Hi, Im a Newbie, I could use some advice.

It sounds like you will be using the shed attached to the garage as a coop. If so I would build a run (small space enclosed by chicken wire) attached to the shed. The shed will provide the necessary shelter and the run will allow them some space for exercise.

I would suggest that you start off with 4 or 5 large breed young hens. They are less likely to be flighty and should not try to run away. Since you will not be breeding any heavy breed even large mutts would work for you.

 

Hi Loriann and welcome! If you have an Agway or a Tractor Supply they usually carry chicks, or other other farm type stores. They should be appearing in the next few weeks depending upon where you live. I have 5 chickens, they came from mypetchicken.com last fall as chicks and just started laying this past week. A bit pricey, but you only need to 3 to make an order. I'm sure others here will give you options as well.

 

Look around at other types of stores too! Our local hardware store (although he does gear alot toward the farm comunity) sells chicks.

Welcome to BYC!

 

Hi Loriann, welcome to BYC! I got my chicks from a feed store. There was no min that I had to buy. It's fun to see them grow, so if you can, I'd buy some chicks. It's not hard, especially if you only want a few. Heat lamp, feeder and waterer, and something, like a big box to keep them in. If you want to buy hens, maybe you can find someone near you that can give/sell you some. I know there are a lot of people from NY on this site. Have you checked out the Buy/sell forum yet? Ask all the questions you want, there are always people here that will help you. good luck.

 

Hi and Welcome! I agree that you should find a local feed store (if there is anything like that around you - you may have to look at the outskirts of the city you live in) and buy baby chicks from them. There isn't a set number that you have to purchase so you can get your six that way. The only potential problem is getting a Roo by mistake - it's seldom 100% perfect in sexing chicks unless they are feather sexed or color sexed. Just talk to the people there and let them know you have to have pullets/hens ... no Roos. Even if you got one Roo by mistake you'd still have five wonderful girls and you could find a new home for the boy (even your stew pot if you so desired).

You can certainly order online - Mypetchicken and Ideal (Ideal is a sponsor of this site so we like to use them) will let you order that few of chicks. It is pricey but may be what you need to do.

Another possibility is using Craigslist to find chicks or older hens if you decide that's what you want to do. Personally I'd start with the chicks ... they'll melt your DH's heart and he'll be with them while they are growing up. He'll be more likely to really see them as pets and keepers. This time of year you would want them to start in the house for warmth.

Certainly be getting your henhouse and run finished while deciding how you are going to get your chickens.

Ask all the questions you have, someone here will know the answer.

Have fun!

 

Hi Presto and welcome!!

My family as well is "all organic" due to my health (had breast cancer). That's one reason we started with the organic veggie garden and it led to the chickens!! My lot is only 100 x 55 and we have 6 hens. Our henhouse is a corner of the garage, with an attached run. We got a variance to have it cloer to the property line than the city wanted (actually the city at first said no chickens at all, but that's another story!!)

You can see our set-up here:https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=1766-Our_Garage_Coop

WE let them out in the yard when they're supervised.

If you call around I'll bet you can find a feed store that will sell you less than 10 chicks. Our state has a law saying you have to buy 6, but there's one feed store that will sell any number.

We have a mixed flock that was chosen after much research by my daughter, for these criteria:
friendliness
egg-laying ability
cold-hardiness
prettiness
heritage breed
egg color mix
happiness in confinement

A good list, IMHO, would be:
Black Australorp
Plymouth Barred Rock
Rhode Island Red
Silver Laced Wyandotte
Red Sex Link
Buff Orpington
Easter Egger (what hatcheries call "Ameraucana" or "Araucana")

Good luck!!!! Have fun!!!! You will love it!!!

Stacey

 

I live in NY & the village code is 6, NO Roosters

hi..where in new york are you? I'm in Putnam Valley...in the hudson valley!