Hi Everyone.My name is LoriAnn & I have been visiting this site for awhile now & decided to join today because it looks like I have convinced my hubby that having chickens is fun & hey, EGGS!! I have not purchased chickens yet because I am very confused about everything? I live in NY & the village code is 6, NO Roosters. I do have the perfect place for a coop, I have a detached garage with a shed that was built attached to it, Just have to make it draft proof & fix it up a bit before buying any hens. Now, I have no experice on incubating eggs, & I would be devastated at my first try & the chickens dont hatch because I did something wrong, then I was thinking about buying chicks, its just the feed store over here says you have to buy 10, I cant do that, also there were people protesting the store the other day when I drove by, so I'm assuming its not such a great place to buy anything from, :|. I do know I can adopt a few chickens but I do not know if they will stay or take off? Also I read it best to get them as chicks, I am so confused! What would everyone sugest to someone like me (besides do not get chickens ) I appreciate everyone taking the time to read my rambles....I just want to do it right & have happy chickens. Thank you. LoriAnn
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!
Oh WOW, thank you so much for everyone posting a response! everyone is SOOO Nice! I live on Long Island, So I believe there is an Agway about an hour from me. I also went to the Town hall & asked about having chickens & the only thing they told me is they have to be 50ft away from any dwelling, I can have as many as I want & Just make sure they are not running around the village streets hahaha....I couldnt help but laugh & think of Thug chickens runn'en the streets....lol. My property is only 60 x 180. fenced all in. I told the Code enforcer that was answering my questions that I am going organic & they are Pets only & they were all excited about it, they may be introducing a tax break for families that go all organic, I need to do for my health. I am going to check out the links, thanks for those. I am going to watch on craigs list because I know alot of impulsive parents will go out & buy chicks (like they do bunnies) for Easter, Does anyone recommend any type of breed? I like the New Jersey Red. This is all so exciting. I will make a nice big pen for the chickens so they are safe from predators. Thank you. L.P.
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!
Hi reneshay I am on Long Island.... I m checking out SeaChick I need to step up my game! Those Coops are SERIOUS! lol...My hubby is a Special Effects Make Up artist So he is going to have to come up with a really cool idea for a coop design! Man, I have never met so many nice people in one place in my life!