Consolidated Kansas

[sharol]

Welcome MsDebD

I learned everything I needed to know from this list and that book. Great way to start.

2 pieces of advice. Build the coop before you get the babies, and get good stock from a local breeder. You are in a good place for the second since we have some terrific people in the area (I'm near Emporia).

There is a great coops thread, and they are serious when they say 4 sq ft. in the coop and 10 in the run per laying hen. There is also a great thread on diseases that will convince you to isolate new birds if you add more later.

Welcome, glad to have you. Let us know what you decide to get.

 

[chicken danz]

I like all the talk about the bantams. It echoes my thoughts about them. But my daughter is trying to talk me into getting her some bantams this year. She has seen some video of the table top showing of the Seramas. They are the funniest little guys. I’ve read a little bit about them. They are very small, so will able to go throw the free range fence. They do not like cold weather, so heated coop. The eggs are a little bigger than quail eggs. It just sounds like a lot of trouble to me.

How are the Cochins to take care of? Winter hardy? Egg size? Do you have to clean feathered feet?

Don't let what you read fool you. Seramas handle the winters here just fine. It's just a matter of letting them acclimate to the temperatures. I wouldn't bring in a Serama from say Florida during the winter and expect it to thrive out in an unheated coop in Kansas. But if you raise them here they do just fine. I had them over two winters outside in a coop with no heat and only a heated water bowl and they did as good as any other chicken. I have never lost a bird to cold that wasn't a juvenile but I sure have lost plenty to heat. Seramas are good for pets because they can be very sweet but even to show they are limited. If you get them small enough to be desirable they are most likely not fertile. I had a few pullets that weighed less than 6 ounces and some tiny roosters but the little birds are most likely sterile. The larger Seramas produce various sizes and you have to cull many to have show quality. They also have a deadly gene which causes a good number of them to either not hatch or die within a few days. I definitely wouldn't recommend them for a child or she will have a broken heart for sure later on.
Cochins are lovely and are winter hardy as well. Feathered feet stay amazingly clean but most people who show prefer clean feet because show cages can get dirty. In nature however I see feathered feet staying clean for the most part. Cochins are also normally very calm birds and easy to make pets. Bantam Cochin eggs are surprisingly large for a bantam. Judging from the bantam types I've bred I would recommend a d'uccle over most breeds. They are beautiful, are very sweet, come in a variety of accepted colors and win every ones' hearts. The problem of course is finding good stock. Avoid hatchery stock which are often missing beards. Try to locate some show stock to begin with. Of course that is true when it comes to any birds you intend to show. I hate seeing these kids proudly take their birds to the fair to have them disqualified because they are some misrepresented or hatchery stock that doesn't represent the breed at all. Of course I'm expressing my opinion so there are going to be disagreements. I am just going from my own personal experience.

Welcome MsDebD

I learned everything I needed to know from this list and that book. Great way to start.

2 pieces of advice. Build the coop before you get the babies, and get good stock from a local breeder. You are in a good place for the second since we have some terrific people in the area (I'm near Emporia).

There is a great coops thread, and they are serious when they say 4 sq ft. in the coop and 10 in the run per laying hen. There is also a great thread on diseases that will convince you to isolate new birds if you add more later.

Welcome, glad to have you. Let us know what you decide to get.

Hello from Lawrence. I'm so new to chickens I don't even have any yet. We started out with borrowed goats last year knowing nothing about them other than they would clear out our fence line. We bought a few of our own. Lost a couple. Figured out what to feed them and how to house them for the winter. My husband has gritted his teeth through the whole thing swearing that we're going to know something about chickens before we get chickens.Although I know I'll learn more from here than we'd ever learn from a book, he isn't going to go online so I bought him Raising Chickens For Dummies as one of his Christmas gifts. We'll see where it goes from there. Looking forward to getting to know some of you folks....and eventually getting to know some chickens. Count on me having lots of questions.

I can also recommend a book called Success with Baby Chicks by Robert Plamondon. If you are starting with chicks rather than adult birds his information is wonderful. He also gives some good advice on coops and such. My advice is always build a coop much larger than you anticipate you will need. You are always going to need more space because chickens are addictive and you'll want to add more and more. Never say never when it comes to birds!
I can guarantee you you can get plenty of sound advise right here to about any question you ask. Combined there's a lot of years experience in those that post or have posted and occasionally pop in. You will even get conflicting advise because we have differing opinions at times but that is the beauty of this thread. It's more like a group of friends who do things differently allowing you to make the best choice for your particular situation.
Feel free to ask anything at all. The first decision you will need to make is what you want. Just egg layers. Egg layers and lap pets, egg and meat chickens, Just yard art birds, Birds to breed, birds to show, mixed breeds or what. Then take it from there. We can help you find birds as well.

 

[Ralph Moyer]

My advice to anyone considering raising livestock or poultry for the first time, would be to answer these few questions.: Do you have the spare time for proper care? Have you considered the cost of feed? Do you live in an area where it is permitted? Do you have an area that is large enough to handle and house them? Are you raising them for food? Do you plan on breeding and raising your own?
You can read about all the do's and don'ts, but most knowledge is gained from personal experience. And not all of that is positive. I'm no expert by any means. I'm just an old man with personal experience.

 

[MsDebD]

Thank you for the welcome! I really am going to need lots of advice. I want chickens for eggs and meat. We had started out with borrowed meat goats and my husband grew so attached that he's made it very clear that, if that was the route we took, he wouldn't be able to eat one of our own goats. (I grew up with beef cattle...some that I bottle fed and some that I helped fatten for butchering, so I feel a little different about the situation. But he's a sweetie and that's why I love him...and I really wanted dairy goats anyway.) He is coming around to the idea that he might not be so attached to chickens. We'll see how that one plays out.
I know he's going to just want to buy some chicks at Orscheln. I'd prefer to purchase them local but I also can't afford to break the bank right now. If someone can give me an idea of the price difference as well as the reasons why, I could at least start easing him into the idea.
Should we start with baby chicks? Or a little older?
Also, I think I've created a problem. I found a damaged pre-built (like the ones at Orscheln) chicken coop that's probably about 4x8 maybe. It has three nesting areas and it has been put on wheels so it can be moved around. We can get it cheap and it's a real temptation since our goat shed building experience was expensive, not fun and took pretty much all of last summer. Now that I've shown it to David and he likes the idea of getting it I have a feeling it won't hold as many chickens as we are going to need. On the other hand, we plan to let them out in the yard in the afternoons and we can build a run. It's the housing part that scares us. Should we get it, start small and build something bigger later?
As for number of eggs needed, there should be just the two of us but we have three adult children that live in town with a total of 6 grandchildren plus friends and, last but certainly not least, a Great Pyr that expects an egg every day with his dog food. (He was fostered with chickens so I'm looking forward to seeing how he does with them.) How does the number of egg consumers compute into number of chickens to purchase?
Oh, and I made the mistake of also buying my husband a Nebraska Football book along with the Raising Chickens book so he's not reading about chickens right now. So if there are little tidbits of info that I should be dropping on him to get him prepared for our next great adventure, please let me know.
Really looking forward to chickens! (And it's keeping my mind off wanting baby goats. Yes, I understand animal addiction.)
TIA!

 

[TaraBellaBirds]

Thank you for the welcome! I really am going to need lots of advice. I want chickens for eggs and meat. We had started out with borrowed meat goats and my husband grew so attached that he's made it very clear that, if that was the route we took, he wouldn't be able to eat one of our own goats. (I grew up with beef cattle...some that I bottle fed and some that I helped fatten for butchering, so I feel a little different about the situation. But he's a sweetie and that's why I love him...and I really wanted dairy goats anyway.) He is coming around to the idea that he might not be so attached to chickens. We'll see how that one plays out.
I know he's going to just want to buy some chicks at Orscheln. I'd prefer to purchase them local but I also can't afford to break the bank right now. If someone can give me an idea of the price difference as well as the reasons why, I could at least start easing him into the idea.
Should we start with baby chicks? Or a little older?
Also, I think I've created a problem. I found a damaged pre-built (like the ones at Orscheln) chicken coop that's probably about 4x8 maybe. It has three nesting areas and it has been put on wheels so it can be moved around. We can get it cheap and it's a real temptation since our goat shed building experience was expensive, not fun and took pretty much all of last summer. Now that I've shown it to David and he likes the idea of getting it I have a feeling it won't hold as many chickens as we are going to need. On the other hand, we plan to let them out in the yard in the afternoons and we can build a run. It's the housing part that scares us. Should we get it, start small and build something bigger later?
As for number of eggs needed, there should be just the two of us but we have three adult children that live in town with a total of 6 grandchildren plus friends and, last but certainly not least, a Great Pyr that expects an egg every day with his dog food. (He was fostered with chickens so I'm looking forward to seeing how he does with them.) How does the number of egg consumers compute into number of chickens to purchase?
Oh, and I made the mistake of also buying my husband a Nebraska Football book along with the Raising Chickens book so he's not reading about chickens right now. So if there are little tidbits of info that I should be dropping on him to get him prepared for our next great adventure, please let me know.
Really looking forward to chickens! (And it's keeping my mind off wanting baby goats. Yes, I understand animal addiction.)
TIA!

The price difference between hatchery stock and breeder can be a bit or a lot depending on the breed. That is where you want to begin. Check out different breeds and figure out which ones will work best for you.

The people on this thread have a wide variety of birds and I am sure we can find you what you want within your price range.

As for the damaged coop, that might be a good place to start. As you said you can expand later. I would go take a look at it, to make sure that it doen't need more work than what it is worth. If you free range then all you would need to concern yourself with is roosting space per bird. Someone else will have to advise you on that, space was never an issue for us.

 

[chicken danz]

Thank you for the welcome! I really am going to need lots of advice. I want chickens for eggs and meat. We had started out with borrowed meat goats and my husband grew so attached that he's made it very clear that, if that was the route we took, he wouldn't be able to eat one of our own goats. (I grew up with beef cattle...some that I bottle fed and some that I helped fatten for butchering, so I feel a little different about the situation. But he's a sweetie and that's why I love him...and I really wanted dairy goats anyway.) He is coming around to the idea that he might not be so attached to chickens. We'll see how that one plays out.
I know he's going to just want to buy some chicks at Orscheln. I'd prefer to purchase them local but I also can't afford to break the bank right now. If someone can give me an idea of the price difference as well as the reasons why, I could at least start easing him into the idea.
This all depends on what you really want. You may be able to purchase good quality chicks for about the same price as Orshlen's hatchery chickens and most likely they are going to be much healthier without shipping stress and other things which can cause you to loose them much quicker. Or you may pay a few dollars more but keep in mind you get what you pay for. I would highly recommend you don't purchase cornish cross chicks unless you intend to only butcher. They aren't a great chick experience and they are bred to be butchered quickly. They die young of heart problems and broken legs if you keep them too long.
Should we start with baby chicks? Or a little older?
This all depends on the experience you want. Baby chicks demand time and effort but to me it is much more rewarding. You can tame them to your liking in most cases which makes them a lot more fun in the long run. The first 6 weeks are what takes the most time. You are going to pay more for an older bird but of course you see eggs and meat a lot sooner that way. Personally I wouldn't start with older chickens. You miss so much of the fun that way. You can start with some that are started though if you buy from an individual. That first week or so of life is the most tender when it comes to birds. But again it will require a little more equipment and time.
Also, I think I've created a problem. I found a damaged pre-built (like the ones at Orscheln) chicken coop that's probably about 4x8 maybe. It has three nesting areas and it has been put on wheels so it can be moved around. We can get it cheap and it's a real temptation since our goat shed building experience was expensive, not fun and took pretty much all of last summer. Now that I've shown it to David and he likes the idea of getting it I have a feeling it won't hold as many chickens as we are going to need. On the other hand, we plan to let them out in the yard in the afternoons and we can build a run. It's the housing part that scares us. Should we get it, start small and build something bigger later?
If this is a store purchased coop, don't waste your money. They are built cheap and weak and will blow over in the wind. They will allow predators easy access and they aren't often finished to keep them from deteriorating in the weather. I know several people who purchased these both new and used and regret it 100%. They're made to be cute...not functional. If the one you are looking at is something that someone made however and uses better quality wood and wire it might be okay. Assuming that part of that coop is a shelter and part of it a pen It would probably only house 3-4 chickens at most. If the thing is 4 x 8 and doesn't include the run it might have possibilities. If you can provide a larger run you could use it for temporary housing until you make up your mind how many birds you plan to have all together.
As for number of eggs needed, there should be just the two of us but we have three adult children that live in town with a total of 6 grandchildren plus friends and, last but certainly not least, a Great Pyr that expects an egg every day with his dog food. (He was fostered with chickens so I'm looking forward to seeing how he does with them.) How does the number of egg consumers compute into number of chickens to purchase?
Oh, and I made the mistake of also buying my husband a Nebraska Football book along with the Raising Chickens book so he's not reading about chickens right now. So if there are little tidbits of info that I should be dropping on him to get him prepared for our next great adventure, please let me know.
Really looking forward to chickens! (And it's keeping my mind off wanting baby goats. Yes, I understand animal addiction.)
TIA!
My brother and his wife are planning to get chickens for the first time this spring. They asked me last week how many they would need. I told them what I have told many others. For two people you would need at least 6 pullets. If you buy chicks I would recommend getting 12 to start because you can count on about 50% being cockerels and at least a 10% loss. Just because the bins in a store call them pullets don't believe it. They have a high degree of error. So assuming you have 6 pullets you can count on about 3 eggs a day on average...depending on breed and season etc. I recommend adding 6 more each spring and or fall. Simply because you will loose a bird for some reason most likely, and when one group goes into molt you will have back up birds to lay. I personally like adding my layers in early fall because fall chicks will start laying late the following spring. And when your spring birds go into molt and quit laying, your younger birds will most likely still lay.
Also consider what kind you have. If you buy a sex link bird you will get more eggs for your money but also they wear out within 2 years so it is short lived. A good choice for eggs alone but not a good choice for pets. Keep in mind any time you have extra eggs you can give them away or sell them ....or in my case I feed them to the dogs or make things like angel food cake.
I'd sure be getting on line and reading about all the different breeds and their attributes. Then once you see a few you think you might like ask this group their opinions on the breed.

 

[MsDebD]

Will start looking through this site, so some reading and talk to the hand full of people I know who raise chickens and see if I can find some intelligent questions to ask about which breeds to start with. Thanks again!

 

[chicken danz]

This is probably one of the best places to look at the different breeds and descriptions. A good place to start.
http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/BRKChickensA-C.html

 

[Trish44]

Hello from Lawrence. I'm so new to chickens I don't even have any yet. We started out with borrowed goats last year knowing nothing about them other than they would clear out our fence line. We bought a few of our own. Lost a couple. Figured out what to feed them and how to house them for the winter. My husband has gritted his teeth through the whole thing swearing that we're going to know something about chickens before we get chickens.Although I know I'll learn more from here than we'd ever learn from a book, he isn't going to go online so I bought him Raising Chickens For Dummies as one of his Christmas gifts. We'll see where it goes from there. Looking forward to getting to know some of you folks....and eventually getting to know some chickens. Count on me having lots of questions.

My advice is to get prepared for the chickens before you get any. Research breeds & see what fits your needs the best. A lot of us have a variety of breeds so we can probably advise you on most of the common ones anyway & Danz & I have some rare breeds as well. You need housing before you get the chickens so they will be safe from predators & you will be prepared to care for them. I think getting chicks is best because you can kind of learn as you go along with them & they get to know you easier than if you try to get adult birds. They will also adapt better to their environment if you raise them from chicks. You will probably need a few more than you really think you do because one they don't all lay every day & two you will catch the chicken math bug & want more after you get some. You'll see what we mean after you get them. The chicken tractor will only work for a very few birds to start out with so you would be very limited on numbers. If you plan on having some for meat & eggs I recommend buying or building a bigger coop. You can get a storage shed or other building like that & adapt it, however you need to make sure you can add enough ventilation, that is one of the most important things of all. Chickens need very good ventilation because they put off a lot of heat & the droppings & all will cause respiratory problems if they don't have a way for that to disperse. It's always better to have more room than you need so you have room for expansion later on & you will need it, trust me. There are a lot of pictures of coops of all kinds on BYC so you can get ideas. Many people have used pallets & recycled wood to build with making their coop more economical. It's up to you what you want to do. We built our goat shelter mostly out of free pallets for the frame & floor & covered it with some wood siding. The siding was the most of the cost & then we used free tin I got for the roof & some free 2x4s that were given to me used. It is now the sheep shelter but I plan to try to build the goats a similar shelter in the spring. Right now they're using a free topper we got for their shelter. Here is another good resource for breed info: http://www.sagehenfarmlodi.com/chooks/chooks.html

I like all the talk about the bantams. It echoes my thoughts about them. But my daughter is trying to talk me into getting her some bantams this year. She has seen some video of the table top showing of the Seramas. They are the funniest little guys. I’ve read a little bit about them. They are very small, so will able to go throw the free range fence. They do not like cold weather, so heated coop. The eggs are a little bigger than quail eggs. It just sounds like a lot of trouble to me.

How are the Cochins to take care of? Winter hardy? Egg size? Do you have to clean feathered feet?

I have not had Seramas but Danz told you about those. This is my first winter with Cochins & so far they're doing fine. HEChicken who isn't on here much has had them through a couple of winters & said they did great. The egg size is very small, so if you wanted those for eating it would take several for a meal. I think a lot of people who live in town & have a limited space for chickens like the smaller birds & they do eat less than the bigger ones. I haven't had to clean feet, mine are in a pen where I keep straw on the ground & they have a dog house to get into.

 

[sharol]

My advice is to get prepared for the chickens before you get any. Research breeds & see what fits your needs the best. A lot of us have a variety of breeds so we can probably advise you on most of the common ones anyway & Danz & I have some rare breeds as well. You need housing before you get the chickens so they will be safe from predators & you will be prepared to care for them. I think getting chicks is best because you can kind of learn as you go along with them & they get to know you easier than if you try to get adult birds. They will also adapt better to their environment if you raise them from chicks. You will probably need a few more than you really think you do because one they don't all lay every day & two you will catch the chicken math bug & want more after you get some. You'll see what we mean after you get them. The chicken tractor will only work for a very few birds to start out with so you would be very limited on numbers. If you plan on having some for meat & eggs I recommend buying or building a bigger coop. You can get a storage shed or other building like that & adapt it, however you need to make sure you can add enough ventilation, that is one of the most important things of all. Chickens need very good ventilation because they put off a lot of heat & the droppings & all will cause respiratory problems if they don't have a way for that to disperse. It's always better to have more room than you need so you have room for expansion later on & you will need it, trust me. There are a lot of pictures of coops of all kinds on BYC so you can get ideas. Many people have used pallets & recycled wood to build with making their coop more economical. It's up to you what you want to do. We built our goat shelter mostly out of free pallets for the frame & floor & covered it with some wood siding. The siding was the most of the cost & then we used free tin I got for the roof & some free 2x4s that were given to me used. It is now the sheep shelter but I plan to try to build the goats a similar shelter in the spring. Right now they're using a free topper we got for their shelter. Here is another good resource for breed info: http://www.sagehenfarmlodi.com/chooks/chooks.html

I have not had Seramas but Danz told you about those. This is my first winter with Cochins & so far they're doing fine. HEChicken who isn't on here much has had them through a couple of winters & said they did great. The egg size is very small, so if you wanted those for eating it would take several for a meal. I think a lot of people who live in town & have a limited space for chickens like the smaller birds & they do eat less than the bigger ones. I haven't had to clean feet, mine are in a pen where I keep straw on the ground & they have a dog house to get into.