complete newbie!

[spid3r1987]

Hello,
My wife and myself have decided we want to keep 4 to 6 chickens for egg laying.
we don't have a coop yet, or decided on what breed yet.
we are not even sure what has to go inside the coop etc..

we have been looking into a hybrid type, mainly the "warren", but i have read that egg production starts off good at 15-18 weeks then slowly decreases after year 1?
is this the same for the Rhode island red?

is it best to build my own coop or buy a ready made one for £300 :/:/
whats best to feed them? premade food or something else?
do i put a heat lamp in the coop to keep them warm? (i live in england, south yorkshire)
no clue what im doing just yet
so any advice is greatly appreciated!!

 

[redsoxs]

Greetings and

! It's great to have you aboard! Congratulations on your chickens! Many of the questions you are asking can be answered in the great articles in the Learning Center here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center
But I will take a shot at a few of your questions:
-I think Rhode Island Red will begin laying after the 18 week mark - probably closer to 20+
-Once fully feathered (4-6 weeks) there is no need for supplemental heat in the coop
-Pre-forumlated chick as well as layer feed is commercially available
-Most find pre-made coops both too small and too poorly constructed and go with making their own. A word of advice on this - if you do make the coop, make it larger than you'll think you need. Chickens can be addictive and you will likely want to add more!!
Another member of BYC, YorkshireCoop, will be along shortly to say hello. There is a an active UK thread where you can pop over and say hello: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/655508/uk-member-please-say-hi
Best wishes and thank you so much for joining BYC!!!

 

[Pork Pie]

Tha's reet welcome to BYC

Great advice and links from redsoxs so I'll just say hi. There's a few Tykes around BYC so feel at home.

Cheers
CT

 

[N F C]

If I remember correctly, what you call "warrens", we in the States refer to as sex links. Those hybrids are prolific layers but usually laying tapers off around the 2nd year. RIR's should continue to lay for a longer period of time but age catches up with any breed eventually. I've had both the sex links and the RIR's and enjoyed them. Maybe a mixed flock would be for you...that way you could "sample" a variety of birds and see how you like the different breeds.

Best of luck to you, thanks for joining us!

 

[Teila]

G’Day from down under spid3r1987

Welcome!

As you have already received some good advice and links, I will just wish you all the best.

I hope you enjoy being a BYC member. There are lots of friendly and very helpful folks here so not only is it overflowing with useful information it is also a great place to make friends and have some fun. Unlike non chicken loving friends, family and colleagues, BYC’ers never tire of stories or pictures that feature our feathered and non feathered friends

 

[drumstick diva]