Hi LauraDel! I'm a new chicken Mom too! I just got four 7 week old Barred Rock pullets on 12/22/2012 from a gal in Tustin from CraigsList. You are asking all the same questions I needed to know the answers to as well...the home forums page here has many topics on basic supplies, care, feeding and housing of chicks and chickens. Start-up requires lots of research for basic care and needs, but maintaining them as pets/layers is relatively easy! First, check with your City Hall if you are allowed to keep chickens and how many.
I bought mine essentially ready to go outside to the prefab coop with attached run that I bought on Amazon for about $200. Most chicks need to be inside in a brooder with a heat lamp until about 8 weeks old or when they have fully feathered out (soft downy chick feathers have been replaced by adult feathers). Baby chicks, anywhere from 2-6 weeks old, are about $3 each at most feed stores. A 40lb. bag of grower pellets is about $18, mine eat about 1/2 cup per chicken per day...will last a few months. They can walk around your yard ("free range") if protected from dogs, coons, hawks, coyotes, etc. but need an enclosed coop to feel safe and cozy at night to sleep/lay. There will be POOP on the lawn and your kids bare feet, but it's great fertilizer for gardens and flowers! They will also eat certain flowers, veg, grass in the yard but can also be fed table scraps and kitchen trimmings (see the table of safe foods as some are toxic such as avocado and raw potato peels). They need fresh water daily.
Difference breeds have different traits as far as size, large eggs, frequent layers, quiet, friendly, etc. I settled on Barred Rocks for quiet, friendly frequent brown egg layers. The breed tab has good info. for each breed. I'll add Wyandottes and Buff Orpingtons in the future for variety but similar traits.
I am really enjoying my girls and they are growing very rapidly, will start laying eggs for me at about 18 weeks old. They are funny to watch! I haven't let mine out of the coop/run yet...waiting until they are a little bigger, and we also have three cats and two very curious dogs who need to become bored enough with their presence to leave them alone. My coop is about 4'x4' and the attached run is about 8 ft. X 4 ft. They will need room to roam the yard when they are full grown.
So it's a cool environmental loop...You give me poop to grow veg, I give you scraps and food, you return the favor with fresh eggs! Not to mention they are sweet and entertaining pets for kids and adults alike. They won't be smelly if kept clean with a minimal time commitment and proper bedding which becomes rich garden mulch.
This is only some basic information to get you started. Good luck and have fun!
Margie
I bought mine essentially ready to go outside to the prefab coop with attached run that I bought on Amazon for about $200. Most chicks need to be inside in a brooder with a heat lamp until about 8 weeks old or when they have fully feathered out (soft downy chick feathers have been replaced by adult feathers). Baby chicks, anywhere from 2-6 weeks old, are about $3 each at most feed stores. A 40lb. bag of grower pellets is about $18, mine eat about 1/2 cup per chicken per day...will last a few months. They can walk around your yard ("free range") if protected from dogs, coons, hawks, coyotes, etc. but need an enclosed coop to feel safe and cozy at night to sleep/lay. There will be POOP on the lawn and your kids bare feet, but it's great fertilizer for gardens and flowers! They will also eat certain flowers, veg, grass in the yard but can also be fed table scraps and kitchen trimmings (see the table of safe foods as some are toxic such as avocado and raw potato peels). They need fresh water daily.
Difference breeds have different traits as far as size, large eggs, frequent layers, quiet, friendly, etc. I settled on Barred Rocks for quiet, friendly frequent brown egg layers. The breed tab has good info. for each breed. I'll add Wyandottes and Buff Orpingtons in the future for variety but similar traits.
I am really enjoying my girls and they are growing very rapidly, will start laying eggs for me at about 18 weeks old. They are funny to watch! I haven't let mine out of the coop/run yet...waiting until they are a little bigger, and we also have three cats and two very curious dogs who need to become bored enough with their presence to leave them alone. My coop is about 4'x4' and the attached run is about 8 ft. X 4 ft. They will need room to roam the yard when they are full grown.
So it's a cool environmental loop...You give me poop to grow veg, I give you scraps and food, you return the favor with fresh eggs! Not to mention they are sweet and entertaining pets for kids and adults alike. They won't be smelly if kept clean with a minimal time commitment and proper bedding which becomes rich garden mulch.
This is only some basic information to get you started. Good luck and have fun!
Margie
When I see my horse buddies tomorrow I will ask around. Also VIviano [at Generation West] is VERY knowlegable on chickens, maybe turkeys too?] Worth the phone call.
