About to have my first chickens and nervous as heck!

[pansophia]

Okay, I'm going to ramble a bit.

Hubby and I have been working day and night on our chicken coop and are nearly done. Our city allows two hens without a permit so that's what we plan to start with. We're in an inner-ring suburb of Minneapolis in a very urban environment so this is a bit unusual.

I first got the chicken itch a few years ago but didn't own a home and thought it was crazy to have chickens in the city. A few months ago I saw an article in a local magazine about a coop in the city and urban chicken laws. (http://www.minnesotamonthly.com/media/Minnesota-Monthly/March-2007/Pecks-and-the-City/) My curiousity was repeaked.

After a ton of research and talking to the guy who teaches a local "Chickens in the City" class, we decided to go for it. We've been trying to live a greener and more sustainable life and chickens seemed to fit into that.

It's odd - I grew up as a full on city girl. Cows were things I saw at the zoo and I could never imagine living out of the urban world. Perhaps it's because I'm older, married, and hoping to start a family that my priorities have changed. Eight years of selling expensive lofts in the city has left me feeling a true disconnect from the real world. I want my kids to know where food comes from, I want them to run around, fall over, skin their knee, and get excited about planting their own veggie garden. I want to do my part to make sure there are still small family farms in 20, 30, 40 years.

Despite all that, it's just plain a bit weird to have chickens in the city. My parents live nearby and I know they will think we've gone nuts when they find out. (But I bet they'll love the free eggs!) Hubby and I both work full time and he's going back to school. We have a dog and a house in need of lots of TLC. We were told chickens are less work than cats but I'm having a nervous fit.

Are we really crazy?

Can we really handle this?

Am I just having pre-chicken jitters?

I've read every book and site I can get my eyes/hands on. The coop is nearly done. We're getting started pullets instead of starting with chicks. I think we're doing everything right but I'm still gosh darned nervous.

Sorry about the crazy long post. I was an English major and instead of writing a novel, I ramble on bulletin boards!

Thanks for "listening,"
Kate

 

[Napalongtail]

Kate relax.. And get ready to be totally addicted!! You'll love this hobby. Sounds like you did way more research than most do and you'll be fine. Enjoy

 

[justusnak]

Kate.....take a deep breath girl! You are going to be just fine! Chickens really are so easy to care for, and SO MUCH easier to fall in love with.

It sounds to me that you are doing everything just right. You are soon to be a very proud chicken mommy. Oh, and of course, we expect pics!

Good luck.....when do you get them and what kind are you getting?

 

[BeckyLa]

Kate, go fix a cup of Chamomile tea then come back and check out this site:

http://home.centurytel.net/thecitychicken/index.html

It's full of lots of info on raising chickens in the city. I started with 5 marans in Pensacola. The neighbors thought it was a hoot.

All's well. You'll be fine. If you have any questions just come on back here! We're open 24/7. There's someone on most all the time.

 

[mudhen]

Take a deeeeep breath.... relax!

It is so much fun you are going to want more!

And this site is so awesome, you will always have someone as close as your keyboard to help you out if you have question!
Good luck and keep us posted! (we love pictures!!)

 

[Jillylam]

Enjoy your new family members. You'll have lots of fun with them. I started with pullets instead of chicks also until I could gain some experience. Hopefully next year I'll get some peeps. There are so many friendly and helpful people here.

 

[steffpeck]

We just got our first set of chicks a few days ago, and I was a nervous wreck!! But, it is so much easier that I expected. So take everyone's advice and take a deep breath and relax. It will be just fine!! And have fun watching those cute little fluff's. I could sit and watch them all day!!

 

[pansophia]

Thanks you guys. I feel much better today. Our neighbors were out in the sunshine last night and I had a nice chat with them, they are almost as excited about our chickens as we are! In fact, I have a feeling that if ours go well, they will be getting some of their own.

Sometimes I think I overprepare for new stuff, when we got our dog I had read every book possible, packed a small suitcase worth of puppy stuff, and then when she came home I realized that hey, it's just a puppy! She's not going to stop loving me just because I got her the wrong toy or didn't let her climb in the flower bed.

Anywho, hubby is putting the roof on the coop today and we'll probably go pick out our hens on Tuesday (thunderstorms expected tomorrow). I'll keep y'all updated!

Thanks

(And just to prove I can keep something alive (and because I love to show her off)...)

(Our floor is not usually that dirty but as you can see....it had help!)

 

[MarkR]

I grew up on a farm, then lived "in town" for many years. I finally had to lease a garden space in the community garden so I didn't lose my mind. Then I got married and moved back "out of town". You have the right instincts. Go with it.

Have fun with your chickens,

Mark

 

[portlandpeeps]

Kate, You are going to love it!! We just got our first chicks a month ago--and I thought about it and researched it and thought about it some more for two years before finally making the purchase. It is so much fun! Now we're raising 4 bantys and a border collie/australian shepherd puppy on a city lot.

Have fun...and relax