Before to buy your first chick

[sherigleblanc]

I'm so beyond new to chickens. But my coop is almost finished. Well it was finished but I've had some revisions since joining this site

But it's almost done again. I live in Louisiana and really want Araucanas. Just so there are more of them in the world. And their eggs are just beautiful.
So experts, I ask what should I do to prepare my coop for pullets. I don't know what started pullets mean. But I want them before they lay eggs but not day olds. Waterer suggestions? I got the feed covered

, but What about Heat over our southern winter?

 

[3riverschick]

Hi! My replies in bold type.
I'm so beyond new to chickens. But my coop is almost finished. Well it was finished but I've had some revisions since joining this site

But it's almost done again. I live in Louisiana and really want Araucanas. They breed some really nice ones in your part of the country. Take a look at the free online ezine "Exhibition Poultry". Check the Arucana threads here on BYC. Contact the National breed club and join it. Find out who the leading breeders are. Buy the best you can to start out. Just so there are more of them in the world. And their eggs are just beautiful.
So experts, I ask what should I do to prepare my coop for pullets. I don't know what started pullets mean.
For me "started bird" means the birds are out of heir baby down and have a full set of juvenile feathers. Later they will drop those and get their adult feathers.But I want them before they lay eggs but not day olds. Waterer suggestions? Pick the method easiest or you. I got the feed covered

, but What about Heat over our southern winter? Probably you won't need heat. Contact some Araucana breeders in your area and follow their lead.
For adult large fowl ( not bantams) you want 4 sq. ft. per bird in the coop and 10 Sq. ft. per bird in the outside run. 1/2 all those numbers for adult bantam birds.

Best Regards,
Karen

 

[CGilbert]

Good luck with the pullets!

After 8 weeks they should be fine without a heat lamp, especially down south. As long as you have a coop for them to go to, even if you get cold, they should be able to find warmth in the coop.

I really want Aracauna's, but there are no local breeders (go figure. North Idaho: the home of NOTHING!)

 

[sherigleblanc]

Karen and CGilbert thank you for the great advice! I really appreciate it. Im so excited to get started but I want to do it right. I can't thank y'all enough for your help.
(North Idaho...Home of nothing lol! Bless your heart!)