Hi from Idaho........What do I do first?

[LesleySlayton]

My Husband & I are going to start raising chickens soon and we have a lot of questions?

When should we start? It's still snowing here?

What do we do first?

How many should we start with?

Anything other info would be really helpful.......Thanks!

 

[Yay Chicks!]

Chickens are great and you will love raising them.

The Learning Center (top of page) is a great place to start to learn the basics about raising chicks.

When you start may depend on where you live. I know some people around here getting chicks now. Personally, I think it is easier to get them in the early spring.

How many you get depends on how much room you can have for them and what the ordinances are in your area. I have four, because that is the maximum my city ordinance will allow for my size of property. However, if you don't have those restrictions, get as many as you have room for. But get three at a minimum, as they are flock animals.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[cubalaya]

i would say that you need to pick a breed or breeds, build or buy a coop, and order some chicks so you can raise them yourself. read some of these forums and educate yourself on the things that might go wrong. i would pick a docile breed at first like black australorps or buff orpingtons and would order 25 so you can pick the best 6 or 7 for breeding. the end of march or begining of april is a good time to raise chicks.

 

[Duramaxgirl]

I'm in north Idaho. I got my first chicks in February a few years ago. we started with planning the coop but got chicks way before the coop was finnished
The old recommendation was 2 chickens per family member. but there is 6 1/2 in my family and I have 63 chickens... I sell a lot of eggs
I guess most of your decisions well depend on how many chickens you want.

Welcome to BYC!

 

[Kevin565]

 

[willowbranchfarm]

First welcome to byc. Secound I wouldst just start with a good medium sized flock. Or whatever you can handle. Raising chickens is really fun and watching them grow is cool.

 

[Delilah1337]

Welcome! Im in North Idaho and have had my girls for almost a year now. We started with 5 in march and used an old pig house converted to a coop. Now we have 7 hens + 1 just hatched baby and we made our new coop out of pallets when we moved.

You will definitely have to do your homework and see which breeds you like best and what kind of housing suits your space. Good luck with everything and we are all here to help however we can.

 

[greatchicken]

i would say that you need to pick a breed or breeds, build or buy a coop, and order some chicks so you can raise them yourself. read some of these forums and educate yourself on the things that might go wrong. i would pick a docile breed at first like black australorps or buff orpingtons and would order 25 so you can pick the best 6 or 7 for breeding. the end of march or begining of april is a good time to raise chicks.

X2

 

[CountryRoosterUSA]

 

[OldGuy43]

Howdy from Austin, Texas.