Hi new here and have no clue what to do but I want chickens LOL

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lolalucy

lolalucy

Songster
9 Years
Jan 26, 2010
129
0
109
Cotter, AR
Hello all! I live in Northern Arkansas, moved out here from near Memphis, TN a year and a half ago and love the country life. Hubby and I have been buying our eggs from a guy we met at bingo for the past year and in the past week I have decided I want to have my own chickens and eggs. Not a lot but maybe 4 chickens so will be enough to keep us in eggs on a regular basis. I know absolutely nothing about raising chickens but have spent the last few days scouring the internet for info and have decided we want to get an incubator and hatch our own. I am pretty sure I have some pretty stupid questions as like I said I am pretty much clueless LOL. So any tips whatsoever are welcomed. First off, where do I get eggs? I see where I can get a small incubator online. Is there a way to be assured a hen and not a rooster? (LOL I Think thats one of the stupid questions) If not how can you tell what it is after it is hatched? What all will I need when they are hatched? Pretty much can anyone tell me what I need to get started? Thanks in advance!
Sheri
 
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from the Bay Area!

You are in the right place. But be warned, chickens are addictive. Wow, starting with an incubator. You are diving in with both feet! Cool! The different forums are set up so you can find what you want.

One of our members, Ranchhand started a thread just for newbies. Check it out...
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=289057&p=1

May your chickies become your feathered children!
 
Happy to have you with us! I think 4-6 hens provide a family with all the eggs that they need. My Mom had 6 and every week I visited she had a dozen of the tastiest eggs for me!!
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from Washington

1- You can get eggs from a variety of sources. BYC members, E bay, Craigslist.

2- No way to tell if the egg has a hen or rooster inside.

3- If you get chicks they can be vent sexed pretty accurately, but not 100%

4- Some chicks can be sexed early, by coloring. Others you may have to wait till they are several weeks old to tell.

5- Get yourself a book about raising chicks from the feedstore. It doesn't have to be a huge encyclopedia, just the basics are needed. I started with "Your Chickens" A kid's guide to raising and showing. Lol! Yes it was about my speed.

BYC sells "Raising Chickens for Dummmies"

Good luck and keep asking questions

Imp
 

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