Bringing home first birds

[snow5164]

You can pick up ceramic eggs most feed/farm type stores , I’ve never used a real egg ....

Apparently golf balls work too ,
Nice breeds you choose ,
4 is a nice number too

Have fun and enjoy your babies

 

[leighks]

Hello,

Bringing home 2 hens tonight to start my flock. I have a converted shed with a secure 12x6 run. The gens in getting are a year old and have been free ranging. I have read I need to lock them in the coop for a few days so the settle in. Do I lock them in the actual coop with the door to the run closed, or do I let them use the coop and run. Eventually I will let them play in the yard. Thanks for you input.
M

Awesome, congrats!
Make sure you have enough ventilation in your converted coop, especially if it’s still hot where you are. If the coop and run are connected and both enclosed, they could go in both. When I first put mine outside they had access to the coop and attached run starting on day 1. Good luck!

 

[Brantford]

Yeah. I have vents all over and a fan going out the window of needed. I have read a lot of posts here and think I have the basics down. I still have lots to learn and will be posting often.

 

[Chickens4Life101]

Yes you should.

By using a real egg to show them my nesting boxes should I hard boil the egg so it doesn't crack and spoil as easily?

By using a real egg to show them my nesting boxes should I hard boil the egg so it doesn't crack and spoil as easily?

 

[Brantford]

Anyway. Just an update. I ended up getting 4 birds. 2 australorps. A rir. And a barred Rock that hasn't started laying yet. They have settled on nicely and are all perching together at night. I'm getting a brown egg daily and I've gotten 2 cream colour eggs in a week. I'm not sure which of the austalorps is laying. One looks old. All eating and drinking well and pretty friendly. The young br is the outsider in the group for sure and us the last one to roost and usually goes into the run alone. Couldn't be happier. Just hope for more eggs which I'm sure will come. I am adding light to the coop as well.

 

[aart]

I'm not sure which of the austalorps is laying.

Here's some tips on how to tell.....
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

 

[Rick M]

Congrats on getting your first birds. We enjoy ours very much, never knew raising chickens could be so much fun and entertainment.