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Hello Chicken Community - Randy from Iowa/Illinois - Thanks for having me.

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randypetersen said:
(1) Are you new to chickens / when did you first get chickens?
I am pretty new to all this.
(2) How many chickens do you have right now?
Currently zero - chicks are ordered.
(3) What breeds do you have?
I ordered a variety. Last year I was researching varieties but never came to a conclusion. This year I just decided to order some different breeds.
(4) What are your favorite aspects of raising backyard chickens?
I like that chickens are a good part of the farmette. Good for garden. Eat ticks and bugs. Not just eggs... but I do love eggs.
(5) What are some of your other hobbies?
Carpentry - Technology
(6) Tell us about your family, your other pets, your occupation, or anything else you'd like to share.
Two daughters 9yo and 5yo, I am think they will get a kick out of this. Our family dog is a concern, she's a poodle.
(7) Bonus: How did you find BYC, how long have you known about BYC, and what made you finally join our awesome community? :D
Looking for coop and brooder designs ended up here often, so decided to create an account and interact with this awesome community. Thanks for having me!!
Click to expand...
Welcome to BYC!!
 
Glad to meet you, Randy, and welcome to BYC. I think your daughters will just love the chicks, and it will be such a cool father/daughter project that they will always remember.

Here are my favorite beginning articles that helped me as a newbie. All articles are short, have illustrations, and reviews, which are often worth looking at for the comments.

1. Intro to chicken keeping

2. Common mistakes & how to fix them

3. Ventilation (important to chicken health), with helpful links to coop designs organized by climate (because what is just right for my New England hens won't work for my brother's Arizona chickens)

3(a). Farmers Almanac on Building Coops (Includes size requirements!) Allowing plenty of space for chickens is really important because, even as chicks, they will start pecking each other or plucking their own feathers, or become unhealthy if they are overcrowded. Here is a link to Colorado State Extension's publication on space and temperature requirements for chicks as they age.

4. Predator protection for new & existing coops

5. Dealing with a muddy coop and run

6. Introduce your dog to chickens

To look for articles on your own:

A. Use the SEARCH button, but use the Advanced Search choice, and select ARTICLES at the top of the box. Just enter your keyword(s) and scroll through your results!

B. I find it helpful to notice the rating and reviews. All articles are by BYC members, and all the reviews/ratings are as well. The ratings help a newbie like me sort the most useful and reliable articles.

C. You can bookmark the articles or posts you think you want to refer to again using that bookmark icon at the top of articles or posts. You can find them again by clicking on your own avatar and looking at the list of bookmarks you have built up!

Notes about where to put a coop:

1. As far as you can, put a coop and run on high ground, that drains well, so you won't have so much muddy coop problems. Chickens need to be dry, dry, dry.

2. As far as you can, put a coop with the ventilation lined up with your prevailing breezes, and away from the direction of your storms. If you are not sure of these (who is these days?), check with your local National Weather Service website.

3. As far as you can, arrange for some sort of shade over your coop and run. Preferably deciduous so the girls will enjoy winter sun, but summer shade.
 
Welcome to the coop! I use the Forums and Articles tabs at the top of the page to do research. You can get lost for hours. It's nice to know you are minutes away from getting help with questions and emergencies! I always check in the "What's New" section as well at the top of this page. This way I can read how I may have a similar question or help give some advice.
 

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