Hello from Minnesota

[Kevin565]

 

[weimarmama]

&

from Alabama. Glad you joined us.

 

[AliceMae]

Hi all--

Glad to have found you! I'm new to this -- both the site and chickens! -- so I'd appreciate any help you can offer. We don't have any chickens yet, but are planning to start our first flock this spring. I have more questions than this space can possibly hold. What advice would you offer a beginner? Once we have a good, safe coop built, what comes next? How many chickens should I start with? Do I need a rooster if we don't want chicks (at least until we're more experienced)? How much time will we need to spend each day on egg-gathering, feeding, watering, interacting, cleaning, upkeep, etc.? Where should I get my first chickens? Are there people here who raise chickens for meat as well as eggs? How do I know the eggs I'm collecting are good for eating? Any good site recommendations for ducks (we're thinking about ducks as well). Are we in over our heads? Any other hard-earned wisdom or advice you can offer?

Thanks to all!

Hi bluemusefarm ~ How cool ~ a fellow Minnesota chicken person! I am no expert but one thing I'd really like to warn you about and that here in MN the predators seem to be endless. Over the years I've caught racoons, minks, weasels, hawks and dogs all after my chickens. Even tho I thought my chicken 'house' was secure and I closed them up at night, varmints still managed to get in. Started with one here and there and since my dog "passed" the varmints have gotten really brave. Well, that was the end of all of my last batch of 15 - very ugly and sad. BE CAREFUL and research securing your coop! Good Luck!!

I have some info on my personal website that may interest you - visit www.raisingchickensathome.org

AliceMae

 

[The Red Rooster]

Hi all--

Glad to have found you! I'm new to this -- both the site and chickens! -- so I'd appreciate any help you can offer. We don't have any chickens yet, but are planning to start our first flock this spring. I have more questions than this space can possibly hold. What advice would you offer a beginner? Once we have a good, safe coop built, what comes next? How many chickens should I start with? Do I need a rooster if we don't want chicks (at least until we're more experienced)? How much time will we need to spend each day on egg-gathering, feeding, watering, interacting, cleaning, upkeep, etc.? Where should I get my first chickens? Are there people here who raise chickens for meat as well as eggs? How do I know the eggs I'm collecting are good for eating? Any good site recommendations for ducks (we're thinking about ducks as well). Are we in over our heads? Any other hard-earned wisdom or advice you can offer?

Thanks to all!

Hello,

just make sure your new chickens have clean food and water and exercise. Let them free-range in the day and make sure they all get inside of the coop at night.

I would recommend that you get three hens.

You don't need a rooster. They can be noisy (if you have neighbors).

Craigslist is a good place to buy chickens.

I don't raise chickens for meat. I do raise them for eggs though. Farm fresh eggs are great to have in the morning!

You can tell if eggs are rotten by putting them in water. If they rise to the top, then they are rotten. If they stay at the bottom, then they are good to eat.

Sorry, I'm not sure of any good sites for ducks. Google is your best place to find some.

Good luck!

~AnnElise