Brand New - Looking for positivity with a healthy reality

[Kiki]

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[bluejeans]

Welcome! So happy to have you join the family. The location looks ok to me, just watch how water runs when it rains before building there, and get all of your utility lines marked if you plan to dig. I also see that you don't have a ton of shade from your trees, but maybe they aren't filled out in the pic, so make sure they will get some relief from the sun.

That's about all I can think of off the top of my head. I'm excited for you and wish you the best of luck starting your new flock. I've been at it for 2 years and I can't imagine not having my girls now.

Hey all!

My name is Paul and I am brand new to this whole adventure. Basically my husband and I are moving to our first home June 30th (Lafayette, LA) and in the next 5-10 years we want to start a homestead. However, as things go, we can't afford to buy a huge house with 15+ acres just yet. So instead we bought a beautiful starter home that we are excited to start the next chapter of our lives.

I want bees, chickens, a milk cow, some pigs, crops, etc...

For now though, I just want some chickens! So figured, I would join this wonderful community to gather as much information as I can, before the move, and make sure it's even possible to start this adventure. If it's not, I will be sad, but will continue to gather information until we can start being true chicken owners.

Currently we will be living in a suburban area. The plot is about 10k sqft, with a 2.5k sqft back yard.

I looked into the ordinance and it looks like there is a 25 ft law from any building used for sleeping, dining, living or working.

There is a perfect spot in the corner of our yard, that is about 28 feet from any other building (once we move i'll have to get exact measurements to make sure).

I attached two images of the backyard and where I think I would place the chicken coop!

Hopefully my plans arn't spoiled before they begin.

We plan on simply just having egg laying chickens for now. From what I read silkies are good for egg laying in suburban areas as they are quiet and don't need much room.

And that is as far as my research has gone for now! I can't wait to meet all you wonderful people and learn as much as possible!

Thanks,
Paul

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Hey all!

My name is Paul and I am brand new to this whole adventure. Basically my husband and I are moving to our first home June 30th (Lafayette, LA) and in the next 5-10 years we want to start a homestead. However, as things go, we can't afford to buy a huge house with 15+ acres just yet. So instead we bought a beautiful starter home that we are excited to start the next chapter of our lives.

I want bees, chickens, a milk cow, some pigs, crops, etc...

For now though, I just want some chickens! So figured, I would join this wonderful community to gather as much information as I can, before the move, and make sure it's even possible to start this adventure. If it's not, I will be sad, but will continue to gather information until we can start being true chicken owners.

Currently we will be living in a suburban area. The plot is about 10k sqft, with a 2.5k sqft back yard.

I looked into the ordinance and it looks like there is a 25 ft law from any building used for sleeping, dining, living or working.

There is a perfect spot in the corner of our yard, that is about 28 feet from any other building (once we move i'll have to get exact measurements to make sure).

I attached two images of the backyard and where I think I would place the chicken coop!

Hopefully my plans arn't spoiled before they begin.

We plan on simply just having egg laying chickens for now. From what I read silkies are good for egg laying in suburban areas as they are quiet and don't need much room.

And that is as far as my research has gone for now! I can't wait to meet all you wonderful people and learn as much as possible!

Thanks,
Paul

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[bluejeans]

I like when people are up front about them selves Paul . Glad to meet you i,m a ultra conservative Christian .I think we will get along just fine even though we have very different beliefs about what marriage is .I will just talk to you about farm stuff . unless you want to talk about other things .nice to meet you and glad your here. You should get your friend your with, to join up to. Every one's welcome here.

 

[JustDadWithChickens]

I like when people are up front about them selves Paul . Glad to meet you i,m a ultra conservative Christian .I think we will get along just fine even though we have very different beliefs about what marriage is .I will just talk to you about farm stuff . unless you want to talk about other things .nice to meet you and glad your here. You should get your friend your with, to join up to. Every one's welcome here.

Bluejeans, nice to meet you! Thank you for sharing that part of yourself with me as well. As much as I love to talk about religion and it's different aspects, I am simply here to expand my knowledge of keeping different types of poultry. Hope you have a wonderful day.

 

[WVduckchick]

I always love it when people research first, then jump in. I never seem to be able to do that!

Here are a couple selector tools that I like that might help you.
https://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/chick_selector.html
http://www.poultrydvm.com/breed-selector.php

 

[JustDadWithChickens]

I always love it when people research first, then jump in. I never seem to be able to do that!

Here are a couple selector tools that I like that might help you.
https://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/chick_selector.html
http://www.poultrydvm.com/breed-selector.php

Sweet, I will have to check it out. So much information! Is there a taste difference between the blue/brown/white? (will be googling right after I post this) or do people just like having blue eggs?

 

[featherhead007]

EGGS, some are missing, I was hungry!

 

[KikiLeigh02]

If you have limited space there are several bantam breeds that might be a good option! We have full size Barred Rocks, but I've heard really good things about the bantam size too. I'm with you on the bees! I would LOVE to have a few hives.

 

[Kiki]

Sweet, I will have to check it out. So much information! Is there a taste difference between the blue/brown/white? (will be googling right after I post this) or do people just like having blue eggs?

No, all chicken eggs taste the same.
People like having a colorful egg basket.

Remember white eggs matter!
(I still haven't gotten a white egg layer)

 

[WVduckchick]

Sweet, I will have to check it out. So much information! Is there a taste difference between the blue/brown/white? (will be googling right after I post this) or do people just like having blue eggs?

I agree with Kiki, but there is a difference in chicken vs. duck (etc) eggs. Duck eggs are most fabulous for baking!

And since you want reality and honesty.... Be prepared, if you visit here often, we are a crazy bunch of enablers that will school you in chicken math. More addition and multiplication, and some division for extra breeds. Very little subtraction.