Just joined today after checking the ordinances for Fremont. I got a Buff Orpington, barred rock (i think), black australopr (i think) and a easter egger. I couldn't remember the names accurately from the store, but these sounded like it and looks like it too. Going to build my coop in a few week, reusing a old dog kennel with chain link fence for the run 12'x6'.
Can't wait for my chicks to grow up, although I wish they stay like this forever too! They are so cute! I have them in a plastic bin with a heat lamp on a tripod. When I look down on them, sometimes they look back at me! And when they look at me, they got this cute look, where they tilt their head on one side so one eye is facing you and they extend their head up a bit. Its like giving you a one eye stare.
Hi, welcome... It's good to get familiar with the Search -- and be sure to check (select) "relevancy" when you get the results for best answers to your question / subject. Feed 'chick starter', keep their are, cage, bathtube, etc. clean and dry with fresh food and water as often as it gets dirty, spilled, knocked over, or pooped in. Dog runs can make good chicken runs.. you will need to have a coop, indoor area for them inside the Dog run/kennel... they will need a place to get in out of the wind and rain, to roost, nest, etc. and, you will also need something "smaller" than "chain link" (chicken wire / poultry netting) to keep baby chicks in and predators out (and remember to cover the top of the run) --- Buy book: "Raising Chickens for Dummies" -- And, there is also "Building Chicken Coops for Dummies"... you can look here, in the BYC store for the exact titles and authors... Get some Organic Apple Cider Vinegar next time you are near an health food type store... get some unflavored Pedialyte and Epsom Salts.. grocery or Walmart.... some Vitamin and electrolyte powder... feed store... some Duramycin 10 (which is Tetracycline) powder, water soluble antibiotics (feed store)... some Blu Kote spray... You can get some Corid or Sulmet, too... both at feed store.... Some Neosporin type triple antibiotic ointment... (Wal-mart, etc.).... Some VetRX (feed store) -- you can ask at the feed store what else they would recommend for your "first aid kit". Never use Cedar around your chickens, not the wood, not the shavings... a sand floor is best in the run. Also pick up some Sevin Dust or Poultry Dust.... Hopefully you will not need more than the Chick Starter Mash and the Apple Cider Vinegar for a while - and Oyster Shell and/or grit with oyster shell to serve on the side. The ACV (apple cider vinegar - organic) should be added to the water, about a teaspoon or so to a gallon of water.. Chickens, especially growing chicks need fresh food and water at all times. Hay or pine shavings for the coop nesting boxes and floor... best to build a coop with a door for cleaning out, sweeping out the dirty hay, shavings, and poop. Get a "putty knife" or scraper, a scrub brush, rags and bucket for cleaning. Get masks so you don't breathe in the waste, dirt, or Sevin Dust when you use it. Get some rubber, or other gloves as well for cleaning. Wire your coop for electricity if you can... for water also... so that you have ventilation, can plug in a fan, a heat lamp, set up a mister in the summer. I am not claiming to be right on all this, just some things to consider, look up here.... think about.. buy as you can, etc. Others have more and different opinions. And, your chicks will need warmth, a heat lamp until they are completely feathered out at about five weeks old (or to be in the house). You can order on-line some things and explore poultry products at jefferslivestock.com (watch out for freight charges on heavier items). All the best.
