I'm new to it all!

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moomysooer

moomysooer

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Jun 5, 2016
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Don't have coop or chickens yet! So, any advice is welcome. I'm in southern Indiana. Going to have backyard birds for eggs. Excited?
 
Welcome to BYC
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You've come to the right place to get started! Here is some places and things on site I recommend you check out:

Just about everything chicken related: https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center

More about the different breeds: https://www.backyardchickens.com/products/category/chicken-breeds (This a dangerous section
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)

Coops and housing plans (cheaper to build one yourself): https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/2/Coops

Enjoy the site and keep us posted on your venture!
 
Welcome to BYC! This is the perfect place to learn everything about chickens! Good luck!
 
Time flies! Chic's heading on 9 weeks! When do I start preparing nesting boxes and adding oyster shell to feed?
Thanks.
 
No need yet for oyster shell or nest boxes. I'd say you have at least 9 more weeks before those needs arise, depending on what breeds of chicks you own.
For example, my white leghorn pullets started laying over a month ago, and they are 21 weeks old. They are NOTORIOUS for early laying but not all breeds do that.
My last year's Barred Rock pullets did not lay until 24-26 weeks old! The rest fall somewhere in the middle.

Per oyster shell, it's better to keep it in a separate dish as free-choice rather than mixing it with feed.
All your babies need is chick starter for now, plus some treats like fruits and veggies, mealworms, etc.....they love to forage at that age as well. Yummy buggies and grass to eat!
Another option is to put them on a 16.5% finisher/grower until you see the first egg.
Most people just keep them on starter until that time, then switch to layer feed OR all-flock, with free choice oyster shell.

Keep the next boxes off-limits for a while. If you allow them in now, they will sleep and poop in them. Bad habit for them to get into.
Good luck and enjoy your chicks, they grow so fast, don't they?
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CluckerCottage
 
Welcome to BYC. It's great to have you!

I'd recommend keeping the nest boxes closed off until they are six months old or thereabouts, or have begun to lay. Otherwise they might develop the bad habit of sleeping in the nest boxes. Oyster shell isn't really necessary until they begin to lay, however they won't eat it unless they begin to feel they require it so it won't hurt them to scatter it out once they look like they're about to lay.
 

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