Overachieving research prior to getting my first chickens

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California Carol said:
I love cream Legbars. Are they heat hardy? We live in an area with temps as low as mid 30's and highs of 100 +.
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I’m not sure. I live in Ohio. I do hear that a lot of people in your area have Old English Game Birds, so those may be a durable breed. Just don’t get Rhode Island Red. They are the pit bulls of chickens, and if you raise them right, they are good loyal birds, often the leaders of the flock. When raised the slightest bit wrong however, a Rhode Island Red will try to eat your eyes.
 
Glad to meet you, Carol and Cliff, and welcome to BYC. Carol, your experience as a nurse will be such a help as you care for your birds. And Cliff, your hands on experience with animals will set you up for better understanding those new birds. What a fun stage you guys are at! And good for you doing that research ahead! There will still be plenty of surprises, as there always are with plants and animals.

Here are my favorite beginning articles that helped me as a newbie. I hope you will find them helpful as well. All articles are short, have illustrations, and reviews, which are often worth looking at for the comments.

1. Intro to chicken keeping AND Pickin the Right Frickin Chicken

2. Common mistakes & how to fix them

3. Ventilation (important to chicken health), with helpful links to coop designs organized by climate (because what is just right for my New England hens won't work for my brother's Arizona chickens)

3(a). Farmers Almanac on Building Coops (Includes size requirements!) Allowing plenty of space for chickens is really important because, even as chicks, they will start pecking each other or plucking their own feathers, or become unhealthy if they are overcrowded. Here is a link to Colorado State Extension's publication on space and temperature requirements for chicks as they age.

4. Predator protection for new & existing coops

5. Dealing with a muddy coop and run

6. Gardening for chickens

7. BYC Lists of Chicken Ailments and Cures

To look for articles on your own:

A. Use the SEARCH button, but use the Advanced Search choice, and select ARTICLES at the top of the box. Just enter your keyword(s) and scroll through your results!

B. I find it helpful to notice the rating and reviews. All articles are by BYC members, and all the reviews/ratings are as well. The ratings help a newbie like me sort the most useful and reliable articles.

C. You can bookmark the articles or posts you think you want to refer to again using that bookmark icon at the top of articles or posts. You can find them again by clicking on your own avatar and looking at the list of bookmarks you have built up!

Notes about where to put a coop:

1. As far as you can, put a coop and run on high ground, that drains well, so you won't have so much muddy coop problems. Chickens need to be dry, dry, dry.

2. As far as you can, put a coop with the ventilation lined up with your prevailing breezes, and away from the direction of your storms. If you are not sure of these (who is these days?), check with your local National Weather Service website.

3. As far as you can, arrange for some sort of shade over your coop and run. Preferably deciduous so the girls will enjoy winter sun, but summer shade.
 
I’m always happy to hear when people prepare ahead before jumping in. Predator proofing is the cornerstone to a good experience long run… hardware cloth, wall to wall, ceiling and underground. If you keep the rats out, you keep everything out.

Welcome to BYC, lots of amazing resources here. plenty of room for chicken chat, horses, miniature donkeys, the whole enchilada!
 

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