First Timer Here

[JlovesPHXtheGSD]

Hello!

First time getting chicks here. We ordered 22 to be here this week and I have nothing ready.

We ordered barred rocks, Buff orpingtons, black laced wyandotte, biefelders, & Rhode Island Reds. We wanted them for eggs but figured it may not be bad to have some for meat if we needed it. We ordered 2 roosters with them; one buff & one barred rock.

We live rurally around a lot of woods. We also have 2 dogs that I am nervous about with the chickens since we plan to do free range with no run. We have a 5 year old German shepherd (found as a stray) & a 14 year old chocolate lab that was trained some (and probably was bred for...) bird hunting. The lab was purchased off craigslist as a dumped dog but from her behaviors at a young age I suspect she was bred as a bird dog. The shepherd is very sweet but being a high prey breed I am worried.

We were attracted to chickens for self sufficiency & egg quality. We also have plans of bee keeping if the chickens go well .

 

[LTAY1946]

Hello and Welcome to BYC. Glad to have you in this Poultry Loving Community.

 

[SilverBirds]

Welcome to BYC! Thanks for joining us.

I highly recommended building a run for your chickens. It will not only protect them from your dogs, but any other animals that come into your yard looking for a tasty meal.

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.

You are likely to have major problems with free ranging your flock with dogs that have high prey drive. Have you considered penning them in a large area using electrified poultry netting?

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC, and good luck with your chicks.

 

[Kenneth Zweerink]

Welcome to BackYard Chickens. The Best of Luck with your Plans. And a Big Hello from Eastern Nebraska!

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello and welcome to BYC!

Yes you will need a large run to protect your birds from the dogs, most dogs see chickens as a meal.

If you have any questions about anything along the way, be sure to ask.

Welcome to our community!

 

[Debbie292d]

Hello!

First time getting chicks here. We ordered 22 to be here this week and I have nothing ready.

Welcome to BYC!!

You need a "brooder" for them with a heat source on one side of it, and a thermometer as they will need to be at around 90-95F when you first put them in there. It decreases by 5 degrees each week give or take. The brooder needs to be large enough so that they can get away from the heat. I'd head over to the Learning Center and skim some articles to help you.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[N F C]

Hello, I agree with the previous greeters...you are most likely going to have bird losses without providing a run to protect your upcoming flock. Best wishes!

 

[Bella the Chicken Lover]

Hello!

First time getting chicks here. We ordered 22 to be here this week and I have nothing ready.

We ordered barred rocks, Buff orpingtons, black laced wyandotte, biefelders, & Rhode Island Reds. We wanted them for eggs but figured it may not be bad to have some for meat if we needed it. We ordered 2 roosters with them; one buff & one barred rock.

We live rurally around a lot of woods. We also have 2 dogs that I am nervous about with the chickens since we plan to do free range with no run. We have a 5 year old German shepherd (found as a stray) & a 14 year old chocolate lab that was trained some (and probably was bred for...) bird hunting. The lab was purchased off craigslist as a dumped dog but from her behaviors at a young age I suspect she was bred as a bird dog. The shepherd is very sweet but being a high prey breed I am worried.

We were attracted to chickens for self sufficiency & egg quality. We also have plans of bee keeping if the chickens go well .

Hi!! Welcome to BYC!!
Hope all goes well with your flock!