Hi y'all! We finally moved into our home in the country; 4 acres, and I have an existing shed that I'll be converting into a coop this spring. (It's almost brand new, thankful my hubby is letting me convert it!!) We will be adding a predator-proof run, also hoping to free range the flock as much as possible. I'm excited about having a small flock, getting some eggs, and watching their chicken antics I ordered my chicks today from Murray McMurray hatchery. (They were recommended by folks on this site, as well as by my local Rural King store.) I ordered a total of 17; 3 hens each of cuckoo maran, black australorps, silver laced wyandotte, black star, and dominiques. I also ordered a dominiques rooster. (I don't know if I want to breed my own chicks, I got the rooster to help protect the flock.) They are sending a "surprise" chicken as well, that should be fun, lol! I'll receive them 4/6. Growing up, my uncles had dairy farms, also raised chickens, rabbits and pigs. I've got a basic understanding of chicken raising, but it's been years, and "my" way will be considerably different - my chickens will be more pet than livestock. (Not that there's anything wrong at all with chicken farming, it's just not my goal. We just want some eggs and a fun family project.) I'm looking forward to getting to know other "chicken folk" and hopefully not annoying anyone with all the questions I'll have.