Brand new chicken mom

[Eggscaping]

Hello all!

One day in March, we were driving home from school, and decided to stop by a local ranch. We came home with a beautiful and friendly hen (Joyce) and her 6 chicks. https://www.instagram.com/p/BwYWX98gghG/

I thought “oh, I can put them in the old dog run and rabbit hutch on the side of the house.” It was great in theory, but we lost two chicks, so I had to come up with a new plan real quick. Now I’ve chicken-wired in the lower level of our old swingset/playhouse, and made tunnels around the yard, so the chickens can safely run around without eating my garden or getting eaten by the many local predators.

Since then, we have adopted another round of 5 chicks, who were hatched in a classroom. I’d hoped Joyce would adopt them while she was broody last month. She didn’t take them, but she did stop brooding and go back to her own babes.

The first four babies are big now, about 16 weeks I think. I think I have two hens and two roosters. I don’t know the breed of any of my birds Every time I have had a question, my search has ended here, so I decided to join.

A little more about me: I am also a mom to 2 humans, 5 cats, 2 turtles, a leopard gecko and some fish. I have fostered/adopted rabbits, tortoises, birds, snakes, mice, rats, hamsters, dogs, and frogs. I have always loved animals, and now I love chickens too! The only downside is waking up so early.

I have one big question that hasn’t been answered, so I will add it to a forum and hope it isn’t too repetitive! Thanks!

Welcome to BackYardChickens! So glad to have you here in our wonderful community of friendly, helpful, knowledgeable people!

 

[Celticdragonfly]

Oh?? What’s your trick? Joyce cries every morning at 5:45

I had a coop and run built for me, and they're both as predator proof as can be made - so the door between the coop and run can stay open. They get up when they want to, and there's food and water waiting in the run. Teen daughter checks on their supplies during the day, and on days like this, brings them ice-treats and a chunk of ice going into a pan to provide a cool footbath. They put themselves to bed.

On evenings when my schedule allows and the weather's okay, I come out in the early evening and let them free range the yard, while I sit and watch. They'll put themselves to bed from that too, and I make sure they're shut up securely.

 

[007Sean]

Howdy and Welcome to Backyard Chickens.

Happy to have you here with us. Enjoy your time here at BYC!

Thanks for joining our community!

 

[Ketta_czarina]

I had a coop and run built for me, and they're both as predator proof as can be made - so the door between the coop and run can stay open. They get up when they want to, and there's food and water waiting in the run. Teen daughter checks on their supplies during the day, and on days like this, brings them ice-treats and a chunk of ice going into a pan to provide a cool footbath. They put themselves to bed.

On evenings when my schedule allows and the weather's okay, I come out in the early evening and let them free range the yard, while I sit and watch. They'll put themselves to bed from that too, and I make sure they're shut up securely.

Ohh, yes mine have all those things, but Joyce still cries. Maybe something else is wrong with her? Or maybe she’s just spoiled and wants treats.