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creeturefeeture

creeturefeeture

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7 Years
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Mar 25, 2012
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No Cal
Just moved to the coast in No Cal and I have a 20 acre property with a built in chicken coop building! What breeds of chickens would be best for me to start out and how many? Thanks!
Can't wait for fresh eggs!
 
creeturefeeture said:
Just moved to the coast in No Cal and I have a 20 acre property with a built in chicken coop building! What breeds of chickens would be best for me to start out and how many? Thanks!
Can't wait for fresh eggs!
Click to expand...
welcome-byc.gif
, I would start in the Raising Backyard chickens section in the forum, then research what type of chickens are available in your area.
 
20 Acres! I'd just get two of everything!

In all seriousness, Welcome to BYC. With the resources here you will be able to select and build a healthy and productive flock in no time.

Glad you joined us.
 
"Built in chicken building" I would start by cleaning out the old coop by scraping any dried poo off surfaces like the perches and corners then I would bleach everything and lastly I would sprinkle an insecticide all over everything, anything containing permethrin. Also if it had a fenced in run area I would remove 2 inches of the soil off the top and replace with a course sand. Afterwards I would burn it all or take it to the dump. Old coops can harbor mites and other disease's for many years in the soil and droppings.

For egg production nothing beats the White Leghorn, mine lay through hot or cold, long or short day cycle an egg a day from every one of them.
For companionship my Buff Orpingtons are almost dog like following me around as I do yard work.
For a pet to be held or yard ornaments my Silkies are beautiful and cuddly, but don't do well in the rain or cold.

Welcome and enjoy BYC!
Steve. :frow
 
Welcome to BYC! As All Henned Up says, clean the coop thoroughly, or get rid of it. You don't want to introduce chickens to a coop that may be infested with lice or mites, or any diseases the other chickens that were in that coop may have had.

For starter breeds I highly recommend Buff Orpingtons. They are very sweet towards people, great layers, and very pretty. I have 5 and I absolutely love mine. Another breed is Rhode Island Red's. Not as sweet as Buff Orps, but great layers. You can also look into Easter Eggers.

How many chickens you get is up to you. It depends on how many eggs you want, how many can fit in your coop, and how many you can afford.

Good luck!
 
Welcome to BYC
frow.gif
Glad you joined us! Good advice given above, I'll suggest browsing through the Breeds tab and have a look at the different breeds and their characteristics. Enjoy your new venture!
 
Congratulations on your new home, and welcome to BYC. As others have stated, define your needs and get birds that will satisfy those needs - meat, eggs, dual purpose, lawn ornaments. Good luck at establishing your flock.
 

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