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allenleal16

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Hello! 100% new to this. But ! have been thinking of getting a few chicks to raise so we are able to have our own fresh eggs!

We just moved to Tulsa Oklahoma and have a big yard where I have the space for the chickens & their coop but I need someone to help me and point me in right directions. So few questions I have...

- what do i need to get started?
- best breed for eggs?
- are two chicks enough? too many? too few?
- how much attention do they need? is it a 24/7 thing?
- best coop?
- best food?
- dog and chicks a good or bad thing? (i have two dogs)
- toddlers and chicks a good or bad thing? (have an almost 2 year old)

Anything you can share will be great! Very very excited!
 
Hi and welcome to BYC! :frow
When you first get chicks, you'll need a brooder and a source of heat for them. You'll need a coop within a few weeks... chicks grow super fast. There are many production breeds that are good layers, and Leghorns are always reliable. I would get at least three... chickens are flock animals, they like having buddies lol
You can teach your dogs that the chicks aren't chew toys, but that can be a challenge... at least it has been for me :oops:
I raised my kids and now grandkids with chickens, they do great with them. Just watch the chickens when they start to get bigger, around the toddler's eyes. (They seem to be fascinated with eyelashes... and they have been known to peck at them.)
And chicks don't really need a lot of attention, but the more you give, the tamer they'll be.
You can browse through the forums here and find SO much more information than what I just gave you. There are lots of threads and articles on just about anything you could think of related to raising chicks. Good luck, and have fun!! :)
 
Hello and welcome to BYC! :frow Glad you joined.

Walk in style coop is easiest on you but maybe a bit much for just THREE chickens. If you only get 2 and one dies, the other will be left all alone.

Dogs and chickens can be taught to work depending on the dog.

Toddlers and chickens, I rather doubt it unless the toddler is exceptionally gentle.

I would look into using a momma heating pad and don't buy a heat lamp. It is a better, safer heat source that tried to mimic a momma hen.

Chickens are far from 24/7. They are very independent. Each morning I give them fresh food and make sure they have clean water, scoop the poop boards and leave them to it. Each nigh, I do head count, lock them up and collect the eggs. How easy it is for you depends on your coop design. You may be cleaning a coop out once or twice a week. My annual coop cleaning is coming up next month.

For me the best food is one that contains about 1-1.5% calcium and 18-20% protein. I feed Flock Raiser and keep them on that for life. When the pullets are about 16 weeks old, I put out a separate container of oyster shell to meet their increased calcium needs. I feed this way instead of putting them on layer mash because I have 2 roosters, sometimes have molting hens that aren't laying, chicks or non-laying pullets in the flock.

Keeping chickens is very rewarding and I think you and your family will really enjoy it.
 
Welcome to Backyard Chickens! 🐔

Feel free to drop in and share your flock

Updates for 2020 with us here in my 2020 flock life thread



https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/2020-flock-life.1351080/

F8FCCE51-46DE-4D11-8748-D9A93752FE36.jpeg


It’s nice to meet you!
 

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