Hello from Chicago

[sjolie]

View attachment 1915865

View attachment 1915867 Great job doing your planning and building first! Here's a tip almost everyone wishes they knew when they started: Build the coop bigger than you think you need. More chickens are sure to come later on!

Here's a few links that'll help get you prepared:
How Much Room Do Chickens Need

Chicken Coop Ventilation - Go Out There And Cut More Holes In Your Coop!

Predator Proofing

Start Raising Your Chicks Outdoors
Best wishes starting your new chicken adventure! View attachment 1915864

Thanks, and YES we are doing our homework. A Chicago "advocacy group" put on the "Windy City Coop Tour" over this weekend. We visited close to 20 people homes and chatted about raising chickens, checked out their coops and generally picked their brains on the whole subject. It was so enlightening and helpful!

 

[drumstick diva]

And build coop and run to keep predators out - Chicago does have coyotes, fox, raccoons, dog & cat chicken killers. Everything likes to eat chicken. Don't forget attacks from the sky - Kestrels, etc.

Welcome to the BYC flock.

 

[feathermaid]

Thanks, and YES we are doing our homework. A Chicago "advocacy group" put on the "Windy City Coop Tour" over this weekend. We visited close to 20 people homes and chatted about raising chickens, checked out their coops and generally picked their brains on the whole subject. It was so enlightening and helpful!

Wow, that sounds amazing! I haven't heard of anything like that around my city.

 

[fldiver97]

Welcome Nice to have you here! I didn’t know Chicago had coop tours! Madison has them at times and we’ve had backyard tours for rain gardens etc locally. Great to let folks see the possibilities and ask questions. The breeds you listed are all good for your climate. When I got my first chickens I got them from a private breeder for heritage breeds, had to drive 1 1/2 hrs each way but he agreed to take any boys back in exchange for pullets. Got 5, all girls Dumb luck. Some folks get chickens that are sex links, other options are to get pullets that will soon start laying or older hens. If you get chickens from a hatchery (usually shipped as day olds) you can order sexed chickens but accuracy is about 90%. Otherwise it’s hit or miss. Agree with DobieLover.... love walk in coops/runs. Check out the coop section, many examples!

 

[Leahs Coop]

Hello and welcome to Backyard Chickens! So glad you decided to join the flock.

 

[CarpCharacin]

Welcome to BYC! We're glad you decided to join our wonderful community!

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

Welcome to our FUNomenal community! Best wishes and have lots of fun!

 

[DiYMama540]

Welcome to our flock! Glad you decided to join! Hope you find everything you're looking for, but if not just ask!

 

[007Sean]

Howdy and Welcome to Backyard Chickens!

Happy to have you here with us. Enjoy your time here at BYC!

Thanks for joining our community!

 

[BullChick]