I Need Help!!!

[hpfastswimmer21]

Okay, hello all, i require some assistance from some knowledgeable people. So this summer, i want a chicken! my dad says that they are just hatchting in spring, so i figured now would be a good time to get a chick to raise! i have the perfect place for a coop, and im willing to work hard... I just want one chicken, i also want it to like follow me around ( i dont know if thats possible cause i dont know much about them) or at least just not fly away. Pretty much to stay in my backyard while i hang out with it and stuff. id keep it in a coop for overnight and stuff. Does anyone know like where to get them, what kind to get? Stuff like that?
Thanks

 

[KellyHM]

You can't get just 1 chicken. You need at least 2 so they'll have company...otherwise the 1 will just scream its head off b/c it's lonely.

Where to get them depends on what kind you want. Silkies would be nice b/c they're very docile. You can look on Craigslist for them or order a couple of chicks from My Pet Chicken.

 

[midget_farms]

True on the 2 chickens - they are flock animals & it will literally go crazy if left all alone.

You can get them from many online hatcheries - but you usually have to order 25 or so.

Local farm stores have chicks for sale every now & then, but by now most will be sold out.

check the local paper - many people will hatch & sell you a bird or two & they can be easily found. Check craigslist too.

Chickens can't read maps or street signs - so if they get out they don't know where to go - so they stay put. They really dont' want to leave so you don't need to worry about that.

As far as following you around - get a couple of chicks & hand feed them as they grow up. They will come running every time they see you. Really pretty cool.

 

[ADozenGirlz]

Quote:
Hi and welcome to BYC! You sound really enthusiastic about the prospect of having chickens, which is great! Your dad isn't exactly right on this one. Chickens are hatched all year long but people tend to get them in the spring so that they're laying by summer/autumn. Any time is a good time to raise a chicken! Chickens aren't hard work but you should invest as much time and energy as you can BEFOREHAND to making sure you're informed and prepared.

I would recommend a few things to get started:

1) Think about getting more than one because chickens are social animals. It is always better for them to have at least one feathered friend;

2) Don't rush into anything without researching what you're doing and how to do it. Spend as much time as you can reading through the BYC Learning Center (at the top of the page), the FAQs pages and any book about chicken keeping that you can find. The "Raising Chickens for Dummies" book is a GREAT one. I bought it before I even considered getting chickens b/c it's important to be prepared and to know what you're doing first;

3) The books and this website will be a great resource for you to help you decide which kind of chicken is good for the area you live in. There is a chicken breeds chart here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/breeds/breed-chart that can help you decide which type of bird will do well in your area and will meet your expectations;

4) If you have questions after doing your initial research, first do a "Search" in the search box on the BYC pages b/c 9 out of 10 times, the question has been asked and answered already. If you don't find an answer there then certainly post a question in the proper place on the BYC index and you'll get help there.

Good luck and let us know how things work out for you!

 

[babypeeps]

Well I think that having a couple chickens would be great for you and also get 2

what's one more lovely dovey to have around. They will keep each other company and give your family a real treat to some delicious eggs! and you never know your flock might grow if your family gets into it also

Check your local paper, and call around to farms around, check into breeds that will fit your wants. There are some really friendly chickens. Ours would follow us around and try to jump up on us. All 10 of them loved us. We hand held them and fed them from 1 day old and they were wonderful birds.

Good luck with your chicken search.

 

[debilorrah]

Having two is a must, like everyone else has mentioned. And once they associate you will food, treats and kindness, they will most certainly follow you around. I have 55 and every last one of them follows me everywhere!

 

[hpfastswimmer21]

Thank you everyone for the great advice and tips!! I will also be sure to get that book!

and about the silkies, i read they are very sociable and stuff, but i kind of dont like the whole fact that theyre covered in poofy fur. I kinda want some that look a bit more like chickens... Does anyone else know of any other sociable/docile chicken breeds?

 

[KellyHM]

Bantam Cochins are nice and calm.

 

[ADozenGirlz]

My Buff Orpington is a total sweetheart, very sociable, gentle and friendly.

 

[hpfastswimmer21]

I would definetley get either of these, the bantam cochins or the buff orphington. Are they both common breeds? The local Tractor Supply Co. is selling chicks i guess, but i dont know if they are separated or if anyone who works there will be able to tell who they are.