Contemplating our fowl future...

[Eggnonymous]

Hello ya'll!

Another newbie here. This is just a great site - what fun!!

Well, the kids (8 & 9) have been asking "When?" since I mentioned that I'd like to have some yard birds one day for eggs. Time to get a plan. We are in rural GA west of ATL and my family had RIRs & Golden Sebrights when I was a kid. I would like to have about 5 or 6 standard hens and rooster - all docile and good w/confinement since my daughter will want to hold them a lot plus we have 2 farm cats and predators galore - hawks, coyotes, fox, possum & raccoon. I do want to build a simple tractor, too, so they can forage safely when we're around.

First question out of the box - would starting chickens in the fall be more difficult? Seems most people start with chicks and we have a barn and electricity for protection early on, but do they need to be full grown by Dec. when it starts getting cold here if we have them in a free-standing coop?

Thanks!

 

[wolfie]

From TX

Most people start with chicks from a hatchery or a breeder to get a fresh start but its sort of easier to deal with started birds but if you were to get chicks try to keep them warm for the first couple of weeks with a heat lamp/brooder lamp. It also depends on the breed you are getting so are more cold tolerant than others.

http://www.ithaca.edu/staff/jhenderson/chooks/chooks.html

Hope this helps

 

[gamebirdsonly]

from Utah

 

[Cats Critters]

 

[Eggnonymous]

Thanks Wolfie! I like that chart.

 

[saddina]

Here fall starting can be easier on birds than having to make it thru 100+ summers. Hold cold is winters where you are?

 

[bethgranberg]

Hello! Welcome

 

[b.hromada]

and

from S. Florida! Glad you joined us!

 

[eaganchickens]

from MN!

 

[usschicago1]