Hi, NC newbie anticipating arrival of 50 day old chicks next week

[Sells]

We are a retired couple living in North Carolina and excited about getting Rhode Island Reds from McMurray Hatchery next week. We plan to begin the chicks in the basement of our house and then move them to a chicken tractor (that is still under construction). Most of these chicks will be raised for meat, but we will keep a few for eggs. We have never raised chickens - trying to plan for all upcoming challenges - would like for any backyard chicken suggestions. Want to feed organic food - any suggestions on how much feed we will need?

 

[N F C]

That's going to be a basement full of chicks! I like RIR's...they are good layers and have a certain attitude.

If you haven't already done so, check out the Learning Center for a lot of good articles on all sorts of poultry topics:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center

If you would like to connect with other members in NC, you can find your state thread with this link:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/270925/find-your-states-thread

It's nice to have you here!

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome to BYC - glad that you have joined us. You sure are going to be kept out of mischief with 50 of the little tinkers! Its difficult to try and estimate feed consumption as it consumption increases on a weekly basis as the chicks grow. Just a case of suck it and see on that one.

I wish you all the best, and do keep us posted on how things go.

All the best
CT

 

[Sells]

Thanks! We have been planning for so long -- but now that the day is almost here it's a bit overwhelming. Hope we know what we are getting into.

 

[Michael OShay]

Welcome to BYC. Glad you decided to join our flock. I've ordered chicks (including RIRs) from Murray McMurray on a number of occasions and have been happy with their birds and service. ) Definitely check out our Learning Center. There is loads of useful information there. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have. We are here to help in any way we can. Cheers.

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!

 

[MBK Farm]

Hello and welcome! Enjoy your chickens.

 

[drumstick diva]

It would be best to separate your layers from the meat birds. Meaties tend to eat almost constantly - their growth is explosive and they are ready to process at a very young age.

If they aren't processed, their organs , legs etc. cannot keep up with them and they die young. You may want to check out the meat bird threads as some people restrict their feed to 12 hours on and 12 hrs. without any - to slow their growth, and /or also free range them so they actually get some exercise and live longer lives.

 

[Sells]

Oh me! We had not even considered that. Thanks!! When they are about 4 weeks old, We are planning to put them in a chicken tractor and move daily - do you think that will still create a problem if they are all together in a 10' X 10' tractor? Sure don't want these RIRs to get so big that it creates a problem. I'll check out the posts you suggested too.

 

[gander007]

Alright

great to have you joining the BYC flock