hi all

[cupcakebarb]

Hi all looking forward to learning lots about chickens and keeping them. Im just starting out and feeling a bit apprehensive about handling them but im sure ill get used to it. Gonna get 4 pullets in around 3 weeks time was wondering any advice on type to get for egg laying and with me being nervous. I also have 3 cocker spaniels so think the chickens are better off in the run till we all get accustomed to them. Just ordered a devon coop with double run from chickencoops direct and also bought sum galvanised feeders and drinks containers, av read quite abit on chickens over the last year, as iv been thinking bout it for some time but we only moved house in sept and got settled in. Hope to learn much more from you lot as im a novice and i think experience is only way to learn.

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! A great place to start reading is the BYC Learning Center, lots of good articles on all aspects of chicken keeping https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center
Be sure to check out the BYC Breeds section for member reviews on a lot of breeds https://www.backyardchickens.com/products/category/chicken-breeds and the Henderson chicken breed chart does basic comparisons of a lot of popular breeds. http://www.sagehenfarmlodi.com/chooks/chooks.html
For pure egg numbers, the commercial White Leghorns for white eggs and Red Sex Links for brown are probably the two best layers around. If you want breeds that don't lay quite as well but will lay for a longer time, Australorps, Orpingtons (great pets), Sussex, Delaware and Wyandottes are some popular breeds that are usually pretty easy to get along with, they all lay different shades of brown eggs and Anacona and Minorca for more white eggs, they do tend to be more flighty. The most popular green/blue egg layer is the Easter Egger / often sold as Ameraucana by hatcheries, they tend to be nice birds, and then there are the Welsummer and Marans for dark brown eggs.
There are a number of threads about teaching dogs to get along with chickens if you want to do a search, it does take time and patience, and some dogs will never be chicken safe. https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/829562/training-teaching-a-dog-about-chickens

 

[TwoCrows]

Welcome to BYC!

Kelsie has really set you up with some great links! It is normal to be a bit nervous about this big adventure. But once you get going, you will be so glad you did! Definitely stop by our learning center for lots of great info on keeping our new flock.

And be careful with dogs around your birds. Nearly all dogs think chickens are dinner. So follow the link Kelsie provided on training your dogs. Lots of great information about dogs and chickens.

Great to have you aboard and enjoy your new adventure!

 

[Duckopolis]

Good luck with raising your chickens and I hope you find everything you need to know! Don't forget to take a look at BYC's very useful learning center! Glad to have you with us. Everyone here is so helpful!

 

[gander007]