2019 Newbie Chat!

[Cyprus]

Hi!
I know that somebody made a newbie chat for 2018 and there is one for 2017.
So, here is one for 2019 new members to share their experiences this year
Feel free to follow or join.
If you're new this year, you can do a few things. You can link your introduction from the new member introductions forum and maybe answer a few questions
Why did you get poultry? What breed(s) did you get? Have you had chickens before?
You can add your location to your profile as well to connect with members near you!

Have a great time,
Cyprus

 

[Steam Powered Chicken]

Hello! Here's a link to my newbie post.
I'm new as of... a few minutes ago, and my babies are going to arrive at the end of February! We just built them a brooder, and I might have had way too much fun decorating it.... XD

 

[Ribh]

Am I ok to participate here? Technically I joined in 2018 but so close to the end of December it may as well be 2019. If it's not ok, just delete the entry.

We kept chooks when my children were small; 3 bantams & about 8 ISA Brown rescues as pets, for eggs & as parasite controllers ~ they eat the ticks. We didn't replace the chooks as they died off as no~one had the time to look after them any more but I like having chooks. I find them peaceful.

It took a while but I finally got DH to agree to chook~keeping again now it's just the 2 of us: 3 Barred Plymouth Rocks, 2 black Australorps.

This time we have a proper set up & got quality birds @ POL ~ & we are getting quality eggs.

The girls arriving to let me know it's Coop Time & they want their dinner!

 

[Bird Bouquet]

They’re here! I was nervous about possible casualties but all 10 arrived safe and sound.

 

[Dandelyon]

Hi! I technically joined in December, but I don't have my chickens yet so I feel like I'm still a pre-newbie I'm planning to pick up chicks at the end of January, and I'm working on getting the coop and run built, and soaking up as much info as I can.

I'm planning to get 3 chicks, because that's the city limit. The breeds I'm thinking of are Australorp, Orpington, and Plymouth Rock.

I've never kept chickens on my own before, but we had them while I was a kid.

 

[paneubert]

Just claiming my spot on the first page! Haha! 25 chicks incoming in late Feb.

Why did you get poultry?
Well, I had quail for a few years, but sold them all off this past Spring and have been converting my "Aviary" to a "Coop" for the past.....9 months? High point numbers wise was probably about 100 chicks and 40 adults at one time. But normal average was between 20-30 quail at any one time.

What breed(s) did you get?
5X each of.....
GOLDEN LACED WYANDOTTE
SPECKLED SUSSEX
RHODE ISLAND RED
AMERAUCANA
CUCKOO MARANS

No way I am keeping them all. Limit in my city is 8. But needed 25 for the minimum ship quantity and this way I can hopefully keep a couple of each, even accounting for death in shipping or failure to thrive. And selling a couple off after I see how they acclimate for a few days. End goal is 8 if I want to stay legal.....maybe 9 or 10 to make it a nice round number.....

Have you had chickens before?
Nope.

Build/conversion thread:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...n-aviary-to-a-good-for-chickens-coop.1241025/

 

[southernbound13]

GUYS. You know those pictures of wildlife photographers approached by their subjects? That's literally how I feel about this and I have no shame. This chicken is my favorite but she is a PSYCHO. She hates everyone and everything and is the only one that gentling efforts have done nothing for but today she flew her happy blue butt up onto me and chilled for like 20 mins. My entire week is made.

 

[Dandelyon]

My legbar's crest started to really show today!

 

[15WildTurkey]

Hi all, I’m not new, I’ve had a few rounds of chickens. But I sadly had to cull my flock early in the fall. An unscrupulous breeder sold us pullets with myco. We decided not to risk neighbors flocks and wild birds health
Soooooo my order is in for feb 20th ship date. 15 fuzzies. I’m so excited. I miss having them around soo much. We are getting a fun backyard mix. A few hatchery choice layers a few hatchery choice “rare” a jersey giant a light Brahma a madam and 4 silkies. The silkies are the only straight run. So I’ll probably get 4 ‘Roos. I’m fine with one. Even my poor chased daughter misses our jerky white silky Roo John Travolta. I’m in upstate New York so we will be brooding in the basement again. I’m going to tape off an area like a Dexter kill scene to try and manage the dust a bit.
Thanks for a great site. Always good info and friendly.

 

[MandaRae]

I've had adult chickens in the past but I'm very new to chicks.
I will be ordering them the end of this month!! Any special advice for when i first pick them up & bring them home from the post office? Steps i should take to make it more comfortable and easy transition??

I have a few ideas going for their new little temporary home while they grow until the coop is finished.
We have an old kiddie pool i saw some people convert. Also I've seen plastic totes used too.