BeckyRK1974
Hatching
Hello! I am writing this on a rainy, dreary morning in Central Wisconsin with a Winter storm about to move across the state just north of me. My area is on the Southern edge of it, and we'll probably see a bit snow later today or this evening. I have 3 grown children, 4 grandchildren (ages 5 to almost 12), 3 small breed dogs and a husband. I have had cats in the past, but no other animals. I was not raised on a farm, although my dad's cousin had a farm that we would visit often while I was growing up.
I very much am impatiently waiting for the warmer days of Spring, as I always do this time of year. But THIS year I decided to start raising laying chickens. This decision is fueled by the egg prices and availability, but is not based solely on that. I have talked about it off and on for about 4 years now, but if this round of price increases is anything like the pandemic effect on lumber, then it just makes sense to get started with my own chickens. Besides...fresh eggs are just better.
I looked into the hatcheries I've seen in several videos, but I ultimately decided to go with a local vendor that sells chicks from a Wisconsin hatchery. I thought less travel for the babies might be better, so I will be getting 3 Buff Orpingtons and 3 Easter Eggers with a pick-up date of July 8th. Since my husband and I will be fencing our backyard in as soon as the weather allows, I felt that date would give us plenty of time to get it done, and get their area ready for them. If nothing else, it will keep us motivated to get it done.
I was hoping to build my own coop, but with a bit of gentle persuasion from both my husband and my mom because of the work we have on our plate with the fence, I forced myself to accept a $2500 price tag on a prebuilt coop. We are getting it from a local company that mainly makes sheds, but they had a few coops on their show lot so I could see them in person. They are basically modified sheds, so the price is worth it. I'm a little unsure if there is enough ventilation up above, so I think I will consider adding more to it once it delivers. But overall, it will be a great coop.
For those of you concerned about the rush of people coming into chicken parenting because of egg prices, I assure you that I've done a ton of research over the last month or so. While it isn't years of education and such, I am also not coming into this blindly. I have read a ton of articles, watched what feels like 60 hours of videos on YouTube, read a book I bought authored by Nikki from Purely Chickens, joined two groups on facebook for even more resources (one of which is a Wisconsin group), and have asked my neighbor if she would be willing to share some of her wisdom. (She has had chickens herself for a couple years now, and also grew up on a farm that raised chickens.) However, I figure a newbie cannot have too many resources, so I decided to join this community also.
I have a huge amount of respect for all lifeforms. To the extent that when I started my 1st garden a couple years ago after taking 20 years off, I started tomato seeds indoors. I sowed 2 seeds in each little cell to make sure I had plenty sprout, and then couldn't bring myself to be the "tomato grim reaper" when almost all of the seeds grew. So I planted all 23 seedlings in my 4'x12' garden bed and dealt with a tomato jungle by Fall. So I am fully aware I am bringing living creatures with feelings and emotions into my care, which I take very seriously. If I had any doubts on whether I could be a good chicken mom or not, I would not be moving forward with it.
I have taken time to review several of the threads on here before creating an account. And I appreciate all of you here that have been willing to respond to all the newbie questions. I have no doubt I will see the same support as I move forward in this journey.
Sorry this got long! I tried 3 times to shorten it!! But thank you to everyone who chose to read through it all!
I very much am impatiently waiting for the warmer days of Spring, as I always do this time of year. But THIS year I decided to start raising laying chickens. This decision is fueled by the egg prices and availability, but is not based solely on that. I have talked about it off and on for about 4 years now, but if this round of price increases is anything like the pandemic effect on lumber, then it just makes sense to get started with my own chickens. Besides...fresh eggs are just better.
I looked into the hatcheries I've seen in several videos, but I ultimately decided to go with a local vendor that sells chicks from a Wisconsin hatchery. I thought less travel for the babies might be better, so I will be getting 3 Buff Orpingtons and 3 Easter Eggers with a pick-up date of July 8th. Since my husband and I will be fencing our backyard in as soon as the weather allows, I felt that date would give us plenty of time to get it done, and get their area ready for them. If nothing else, it will keep us motivated to get it done.
I was hoping to build my own coop, but with a bit of gentle persuasion from both my husband and my mom because of the work we have on our plate with the fence, I forced myself to accept a $2500 price tag on a prebuilt coop. We are getting it from a local company that mainly makes sheds, but they had a few coops on their show lot so I could see them in person. They are basically modified sheds, so the price is worth it. I'm a little unsure if there is enough ventilation up above, so I think I will consider adding more to it once it delivers. But overall, it will be a great coop.
For those of you concerned about the rush of people coming into chicken parenting because of egg prices, I assure you that I've done a ton of research over the last month or so. While it isn't years of education and such, I am also not coming into this blindly. I have read a ton of articles, watched what feels like 60 hours of videos on YouTube, read a book I bought authored by Nikki from Purely Chickens, joined two groups on facebook for even more resources (one of which is a Wisconsin group), and have asked my neighbor if she would be willing to share some of her wisdom. (She has had chickens herself for a couple years now, and also grew up on a farm that raised chickens.) However, I figure a newbie cannot have too many resources, so I decided to join this community also.
I have a huge amount of respect for all lifeforms. To the extent that when I started my 1st garden a couple years ago after taking 20 years off, I started tomato seeds indoors. I sowed 2 seeds in each little cell to make sure I had plenty sprout, and then couldn't bring myself to be the "tomato grim reaper" when almost all of the seeds grew. So I planted all 23 seedlings in my 4'x12' garden bed and dealt with a tomato jungle by Fall. So I am fully aware I am bringing living creatures with feelings and emotions into my care, which I take very seriously. If I had any doubts on whether I could be a good chicken mom or not, I would not be moving forward with it.
I have taken time to review several of the threads on here before creating an account. And I appreciate all of you here that have been willing to respond to all the newbie questions. I have no doubt I will see the same support as I move forward in this journey.
Sorry this got long! I tried 3 times to shorten it!! But thank you to everyone who chose to read through it all!
Glad you joined.
