bmblsad
In the Brooder
- Jun 29, 2020
- 5
- 11
- 21
Hi all
Just joined BYC yesterday. I don't have any chickens yet but hope to by spring 2021. Before I jump in, I want to learn enough to lose the newbie label. I thought I would spend the balance of 2020 researching. But, not quite sure what to research first. There is SO MUCH information. All I know so far is where I want the coop. But what kind of coop? how do I make it predator proof? what kind of chickens? how many chickens? what is typical behavior for chickens? atypical? what are common disease symptoms? What are the common newbie mistakes? I could go on and on. So if you have any suggestions on where to start, feel free to recommend - books, blogs, online classes, whatever you found helpful when you were starting out.
We live in a rural area on 12 acres, mostly wooded, about 40 miles northwest of Minneapolis - so we have kind of the best of both worlds. Lots of wildlife around us including a year-round pair of bald eagles nesting nearby, lots of hawks, coyotes, fox, feral cats, raccoons, even a bear or two. So I am really worried about keeping the chickens safe. In addition to the wildlife around us, we have 2 dogs, 3 indoor cats, and about 40 fish. And a few house plants.
I'm closing in on retirement age so want to get my hobbies up and running while I still have $$ to fund them ;-) Anyway, happy to be here. Looking forward to learning.
Beth
Just joined BYC yesterday. I don't have any chickens yet but hope to by spring 2021. Before I jump in, I want to learn enough to lose the newbie label. I thought I would spend the balance of 2020 researching. But, not quite sure what to research first. There is SO MUCH information. All I know so far is where I want the coop. But what kind of coop? how do I make it predator proof? what kind of chickens? how many chickens? what is typical behavior for chickens? atypical? what are common disease symptoms? What are the common newbie mistakes? I could go on and on. So if you have any suggestions on where to start, feel free to recommend - books, blogs, online classes, whatever you found helpful when you were starting out.
We live in a rural area on 12 acres, mostly wooded, about 40 miles northwest of Minneapolis - so we have kind of the best of both worlds. Lots of wildlife around us including a year-round pair of bald eagles nesting nearby, lots of hawks, coyotes, fox, feral cats, raccoons, even a bear or two. So I am really worried about keeping the chickens safe. In addition to the wildlife around us, we have 2 dogs, 3 indoor cats, and about 40 fish. And a few house plants.
I'm closing in on retirement age so want to get my hobbies up and running while I still have $$ to fund them ;-) Anyway, happy to be here. Looking forward to learning.
Beth
Glad you joined. 
