Hey everyone!!!

[Nanablue]

Don't know how to get started. I'm a widow living in a little town with my son and his family. We are doing a lot of things to be self sufficient and i have always wanted chickens. Well i am getting started but i could use a lot of info on HOW to start. We only have a 1/4 acre of property but are looking to move to a larger plot sometime in the summer. How do i get started? Any breeds easier than others? Anyway, i can't wait to learn and looking forward to maybe making a few friends along the way.

 

[Kevin565]

Are you wanting eggs or meat? Both? Preferred egg color?

 

[redsoxs]

Greetings from Kansas, Nanablue, and

! Great to have you here! New chickens is always an exciting time. I agree with Kevin565 - give us some more info about your intentions. For now, there is a lot of good information on the Learning Center and Coops links below! Best of luck to you!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/2/Coop_Designs

 

[poultrylubber]

Welcome to BYC

. How I started was I went to my local library and got ARM loads of books about chickens!! I think that is a really important thing to do before getting the birds. Research coop designs and all that kind of stuff. I know BYC has a LOT of info
I'm not sure on breed selection because the hens I have I don't know the breed, but a family friend says he really likes Buff Orpingtons and I've read that they are a nice, docile breed.
Hope that helps

 

[Nanablue]

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone! I was just thinking about what i would want the chickens for. Mostly eggs and i guess when they get too old for laying...meat?? Ugh. Guess i'll have to get used to that. I saw a few smaller coops that i could build. I think they are portable (wheels). I also saw one online today. It looked like a teepee. lol

poultrylubber: great idea about the books.Thanks. I am still trying to find out if i can actually have chickens in my town. Wish me luck!

 

[1muttsfan]

Hi and welcome to BYC from northern Michigan - and good luck!

 

[reinvestment]

I chose my chicks this time for the size of the bird and the egg production. Australorps are supposedly good layers of lg. eggs. I also chose Wyandotes for the same reason and to get a variety. So far out of 12 hens at 7mos age I am getting on average 6-7 eggs a day -in freezing weather. Most don't lay in the winter. So if egg production is your reason for chickens I would reccomment these. They are also very lg and make good sized food birds.
I keep a 100 watt bulb (covered with a shield) over the waterer to keep it from freezing and is supposedly the light is one way to keep egg production up.

 

[sumi]

Hello and welcome to BYC

Glad you joined us!

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

Welcome to BYC!!

Glad you joined us!!!

 

[willowbranchfarm]

Welcome to BYC!!! Glad you joined.