Greetings all!
New member here, I found this website while researching raising chickens, and found a plethora of information available. After browsing through multiple threads searching for information (from breed types to feed and learning that chickens eat mice!), I figured it would be worth it to register here since I will almost certainly be back looking for information again!
A little background:
I'm from Middle TN, born and raised (and often get a strange look when I say this because, evidently, I do not have a southern accent).
I know a few people that have and raise chickens. I cite part of my motivation to them after hearing how fun and simple it is... plus their eggs have always been great.
My wife and I recently moved, and we are currently living on a little over 8 acres, on which already sits a cinder block constructed chicken-coop. (I would lie if I said this didn't play a part in my desire to purchase this house). Although the chicken coop has not been used in several years for raising chickens, I could see us making repairs so it would serve for a larger flock (if I fully get hooked).
In the meantime, I plan on starting small, rather than diving right in. So, some of the threads I have visited so far are: Pickin' Chickens, Advice for First-Timers, and the Middle TN thread.
From the Pickin' thread, I'm leaning towards the Australorp and Rhode Island Red breeds for our first choice.
For any TN or TN-like climate members, any input for or against that choice?
#1 purpose is for the eggs, #2 would be the fringe benefit of insect control then #3 possibly for meat down the road.
Again, I'm already impressed with this site, and look forward to researching and learning as much as I can from you all before we start our first flock!
New member here, I found this website while researching raising chickens, and found a plethora of information available. After browsing through multiple threads searching for information (from breed types to feed and learning that chickens eat mice!), I figured it would be worth it to register here since I will almost certainly be back looking for information again!
A little background:
I'm from Middle TN, born and raised (and often get a strange look when I say this because, evidently, I do not have a southern accent).
I know a few people that have and raise chickens. I cite part of my motivation to them after hearing how fun and simple it is... plus their eggs have always been great.
My wife and I recently moved, and we are currently living on a little over 8 acres, on which already sits a cinder block constructed chicken-coop. (I would lie if I said this didn't play a part in my desire to purchase this house). Although the chicken coop has not been used in several years for raising chickens, I could see us making repairs so it would serve for a larger flock (if I fully get hooked).
In the meantime, I plan on starting small, rather than diving right in. So, some of the threads I have visited so far are: Pickin' Chickens, Advice for First-Timers, and the Middle TN thread.
From the Pickin' thread, I'm leaning towards the Australorp and Rhode Island Red breeds for our first choice.
For any TN or TN-like climate members, any input for or against that choice?
#1 purpose is for the eggs, #2 would be the fringe benefit of insect control then #3 possibly for meat down the road.
Again, I'm already impressed with this site, and look forward to researching and learning as much as I can from you all before we start our first flock!
