I'm New and Have No Clue What I'm Doing.

[tgainsbrough]

Hi Everyone!

My sister married into a farming family and they keep telling us chickens are the best to raise, so my family decided to start raising some, just for egg laying. We live by Toledo, Ohio and we do have harsh winters up here. We are only looking for Hens and we also are looking for them to be pets so we plan to raise them from chicks. We have experience with raising small/baby animals (including several wild baby birds, wild rabbits, pet baby birds, kittens and puppies.) However this is our first adventure into chickens. We already have a vet that we know who handles chickens. And we know where and how we are going to build a coop. (but no blueprints yet) So I have a few questions.

I think I have figured out I want Silkie, Plymouth Rock and/or Easter Eggers. But I'm having trouble finding how to even get chickens. I see sites online to order them, but they mostly seem to be sold out. Though I'd rather get them in person.

What is better, in person or online ordering?
Where would be the best place to get chickens?
I see many show most chickens can house together out of the three types I listed are they good together?
Any other advice would be great.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Hi and welcome. I would suggest taking a look in the Ohio thread https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/12049/ohio-come-on-buckeyes-let-me-know-your-out-there -- you can likely find some BYCers who are in the same area as you that can offer some tips on finding local sources for the birds you want to keep.

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC!

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Also, to start getting your bearings in the wonderful world of chicken keeping, the "Learning Center" here on the site is a great place to find information to get you started.

 

[TwoCrows]

Welcome to BYC!

Definitely stop by your state thread to chat with your chicken neighbors on how to survive your brutal winters, where to get supplies and obtaining a flock of chickens. You can start with chicks or even started pullets. Ol Gray Mare has left you with the link.

You still should check your feed stores as some of them may still be carrying chicks. But you can order thru the mail. This is the best time of year to order as it is warm enough at night that the chicks have a better chance at survival. Many people order their chicks in early spring and the over night lows are too much for them and they die on the road. Mt. Healthy Hatchery is in Ohio and the chicks would probably only be on the road over night.

You can also check our Buy Sell and Trade section for breeders nearby that may have some chicks are started birds....

https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/67/buy-sell-trade

Have you checked out our learning center yet? Lots of great info there on all the aspects of keeping poultry...

https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center

Good luck on this new adventure you are on and welcome to our flock!

 

[tgainsbrough]

Thank you, everyone! Yes, I've checked out the learning center. We have decided to get chicks next spring. But we are much more of a hands-on type of family I don't really think we'd want to order online. But this summer we are going to spend time preparing a place for the chickens. Where we want it there is currently concrete (only partially) so we are going to have to remove it and put in new grass. But we definitely want to be prepared, we are a very animal oriented family, so we want to make sure they will be safe when they are here.

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! TwoCrows and Ol Grey Mare gave you some great links to get you started! One thing with the three breeds you have, Silkies are often bullied in mixed flocks and may need to be kept separate, so do take that into account if you get some, the EEs and Rocks should get along fine... many feed stores will also carry all three of those breeds in the spring, or since you know ahead of time for next year, will special order them for you to come in with their chicks.
Chickens are really hard on grass, and pretty much anything green in the run will be destroyed pretty quick ... you may want to consider leaving that concrete and covering it with sand etc that you plan on using in the run, it should help make for a nice predator proof base and good drainage. Be sure to check out the Coops section for ideas, www.backyardchickens.com/atype/2/Coop_Designs and the Coop/Run design forum for input if you have questions about your layout etc https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/9/coop-run-design-construction-maintenance

 

[gander007]