I'm so new to chickens I don't even have them yet.

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Chad_T

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The town I live in, Rantoul Il. was recently approved for chickens. They asked for 2-6 months to get all the zoning stuff and what not done. So in the mean time I'm going to do some research, I've never had chickens before but I'm eager to learn. I kinda have a zoo right now, 2 huskies, 1 pitbull, 1 jack russell/border collie. 3 cats and 24 tilapia growing in my aquaponics system, oh and 5 people. The space I'll be keeping the chickens in are away from the dogs so they don't get any chicken treats. I was thinking of starting with like 5...that way things don't hopefully get away from me and add more later on.
 
That's a great idea, welcome, you will find wonderful information and helpful people on this site. Also check out books on proper coop building (it doesn't have to be costly), just protective and healthy for your chickens. you may also want to look at what breeds you may be interested in. I would keep a good rooster if you can, you will find he is your best friend and best protector when it comes to your hens. You are smart to inform yourself a head of time.
 
5-10 is a good starting point. Depending on where you are in Rantoul will depend on your predator pressure. I spent about six months there and my DW grew up there. Checkout the articles, especially those about coops and runs or mobile coops. Get everything ready before you get your birds. If you're within the city, likely you will not be allowed to have a roo.

Now for the hard part... FEED! The choices are endless the supply is not. Do you want organic or do you care? Do you want non-gmo or do you care? Do you want soy free or do you care? all of these choices will drive you nuts--but learn early so you can make informed decisions. Organic is by definition non-gmo--but not soy free. Personally, using the right soy in you feed is good--but that is a whole other conversation.

Do you want your birds to have access to fresh grass or be cooped up in a run that resembles a moonscape? If you choose fresh grass, can you have electric fencing? Check your city ordinances. I put my babies (3 week old) in an 8X8 shelter and keep them there for 5 weeks, then release them to a house on pasture, with electric fencing. While in the shelter, I move it every three days for 30-40 birds. Good chickens will eat a LOT of grass. And leave you plenty of fertilizer to re-grow it. And they'll degug your grass as well.

Don't know if this was helpful or not--but feel free to ping me with questions if you like. I don't know all or even a lot of the answers, but do know a lot of smart people.
 
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