Mombom
In the Brooder
- Feb 22, 2025
- 1
- 10
- 22
(1) Are you new to chickens / when did you first get chickens?
I've had chickens a couple of times before, but had a lot of losses and decided store eggs were cheaper. This time, my husband insisted, and built a good solid barn, and we put in a good, safe yard. We also solved one of our most vexing problems in the North, which is keeping water liquid in the winter. We purchased a heated waterer with nipples, and it's working out great.
(2) How many chickens do you have right now?
We currently have 18, 17 hens and one rooster. I plan to hatch some eggs this spring. The rooster is new, and he doesn't crow, and I have no idea if he's doing his job or not. But once I get some warmer weather and start seeing some fertilized eggs, I'll pull some eggs for hatching.
(3) What breeds do you have?
I have about 9 Silver-Laced Wyandottes, so chosen because they have large bodies and rose combs, both good for living in the North. We have 3 Ameraucaunas, who are lazy layers. We have two California Tans who have been very faithful and early layers. They are fairly independent, but have huge combs which have gotten a bit of frostbite this winter. We have three Black Copper Marans hens, and two hens that I raised last year from the Wyandottes and a Mystic Onyx rooster that we had. FYI that all black gene is STRONG. I culled that rooster because he was pulling the feathers from the hens backs, and got more agressive. The new rooster I got is a Black Copper Marans, and I'm hoping to hatch some eggs from him from the Ameraucaunas hoping to get some Olive Eggers. I used to have Golden Laced Wyandottes, and they were great layers. When I chose the silver laced two years ago there was a shortage of the Golden Laced, so I thought one is as good as another. But the silvers lay medium eggs, whereas the goldens lay large. Who knew? I made the decision in the store which has no wifi and it was a spur of the moment decision. The other variety in our flock is all my hubby going to the fleet store alone and being a sucker for a chick. I'd like to add some Barnevelder and Wellsummer hens as well.
(4) What are your favorite aspects of raising backyard chickens?
I like having "free" eggs, and I just like looking at them. I was kind of mad at my husband when he insisted on getting chickens again. A quote from me was, "I don't want chickens and I won't help you." A year later I pushed him to purchase an incubator. It's a lot nicer when the waterer doesn't freeze and stays clean, and the fox doesn't come and eat half your flock and the store sells you pullets that are really straight run.
(5) What are some of your other hobbies?
I sew clothes and not quilts. And more recently, geneology. My husband's family has a ton of information. My family has a lot of intrigue.
(6) Tell us about your family, your other pets, your occupation, or anything else you'd like to share.
I've been married for 36 years, and have four children, three living. Our oldest two are grown and married and have three kids each. Our youngest (a surprise result of my tonsillectomy at age 42!), is twelve. We have two dogs, two cats, and the 12 year old is saving up for a Degu.
(7) Bonus: How did you find BYC, how long have you known about BYC, and what made you finally join our awesome community?
I've lurked here and there when doing chicken research, but never joined until today. I was wanting to do more research on opting in on hatching more hens than roosters, and plan to try the air sack method if that new rooster ever takes a hen ride.
I've had chickens a couple of times before, but had a lot of losses and decided store eggs were cheaper. This time, my husband insisted, and built a good solid barn, and we put in a good, safe yard. We also solved one of our most vexing problems in the North, which is keeping water liquid in the winter. We purchased a heated waterer with nipples, and it's working out great.
(2) How many chickens do you have right now?
We currently have 18, 17 hens and one rooster. I plan to hatch some eggs this spring. The rooster is new, and he doesn't crow, and I have no idea if he's doing his job or not. But once I get some warmer weather and start seeing some fertilized eggs, I'll pull some eggs for hatching.
(3) What breeds do you have?
I have about 9 Silver-Laced Wyandottes, so chosen because they have large bodies and rose combs, both good for living in the North. We have 3 Ameraucaunas, who are lazy layers. We have two California Tans who have been very faithful and early layers. They are fairly independent, but have huge combs which have gotten a bit of frostbite this winter. We have three Black Copper Marans hens, and two hens that I raised last year from the Wyandottes and a Mystic Onyx rooster that we had. FYI that all black gene is STRONG. I culled that rooster because he was pulling the feathers from the hens backs, and got more agressive. The new rooster I got is a Black Copper Marans, and I'm hoping to hatch some eggs from him from the Ameraucaunas hoping to get some Olive Eggers. I used to have Golden Laced Wyandottes, and they were great layers. When I chose the silver laced two years ago there was a shortage of the Golden Laced, so I thought one is as good as another. But the silvers lay medium eggs, whereas the goldens lay large. Who knew? I made the decision in the store which has no wifi and it was a spur of the moment decision. The other variety in our flock is all my hubby going to the fleet store alone and being a sucker for a chick. I'd like to add some Barnevelder and Wellsummer hens as well.
(4) What are your favorite aspects of raising backyard chickens?
I like having "free" eggs, and I just like looking at them. I was kind of mad at my husband when he insisted on getting chickens again. A quote from me was, "I don't want chickens and I won't help you." A year later I pushed him to purchase an incubator. It's a lot nicer when the waterer doesn't freeze and stays clean, and the fox doesn't come and eat half your flock and the store sells you pullets that are really straight run.
(5) What are some of your other hobbies?
I sew clothes and not quilts. And more recently, geneology. My husband's family has a ton of information. My family has a lot of intrigue.
(6) Tell us about your family, your other pets, your occupation, or anything else you'd like to share.
I've been married for 36 years, and have four children, three living. Our oldest two are grown and married and have three kids each. Our youngest (a surprise result of my tonsillectomy at age 42!), is twelve. We have two dogs, two cats, and the 12 year old is saving up for a Degu.
(7) Bonus: How did you find BYC, how long have you known about BYC, and what made you finally join our awesome community?
I've lurked here and there when doing chicken research, but never joined until today. I was wanting to do more research on opting in on hatching more hens than roosters, and plan to try the air sack method if that new rooster ever takes a hen ride.
Glad you joined.
to have you here with us. Enjoy your time here at BYC!
