who used to be a raccoon rehabilitator, and let the coons go down at my pond, but hopefully they headed for new territory

 

[jbok]

So, how was the Gilmanor swap? Anything cool there?

 

[ki4got]

Quote:

So, how was the Gilmanor swap? Anything cool there?

Gilmanor is May 5... still hoping someone in the roanoke/blacksburg/christiansburg area wants to go with to share the gas costs... (i will willingly transport chickens and have room for 3 more people in the truck!)

i'll even stop on the way if someone wants to hitch a ride part way. i'll be going 81 to 64...

 

[jbok]

Lol..Must have been a misunderstanding on my part. I hope to make it then

 

[canesisters]

I just realized that Gilmanor is in ASHLAND! DUH!
Now I'm SOOO excited! Can't wait to get my first chicks!

See yall there!!!

 

[ki4got]

well, as it turns out, looks like i won't be able to make gilmanor either.

i'd already made arrangements to help someone out with a boy scout event and just found out yesterday it's the same day...

 

[branston]

I'm at Chespeake, va 23322. 40 chickens, Just acquired a tom turkey, getting his new girlfriend on Sunday. 3 Nigerian Dwarf Goats, 2 dogs, 3 cats, 2 kids and the hubby.....life is great!

 

[canesisters]

Wow, Branston, sounds like you have your hands full.

Hey - to those going to Gilmanor. I've never been to a chicken swap before. Actually, I don't think I've been to any sort of swap before. What should I expect?
Something sort of like the poultry section of the state fair...????
I've got a few really newbie questions.

I would assume these things pretty much cash only - right? If I'm hoping to try and pick up just a chick or two from several different breeds... should I tote a kitty carrier along with me?? Would that be "frowned upon" for bio-security reasons?? Should I plan to pick out birds - put them in the truck - come back and look some more???

What advice would you give to a first-time-chick-Mom and her first ever chicken swap?