All right I took the chicken plunge and ordered chicks, now I am freaking out...

[Cluky]

SO after reading countless books, patrolling this site for months for all possible things that can go wrong and what to do about them, reviewing and setting up housing, I finally took my chick plunge couple of weeks ago and now expecting to get chickies in the mail this week. Quite frankly I am freaking. Anyone ever felt this way? I am deffinitely not living on a farm, but have been before for a bit. I know the in's and out's; but I am in city now. Everyone I mention the chickes to, looks at me like I am completely nuts. So at this point I am psyched out of having them. Any other city chicken lovers out there?

Sorry had to rant, no one else to listen...

 

[BGeezie]

Don't worry buddy. I don't live on a farm either. Just read a lot so you know what to expect. The book, Rasing Chickens For Dummies, is a great book and covers everything. Be sure to have your brooder ready to go and warmed up. If the chicks are coming this week, go ahead to turn on the lamp, etc. Keep an eye out on the temp. Feed them a high quality Chick starter feed. My friend says to stay away from the medicated feed.

You will be fine. I love just watching my little chicks play, eat and sleep. They are so funny. You mentioned people might think you are crazy...they said that about me too, but now they are saying, "How can I do that?" Funny how things work out.

Post pictures of your little girls when you get them. You will be amazed how fast they grow. I noticed a change every day. Have fun! There are countless people on this site to help you, just in case!

 

[Cluky]

Oh I have everything ready to go: brooder, feed (organic non-medicated of course), bedding, even the coop is almost done for when they are older. I just have this impending feeling of "doom" ha ha ha. Will post once they are here.

 

[Lexiluke]

Your doom will quickly fill with joy and, like everyone else, you will be buying more because it is addictive like you won't believe. Don't worry what everyone else thinks.

 

[KnoxvilleChick]

It'll be great! I live in the city, too, and got plenty of weird looks (like from my postal worker when my chicks arrived) when people heard I was getting chickens. But now everyone wants to hang out at my place to watch chicken TV while drinking a cold beer on my back, and I have tons of people who are anxiously awaiting my current flock to start laying.

If you want more encouragement, look for more threads about urban hen raising on BYC. Good to hear other people's stories. Enjoy your chicks!

 

[HouseMouseHens]

We just got our first chicks four days ago, so we're newbies too, but we live in a very urban part of Portland, and we're really excited to have city chickens! Tons of our neighbors and people around the city have them, and some people even have goats and the like! It's more common than you might think actually. Some of your neighbors may even have them and you would never know. Our neighbors across the street whom we know well have a flock of ten in their backyard, and once we started looking into getting some, we found like seven more neighbors on our street had them as well! Have fun with the babies! They are SO funny and sweet!

What kinds are you getting? All different? Or the same breeds?

 

[kteel]

We are new to chickens too and are definitely in the city. I've had my babies for three weeks and they are so much fun! I've been able to find answers to every questions I've had on this site, and some very nice people. Take a deep breath and just enjoy them when they arrive. You'll be surprised how entertaining they are.

 

[ChickNhood]

I have 5 hens in the middle of the city...hell the middle f the ghetto to be gonest...i live in an area where pitbulls out number people 2 to 1...everyone I tell anout my chickens thinks im nuts also...that is untill the taste my lovely omelet made feom my "farm frsh" eggs... Then they quickly change there minds... Next spring I think im gonna get a few cornish crosses to put some meat in the freezer

 

[Cluky]

I got 5 banties, and all different. Easter egger, D'Uccle, Buff Brahma, Quail Antwerp Belgian Bantam and Welsummer. I am hoping I get all 5.

 

[earlybird10842]

They'll be so cute, You'll love them immediatly. Don't stress, think of them as unusual pets.