First Chicken Order is Pending -- I'm SCARED!

[Salt and Light]

Hello All:

This is my first post!

I've never owned a chicken in my life. My neighbor has always had chickens and provided us with eggs. He orders from McMurray and the other day, I decided it was time for me to do the same.

So, I have 25 chickens coming in a couple of weeks and I think I've over done it! I'm reading books and joining forums, I'm working on my coop (which I think is too small), but I think I'm in over my head.

Any suggestions? Oh, I order the "meat and egg" combo.

Thanks,

Ron

 

[pdsavage]

Well first take a deep breath,calm down and

.Since you ordered the meat egg combo space should not be to much of a issue since you will eat alot of em.
Im sure your neighbor can give you plenty of tips.Also member this forum is full of helpfull information.
Just read everything you can,im sure you will do great....

 

[gumpsgirl]

It will be okay, I promise!!! Our ancestors all raised thousands of chickens successfully and you can do it to!

It sounds to me like you are doing everything right! You are reading up on chickens and you are building your coop. The next thing you need to do, is get yourself a brooder together. That is a place where there are no drafts with a heat lamp to keep them warm. (My chicks always start out inside the house, but some people use the garage or barn.) You can use all sorts of things for your brooder. I use a big, plastic tub to start out with and then the chicks graduate to a HUGE box when they get to big for the plastic tub. I've also seen people use big, plastic swimming pools, dog kennels, or even build a permanent place in the coop. I finally did that last night, beings that I keep getting more chicks! You just need to decide what works best for you.

Keep reading and absorb as much information as you can while your waiting for your chicks to arrive. It truly will be okay! You have found the best website on the internet with thousands of people who will be more than happy to help you out if you ever have any questions or just need some encouragement! So take a deep breath and welcome to the world of chickens!!!

p.s. I don't think you over did your chicken order. Once you get those little fuzz balls, you'll just want to order more!

 

[Acre of Blessings]

Now the first thing you do is 1. (Don't get all stressed out over this) 2. (Go ahead and get your brooder ready) 3. ( go ahead and buy some start & grow) 4. ( get the waterers) 5. ( you will be twiddling your thumbs waiting for the chicks if you do all 4 of the other steps)

Wishing you blessings from Va in the hopes you get all healthy chicks.

Edited to say:::oops! forgot, you need to get a coop built. LOL

Welcome to the world of chickens

 

[Gindee77]

I think we all worry at first. You'll do fine. You've already found one of the best resources for any questions on having chickens ...this forum!! Don't hesitate to ask questions and read everything you can.

You're going to love it!!

 

[hoosier]

You sound like me when I first started! You will be fine. I wish I had known about this forum when I first got mine. So see, you are already one up on me and all of mine survived. Relax and enjoy your new addiction!

 

[Cheep Mama]

Welcome! You will love BYC! This is your first order with many more to come!

 

[Tutter]

Welcome, Salt and Light!

Even seasoned chicken owners sometimes wonder if they are really ready to increase their flocks. But as soon as you get the little peepers in your hands, all is well.

I've got 27 coming on the 9th, so we will have little ones at the same time!

I just re-read what you are getting.

Actually, with 15 of those birds leaving in less than 2 months, you really aren't over your head. That will only leave you 10 birds by August. The way I see it, you will be planning more in your egg flock pretty soon!

If you have any specific concerns, just let us know.

 

[Salt and Light]

Thanks for all the replies and hearty "welcomes". I can tell that I'm in the right place.

I think my biggest concern is the chicken coop. I have an existing coop that I've been using for storage. It's an 8 x 8 building covered with chicken wire w/ tin roofing on top of that. There is currently no front on the coop. I've relocated an existing dog run ( 8' x 12') in front of the coop. Both the coop and run need repairs, but what I'm fretting is the layout of the coop.

What all do I need in there? Oh, my money is very tight so everything is on a shoestring budget.

 

[FLchook]

Hey! Where in Central Florida do ya live?? Im in Oviedo.......

Ok...do I have this right.......They have a coop that is 8x8, then a run that is 8x12? Or have you combined the two for a roughly 16x20 coop? Will they free range?

As adults, standard size chickens need a minimum of 4 sqft coop space per bird. Im not sure how much run space you add to that. My chickens have always free ranged, so never had to consider that. So...with 25 chooks, thats about 100 sqft minimum. ***SOME ONE CORRECT ME HERE IF IM WRONG

****

Just a suggestion on some cheap wood....try pulling apart some palates (sp?) To save money, hubby is pulling apart some to reside my coop. Lots of places are happy to give them away. Just make sure to paint it to help weather proof it.

Also..make sure that coop is as secure as fort Knox. My coop is being resided because a coon, or a opposum, broke a hole into the side and had a buffet inside

Good Luck....and relax!