First time flock raiser coming in March... yikes!

[Jake H]

Hi All, My name is Jake and I just recently moved to Baltimore County, MD. My wife and two little girls (3.5 years and 8 months) decided we want to start our own little flock in our backyard for eggs. Neither my wife or I, or our girls for that matter, have ever owned chickens or have any experience with it. I've been doing a lot of research but I've found if I read long enough sometimes I'm more confused then when I started! I'm going to build the coop myself and have a little bit of woodworking experience, but I've never built a structure before (just furniture). So, if anyone has any advice/tips on what kind of chickens you'd recommend, what type of coop that works best (and ideally detailed plans on how to build), winning/losing strategies, etc. etc. I'm sure there are things I've never even thought of, please let me know. Thanks in advance to everyone, I've already been a part of a thread that immediately proved very helpful so I'm already thankful to be a part of BYC!

 

[thudson]

Hello and welcome to the BYC! Since you have little ones I might suggest you try some Easter eggers as your breed of choice. They are real good layers and it will be like an Easter egg hunt for your little ones as they grow up. The eggs will vary in color and the kids will enjoy gathering them. I am partial to this breed myself due to all their character. Good luck! Once again Welcome!

 

[Wickedchicken6]

Hello Jake and welcome to BYC!! It’s so nice to have you join us!

This video may help with learning how to navigate the new site.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask one of us.

 

[21hens-incharge]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/category/chicken-coops.12/

This link will take you to a plethora of great coops that folks here built.
Many have wonderful instructions too.

Have you found your States thread?
The best folks to ask about which breeds would do well where you are would be the folks already raising them there.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/find-your-states-thread.270925/


Chickens are fun. I am sure you will enjoy having a flock.

 

[drumstick diva]

Hi Jake, lots of info and instructions on the "Coop threads." Should be of help to you.

 

[A.M. Eggs]

Welcome to BYC! It's so much fun having your own chickens and I'm glad to share the best kind of chickens you can own for your small family!

*Buff Orpingtons
Sweet chicken that's a good layer of brown eggs.
*Barred Rocks/Plymouth Rocks
A kind breed that lays large brown eggs and is very docile.
*Cochins
One of the more fun breeds to own, Cochins are feather-footed sweet hearts that will give variety to your flock!
*Leghorns
A more skiddish breed that lays a lot of white eggs.
*Easter Eggers
These are a breed of chicken that lay blue, green, or pink-ish eggs. They can come in many colors and many sizes. Some have muffs, or what I like to call beards, and some don't.

I hope you enjoy raising your own chickens!

 

[007Sean]

Howdy Jake Happyto have you join the family. Enjoy your time here at BYC!

 

[MrsMistyReal]

Welcome aboard to BYC family gr8 people tons of information and loads of fun enjoy shake your tail feathers

 

[Dawnclucks22]

Easter Eggers all the way. I also love the Orpingtons and Barred Rocks.
Good luck with your coop building and if you have questions don't be shy to post them!

 

[Teila]

G’Day from down under Jake Welcome!

Do I have some reading material for you! Hopefully helpful and not an addition to the confusion.

You might be interested in downloading this free e-book My First Year With Chickens

BYC has a Learning Centre and also Topic of the Week articles which I have found to be a great resource and a one stop shop for questions which may have already been discussed within the BYC membership group. There are discussions on setting up the coop and the run along with other useful topics. I think this one in particular may be of interest to you at this stage:
Topic of the Week - Getting Started, Keeping Chickens

This article may also be helpful with deciding on a breed: Pickin a Chicken

I do 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.

If you would like to share Pictures and Stories of your flock when they arrive, you have come to the right place. BYC’ers never tire of these and do not back away slowly or commence eye rolling when the photo album or home videos come out

Best wishes and good luck!