How much research did you do, before buying chicks?

[Dirtyhip]

I researched for a year on what my responsibilities would be for these babies. I was just curious on how long it took everyone else to do their research.

Also, what birds do you have and why did you choose those types? I have 4 babies: 2 Americaunas, 2 Rhodes. I chose these types for egg production, and different personalities. I hope they mesh. I heard that you can have a mixed flock, if you maintain your space requirements.

4 babies in the brooder
Big girl coop - 32 sq ft
Chicken run - just shy of 200 sq ft.

 

[gritsar]

I joined BYC back in November of 2007 I think it was. I got my first chicks, all one breed, in April of 2008. Now I have many more chickens of various breeds in two coops. Was just thinking it was time for a third coop.

 

[magicpigeon]

I have spent weeks researching which people sell what, costs, distance etc. I first found BYC, for example, in 2008. I joined in 2010....

 

[Dirtyhip]

I posted on BYC first, before I bought anything. I checked with you people about he space requirements. This seemed like a reliable site for info.

 

[SarahFair]

I think it was 6 months to a year...ish

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
You lurker you.

 

[Chiko]

None

The feed store's special on chicks expired the day after we got the chicks when we first went to get them. My grandma knew how to care for them so, phew! We were all set

 

[magicpigeon]

Quote:
You lurker you.

Speak for yourself

I'm just OCD about this kind of thing...

 

[cupman]

The only research I did was looking at the pictures above all the bins of baby chicks at the feed store to see which birds looked coolest.

I quickly learned there's a lot more to it than that and I think I joined BYC within 2 or 3 days of bringing the chicks home.

Also it's good you built a decent sized coop because nearly everyone increases their flock size after their initial run of birds. I had 12 and ordered 15 more, I was hooked. with a 32 square foot coop and 200 square foot run you could probably keep around 10 birds before they got too cramped.

 

[10 point]

I read the whole storeyrs guide to raising chickens before we got any chicks. but I blew through the book in a week so it was a bout a week between deciding to get them and actually getting them.