Hi! New to chickens!

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Thanks so much for all the replies! I am thrilled about the friendly members here! I've read a lot online about all breeds of chickens already, but as you know, there are so many different opinions about the different breeds. I also have chicken run questions. Saw one on ebay for $69. It was 7'x4.' I suppose that would be big enough for three or four bantams? I wouldn't want roosters for fear of the noise. (Don't want to take any chances). It seems the space required also seems to vary according to different people's opinions. My rabbit hutch is 5'x2' and from what I've read, it's only big enough for 2 bantams.

I would definitely give them a perch to roost on! I have never owned chickens before. I got the idea because a friend recently got quite a few, but has them in large dog crates! I couldn't believe that. I told her they need much more space than that, but she says they are fine, and "it is what it is." She has three barred rocks and three black Asians in one crate! I feel so bad for them, but there's, of course, nothing I can do.

Anyway, I digress. I'm going to watch the video now. I need to learn what age chickens I should get, what brand of pellets are best, and everything from the ground up! Again, thanks so much for the warm welcome!
 
Thanks so much for all the replies! I am thrilled about the friendly members here! I've read a lot online about all breeds of chickens already, but as you know, there are so many different opinions about the different breeds. I also have chicken run questions. Saw one on ebay for $69. It was 7'x4.' I suppose that would be big enough for three or four bantams? I wouldn't want roosters for fear of the noise. (Don't want to take any chances). It seems the space required also seems to vary according to different people's opinions. My rabbit hutch is 5'x2' and from what I've read, it's only big enough for 2 bantams.

I would definitely give them a perch to roost on! I have never owned chickens before. I got the idea because a friend recently got quite a few, but has them in large dog crates! I couldn't believe that. I told her they need much more space than that, but she says they are fine, and "it is what it is." She has three barred rocks and three black Asians in one crate! I feel so bad for them, but there's, of course, nothing I can do.

Anyway, I digress. I'm going to watch the video now. I need to learn what age chickens I should get, what brand of pellets are best, and everything from the ground up! Again, thanks so much for the warm welcome!
 
The bantam roos just make tiny little squeaky crows :lau Nothing too loud!

As far as space goes, it probably depends on what breed you get. Silkies are actually closer to the size of a standard chicken, but the other bantam breeds such as d'Uccles are very, very small. Some breeds do better in confinement, some don't. You will also want to think about if you will let them free range part of the time or not.

We generally use Nature's Best or Dumor Organic feeds... they are pretty good brands.

If you would like to look into how to keep them healthy using natural things such as herbs, I have this article called Treating & Maintaining Healthy Chickens With Herbs if you want to take a look. :)

This is a great community and I'm sure you will have fun learning and sharing chicken info on here!
 
I will have lots more questions in the future, I'm sure. For now, I'm waiting until February to get the pen and start my small flock. I think I'll only have 3-4 bantams. And I'll look into Nature's Best feed! Thanks all!
 
Welcome to BYC. I have a few bantams as well as large birds. Bantams are the friendliest by far, but they very often do not come as sexed pullets. Most times you buy them "straight run" from hatcheries and feed stores. It might be better for you to contact members of your state thread locally, to buy pullets from a breeder. Fall is a good time to get extras from those who do not want to winter their extra spring chicks.
 
Yes, I figured feed stores wouldn't have sexed pullets. I have the "coop," as I said. It's actually 8' long. I measured it today. It was two rabbit cages put together to make one large cage. My problem now is a run that will be big enough. I have no one to build me one, and the ones I see on ebay are all too small--even the $200+ ones. I'd like at least a 10x15 for 3 bantams. Also have to figure out how to get in there myself to handle and hold them, and how to keep my American Bulldog out! So I definitely have some obstacles to overcome before I even think about getting the birds.
 
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Enjoy BYC!
 

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