Chicken Newbie :)

[ChicknLittleLexi]

Hello everyone! So I've been doing a bit of research here on the site in preparation for bringing some new baby chickies into our home this Spring! We are committing the cardinal sin of purchasing 2-3 chicks for our daughter this Easter, HOWEVER our intentions are to then turn them into beloved family members who just so happen to lay our eggs - or pets with perks! My daughter is 2 years old (not old enough to help much, if at all) and my husband and I are dedicated to providing an environment in which she grows up with and learns about all manner of animals, and chickens are just the start. SO, all of that out of the way...

I am wondering if anyone can help me (either by listing out or providing the links to) to prepare in the best way possible for these chicks we are about to acquire? I want to be sure that we purchase the correct breed for our environment (foothills in Northern California), that we have a proper brooder, the correct feed (medicated or not?), enough light (but not too much!), and then as the chickies mature what size coop is appropriate, heck even how to best build a nice portable coop (we rent our home, so it can't be too permanent but it obviously must be safe and adequate for the hens).

Also, any additional tips or advice for new chicken owners would be fabulous! Like I said, I've done a bit of research and still have over a month to do even more, so I want to be as well "trained" and as knowledgeable as possible!

I am so happy I found this site

 

[dkvart1]

Greetings and

I too am preparing for chickens, but not until at least the end of June, we are moving on June 1st... this is a great place to learn! Good luck with you chicken adventure!

 

[Chickeninthemeadow]

We're just starting our chicken journey too. I've ordered 6 Buff Orpingtons from Sumner Byrd Farm (a small local hatchery that we have to pick up at as they don't ship birds) but I may make it 8 Orps or if they have them, 4 Orps and 4 Speckled Sussex. We may bump to 10 chicks too. So many decisions to make!

Anyway, I'm excited. I have planned out my brood box (will be a 2 ft X 4 ft box basically made of plywood.) My design should allow me to double its use as a Nesting Box as well. Is 8 square feet big enough for about 10 chicks?

These chickens are to teach me about chickens so that in a year or two, my son can do things in 4-H with chickens and I won't be a complete idiot about them. I can't afford a horse for him, but chickens are pretty cheap and from what I've seen as much or as little work that you want to put into them.

 

[CuriousChicken]

I've had my rooster Chicken-Butt for a year, he was an accident. I rescued him and the next day (after the frenzy to keep him alive) I realized I knew nothing about chickens. I surfed the net until I found BYC and it's been my chicken home ever since, as to what chickens are best for North Cali I would ask GammaPoppyLilyFlutter I know she's in the northern cali area and she may be able to tell you which ones do best. You could also go to BYC home and head over to the breeds listing, it'll give you the low down on most of the breeds (what thier egg procuction is and the temperatures the tolerate etc.) On the BYC home page there are also some portable coop designs that are great... What I'm saying is that BYC really is a one stop info shop for all yoru chicken info needs. If your here you're in the right place. Good luck with the new babies.