) What breeds do you have?

[auroaSfarm]

Watch them walk around look as close as you can for mites and such. Hold one if you can to feel if thin. Ask about laying habits and age and such.

Thanks, first time doing this a bit nervous.

 

[cppeace]

Go with your gut and you're welcome!

 

[drumstick diva]

Please check out the predator threads for ways to safeguard your flock. If you free range, that can be the problem.

 

[Debra Brown]

Debra, are they getting them at night? Do you have enclosed coops and runs?

Yes at night , I have a walk in hen house that has a chain link fence around it i putting a electric fence around it didn't help

 

[Debra Brown]

Debra, are they getting them at night? Do you have enclosed coops and runs?

Yes at night , I have a walk in hen house that has a chain link fence around it i putting a electric fence around it didn't help

 

[SunHwaKwon]

Yes at night , I have a walk in hen house that has a chain link fence around it i putting a electric fence around it didn't help

A lot of things can get through, under, and over chain link. Start a thread and post pics of your setup in the predators part of the forum. Also make sure your coop is secure and you are closing it up every evening.

 

[rjohns39]

Hi and welcome to BYC My signature has my birds, but add Hollands. I'm a big fan of 1/2" welded wire on the bottom and preimere1 fencing. https://www.premier1supplies.com/poultry/fencing.php?fence_id=30

 

[Crooked Chicken]

Hello! I am new here and new to keeping chickens. I retired last year and moved to the country, bringing my elderly parents with me. I have been yearning for chickens for a long time, but wanted to wait until I had a safe and secure place for them.

Chick sales were coming to an end at the local farm supply stores before I could begin building a new coop, so I ran out and got a dozen chicks the first week of May. I spent the next month or so patching up an old coop while my chicks were living in my kitchen.

My original plan was to have just a few, but came home with 4 Rhode Island Red, 2 Barred Plymouth Rock, 2 Buff Orpington and 4 Ameraucana. All of the chicks were supposed to be pullets, but 3 are roosters and I love them all to pieces. About a week later I brought home 2 Pekin ducklings for my mom.

I handled the chicks quite a bit and after a couple of weeks began taking them to the backyard where I enclosed a small area with wire. I toted all 12 in and out of the house in a laundry basket. As they got bigger they would line up on the back steps and bring themselves in. So cute! I still pick them up and give them snuggles. One of my Ameracauna roosters is the most relaxed and will quickly fall asleep in my arms. He is also very hormonal and trying to mate all of the hens even though he seems to be at the lowest end of the rooster pecking order.

Looking forward to reading all about everyones chickens!

 

[Crooked Chicken]

What should I look out for when I buy chickens from not a farmers store, like Craigslist? Lol I'd like to know if they're healthy before I buy them.

That's a great question! I am new to this also, so this is just my opinion as I'm not an expert. I looked for chicks that appeared healthy -- active and eating, those that climb over the others. I wanted to avoid those that weren't very active or had obvious diarrhea or caked on poop. In fact, if the bin has multiple chicks that actually appear sick I would not buy any of them out of that bin.

 

[auroaSfarm]

Bought 2 Wyandotte's silver laced and 1 Americauna, the wyandotte can be a bit mean to the americauana but it is a hate and love relationship lol