Brand New at this.....Help!

[speckledhen]

Most regular vets know NOTHING at all about chickens, nor do most understand why you'd even bother to take them.

Cost of chicks varies widely. If you order from the hatchery, you'll get one price, if you get yours at the feedstore, who got theirs from the hatchery, you get another price; if you hatch your own because you want breeds that hatcheries usually dont sell or you want better quality birds, that can vary widely, too.

My all-round favorite breed for personality, laying ability and hardiness is the Barred Plymouth Rock. I also raise Blue/Black/Splash Orpingtons, which are rather hard to come by at a hatchery.

 

[WindcrestChickens]

Another silly question - and I think I know the answer from browsing around - will chickens come to "know" you as some pets do....like will they allow you to handle them and will they show signs of recognition for a favorite treat etc.?

 

[speckledhen]

Oh, could we show you pictures! I just spent half the day trying not to step on my young Barred Rock cockerel, Zane, because he wants to follow me everywhere and sit on my lap or shoulder when I sit down. He's a total lap rooster, like several of my chickens...let me rephrase that... like most of my chickens, LOL.

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
Mine do. Of course they may need handling and time, and there is variation among breeds and among individuals, but if you want big (or little) pooey feet hopping onto your shoulders, and chuckling beaks following you around hammering at your shoelaces to get your attention you can definitely have that

Vets? good luck. Buy Gail Damerow's Chicken Health Handbook (but do not read it - it will scare you silly

) and utilize the emergencies etc part of this forum (makes educational reading in advance of problems, too).

Price? You could get all or mostly male leghorn chicks at the feed store for next to nothing (but, don't), laying breed pullet chicks (with some roos 'accidentally' mixed in, sigh) at the feed store for maybe $2 each; or 95%-sex-guaranteed pullet chicks of interesting heritage breeds from big hatcheries for like $4 per chick plus shipping if you live too far away to drive.

(Or you can pay a whole big lot more of course, if you want rare things or grown birds, but don't, at least not yet.)

Pat

 

[WindcrestChickens]

You have all been so wonderful - thanks! Last night I stumbled on some reading material the previous owners left behind for us...."Raising Poultry the Modern Way" (ha ha circa 1978) But it was a great start...complete with pictures of coops and runs etc.

I can't wait! Now if the ice would go away, I could get started on the cleaning. This is so crazy - a lifelong dream! I will keep you all posted.

And if I could have a chicken hop on my lap, I will be one happy chick myself. That must be SO funny. If you all have any pictures, I would love to see them.