Hello very excited newbie here

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Mamma McCoy said:
Hello Everyone
Newbie here, trying to learn as much as possible. I am So happy to find BYC and I am excited to learn more about raising chickens. I currently have 20 ISA Browns on order and should get them in a couple of weeks. I choose that breed as I am told they are very friendly. We have 3, soon to be 4, grandkids so I wanted docile chickens for them to interact with. We have two dogs, I am hoping will take the chicks in and protect. I have seen my older dog protect rabbits at one time so I am hoping he will do the same with the chicks.
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Glad you've joined us here! :wee

There's a immense wealth of knowledge just waiting for you.

Where are you located? I'm in eastern NC.
 
Glad to meet you, and welcome to BYC. I have a very similar breed to ISA Brown. Mine are Golden Comets (I think they are pretty much the same, but ISA Brown is Trademarked). My Comets have been the sweetest and friendliest birds in my flock, coming to sit on my lap first of all the birds, and even occasionally spreading their wings for a scratch. I think you will be very happy with your choice. I presume you chose all hens, since this is a breed where they can easily tell at hatching which gender. Also, you will get a LOT of eggs! Each Comet lady lays an egg nearly every day, and so will your ISA Browns.

Depending on the age and personality of your grandchildren, they can be very involved with the chickens. But if your grands are toddlers, be careful that they don't handle the little chicks because they can accidentally squeeze too hard and injure the chick. Once the chicks are a bit bigger, they can interact, but need to be supervised, and ALWAYS wash your grandkids' hands afterward, and make them change their shoes.

If you got roosters, don't let your grandchildren run or romp in the chicken area once the roosters start getting to maturity. Roosters guard their hens, and they will misunderstand the excited or enthusiastic running as a danger to their flock. And roosters can reach high enough to do some serious damage to toddler faces. Just avoid the trauma!

You might want to look at this article about introducing dogs to chickens. Don't assume that your rabbit guard will also look at the chickens as something to guard. I have read too many sad, tragic posts here by people whose dogs were just doing what dogs do - chase something that moves.
 
and for my next trick

Here are my favorite beginning articles that helped me as a newbie. All articles are short, and 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!)

4. Predator protection for new & existing coops

5. Dealing with a muddy coop and run

6. Winter chicken care

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.
 

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