Hello! I'm new here!

[chicmom]

Hi Krissy and welcome! Sooo exciting getting your first chickens. Welcome from Ohio!

Looks like a cute little place you have to get started.

 

[Krissy12052]

OK... Apparently the hubbie wants to fix the hot tub... Need to think of a Plan B! LOL

 

[1AcreRooster]

Quote:
Get ducks instead.

Just kiddin, welcome!

 

[allieloveschickens]

There are many breeds to consider, you should check out the breeds section here on BYC to get some ideas about what you might want. Chickens can live for quite a while, but they only lay well for 2-3 years depending on what kind of chicken you get. Heritage breeds from reputable breeders tend to lay longer than hatchery chickens.

 

[Hawkeye95]

when you're looking and comparing the breeds of chickens, decide what color of egg you want, how large you want them to be, and determine if that breed is a good layer. Not only can you check out the breeds here, but you can check out the hatchery sites and they often have their chicks divided into 'white eggs' and 'brown eggs'. From there, you can see if they lay large or medium or small eggs.. and then how frequent they are. Also check out to see if the chickens are cold tolerant, as you will have colder weather. A lot to take into consideration, so people pick out different birds that will suit their part of the country and how they are going to keep them. Some breeds don't tolerate being confined as well as others... just something to keep in mind. Also- how many chickens do you want? You said "a couple". So maybe 3 or 4? Check out the Small Coop Design section here and see if you can find an idea that would work for what you have in mind!

 

[Wildflower_VA]

I know you say you only want two chickens, but you need to read up on Chicken Math on this forum. Baby chicks are addicting and the people on this Website are enablers. You'll get no help in talking you out of getting way more chicks than you ever intended to.

from Virginia!

 

[Krissy12052]

Quote:
Get ducks instead.

Just kiddin, welcome!

LOL!! You have no idea.. I LOVE ducks!! Ha ha My bathroom is all duckified!

 

[Krissy12052]

Quote:
Yea I'm looking to get 3-4! I've been looking around and it looks like Red Stars or Anconas are what I might want!

 

[JodyJo]

One lady on here posted she has a hen that has been laying over 10 yrs!! Very unusual...usually about 3-4 yrs for egg laying...they can live much longer though...

I have 1 white egg layer, and 14 brown layers and 3 blue/green layers...+ a couple roosters to keep the peace!

The poster that suggested you cover your run, yes...not only for the snow and rain, but for the sun, my chickens at least, do not care to be cooked in the hot sunshine...and run for shade when they can find it.

Check out the forum for coop design etc, you will get some good ideas: like putting the nesting boxes lower than the roosts (chickens like to sleep and roost on the highest thing they can find...)

**the smilies are cute aren't they?

 

[Helen in the Desert]

Hi,

Your fence may not be high enough as many breeds fly, even the "non Flying" ones, and that picket seems a bit low. And you may need to put wire on it so the chickens can't push through the spaces between the boards.
Coachins are good layers, make good pets and also don't fly (much) so that might be a good option; they also come in many different colors. Everyone has thier own favorite, so do some research but to begin with I would definately stick to the "non flying" breeds.

Good luck!