Hi, I am new.

[MrsMistyReal]

Welcome aboard to BYC family gr8 people tons of information, loads of fun, enjoy shake your tail feathers

 

[bruceha2000]

I started here before I got chickens as well. Learn first THEN get the chicks
A couple of hints:
Chicks grow a lot faster than you think they will
Coops take longer to build than you think they will
Ignore the "common knowledge" about brooding chicks with a heat lamp and read this: https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...d-in-the-brooder-picture-heavy-update.956958/

 

[CanadaDragon18]

YAY!!! Lol, I just found the app. My laptop was being very slow. I am glad that I can use my phone. Will make it much easier to show my Uncle responses to any questions we look up.

 

[CanadaDragon18]

Is it better to start with chicks or would it be okay to get older chickens? Also, we were told that it is a good idea to dig down and put chicken wire underground. How far down should we dig?

 

[bruceha2000]

If you are skirting out, it doesn't need to be deep. Nice to have it deep enough to have grass growing over it though so you don't catch it as you would if it were just laying on the ground. I think the minimum "out" is about 18". Presumably the digging predator will start right at the wall, not several feet out and tunnel.

You can start with either. Though if you start with older hens, you may not know how old they are. They tend to lay well the first couple of years, then taper off. You can get "started pullets" though they are more costly than day old chicks. In fact, unless you are getting a LOT of chicks, the shipping may be more than the birds. Shipping older birds is harder on them, chicks are good for a few days before they must have food and water. Not so with an older bird. The flip side of course is that started pullets are 100% guaranteed to be girls (the only way to get that with chicks is to get sex links) and they will start laying many months before a day old chick that you would get the same day.

 

[4 ever Orpington]

We do not yet have any chickens. I stumbled upon this site while doing some research. We already have bees but I cannot help with them, so I wanted to help with the research for the chickens.

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC. Define your goals, study the forums, ask questions, plan, and you will be successful in establishing your flock.

 

[pamelajean]

I have learned that one should go with 1/2" hardware cloth over chicken wire. It's much more predator proof. Some people dig down around the perimeter, some people lay down a skirt of hardware cloth. It sounds like both are effective if done right.

 

[N F C]

It's nice to have you here! Always feel free to ask questions, everyone is here to help each other.

 

[chickadoodles]

Hello and welcome to BYC.