New to raising chickens

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tiffpiv

tiffpiv

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Feb 9, 2016
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This weekend I will get my first chicken coop. It will have 6 laying beds and will be a inclosed area for them to range. The coop comes with a kennel type thing with it to give them the outdoor time needed. I would love to have free range chickens but fear my dogs would kill them plus we live on a busy farm road. Some info I would like is the basics. My mother used to raise chickens but I barely remember how she cared for them. Any tips on bedding preferred and what all grains they need to have. Any advice for this newbie would be great
 
Hi :welcome

Glad you could join the flock! The learning centre would be a great place for you to check out, here is the link ~https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center
As for bedding I've used a few things including straw, wood shavings and sand. All with their pros and cons. At the minute because it's winter I have them on shavings but in summer I use sand as it's cooler for them. Depending on what age your birds are will depend what food you will need to give them. Younger pullets who are not laying yet don't need the extra calcium layer feed gives so a flock raiser would be best for them. You can keep all birds on a flock raiser with oyster shell on the side for any that are laying.


Wishing you the very best of luck and enjoy BYC :frow
 
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Hi and a warm welcome to BYC. You have great advice already from my tribesmate, so i'll just say a big hello !

All the best

CT
 
Welcome to BYC. Glad you decided to join our flock. X2 on Yorkshire coop's advice. Unfortunately dogs and chickens rarely mix well. We get lots of posts from new members who are shocked because their seemingly benign dog (even small breeds like chihuahuas) suddenly and unexpectedly decided to chase and kill their chickens. Dogs typically seem to view chickens either as prey or else as chew toys. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have. We are here to help in any way we can. Cheers.
 
tiffpiv said:
This weekend I will get my first chicken coop. It will have 6 laying beds and will be a inclosed area for them to range. The coop comes with a kennel type thing with it to give them the outdoor time needed. I would love to have free range chickens but fear my dogs would kill them plus we live on a busy farm road. Some info I would like is the basics. My mother used to raise chickens but I barely remember how she cared for them. Any tips on bedding preferred and what all grains they need to have. Any advice for this newbie would be great
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Welcome to BYC! Glad you joined the flock! I use wood shavings in the nest boxes and floors. My run I'm trying to grow some grass in their and leaving some dirt pits to allow them dust bathing and allow them to eat pebbles to help digestion. I use a complete feed laying hen feed mixed with cracked corn. I also give oyster shells when needed. Here's the feed I use a long with the nutrition tag.


 
Hello!
400

Welcome to BYC and the coop! There's a lot of great peeps here! Feel free to ask lots of questions. But most of all, make yourself at home. I'm so glad you decided to join the BYC family. I look forward to seeing you around BYC.
 
welcome-byc.gif


You've already been given some great advice, so I'll just say it's nice to have you join us!
 
Glad you joined us at Backyard chickens. I like to recommend the "Raising Backyard chickens ," forum and also joining your state thread. You may find local BYCERS, who generally are very willing to share their knowledge.
 

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