Hi,
In case you missed my post in the newbie thread a few days ago, I thought I'd introduce myself here.
I live over in NE Shoreline, WA and have wanted chickens for 20+ years, but it hasn't happened yet. I'm looking forward to meeting all my fellow Washingtonians here on this thread. I'm an East Coast transplant, but have lived here for 21 years. And I'm very nice.
I used to be very active! I hiked, biked, bird-watched, danced, sang in a chorus, socialized, and, oh yeah, worked AND went to grad school at the same time. But due to a disability (we're calling it CFS, since the docs can't find the cause), my life has shrunken down hugely. Mostly I'm home all day--on a good day can drive a mile or so to go shopping, and on a great day go over to the waterfront to enjoy beautiful Puget Sound. Friends, family, and my sweet, petite senior cat Fuzzy keep me sane. The Anna's hummingbirds that frequent my feeder help, too.
I guess you can say I'm a tad eccentric, because back when I was in college, I subscribed to Countryside Magazine and Dairy Goat Journal (love goats!), and in my sophomore year built a chicken coop in my room, then bought two pullets from a butcher shop. I thought I was getting chicks! But I didn't want to "put them back", even though they were two hefty, fully-feathered white rocks. One day, they jumped out of their pen, up onto my bed (where I was studying for a test), and after jostling for a while, the alpha ended up on my shoulder and the beta in my lap. I was hooked. They got to live a full life at a neighbor's house, roaming the yard during the day, filling up on salad and bugs, and giving him huge eggs.
I've been living in an apartment for the past 9 years, and noticed that more and more people are talking about having house chickens. I've also read that buff orpingtons and faverolles are affectionate and gentle breeds, and wondered if one or two would be happy as indoor birds (with deck privileges and maybe leash walks). I'm not particularly concerned about egg production. Just want some chicken cuddles and love that soft, busy clucking that they make. I've also thought about silkies, but wondered if they're small enough as adults to bring out the prey drive in Fuzzy, the cat.
I'm curious to know if anyone on the thread has had a good experience with having a hen or two as a pet.
Lastly, wishing everyone sun and warmth as Junuary hovers over many of us!
Thank you for reading!