Information Overload + Analysis Paralysis

[BeckyRK1974]

I swear I have packed 5 years worth of education into these last 4-5 weeks. I am thinking myself into a tailspin here. I naturally have an analytical mind, and I struggle with perfectionism. Like I had mentioned in my intro, I also have a ton of respect for all living things. My logic mind is telling me that all the posts of injured hens and dying chicks only seem to be extensive because, generally speaking, people tend not to post when things are going wonderful and all is well. But I'm fighting off the panicky thoughts that I am going to get my 6 babies on July 8 and I'm going to inadvertently kill them all.

All of that on top of stressing about how the layout will be where I'm going to place the coop and chicken run. And I want it to be mostly aesthetically pleasing, and also still be functional. I attached a preliminary plan in case anyone wants to review/critique

Ugh! I'm laughing at myself about the coop/run part, because I am seeing how I am acting as if I have royalty coming to live on my property.

But with all that said, and jokes aside, I have read 'Chicken Keeping Pure and Simple: A Fun, Friendly Guide to Backyard Chicken Keeping' by Nikki Husted from Purely Chickens. There was a lot of great info in there, but I would like to see more than one person's perspective so I can feel more prepared. I have read through at least 2-3 dozen threads in this forum also, but feel like I have a few empty nooks in my mind that need filling with more info.

Do any of you have any recommendations for other books or online articles I could read that may help alleviate my overthinking mind? Maybe videos on YouTube that would be helpful?

Any tips on what the most important things to consider when deciding on brand of chick starter, and also feed for when they're older?

Any words of wisdom for a 1st time chicken mom?

Words of encouragement even?

I would even accept if someone commented saying I'm overthinking by way too much. I tend to do that with things that are important; especially if my decision affects another living being. I'll take whatever you got to give.

 

[Estrella]

How fun! Things I’ve learned from when I got my first 5 chickens a few years ago is that - you always need more space than you think you do because chicken math is a real thing. Go big rather than go small will save you from having to build extensions and you will be keeping happier chickens. And keep them somewhere where you don’t have plants you like. They eat everything and they can dig a hole in your perfect lawn the size of a meteor crater, in an hour. Also make your feed last longer and keep them healthy by fermenting their scratch feed with water + 2 tbs apple cider vinegar. They love it and it keeps them healthy. Good luck!

 

[nuthatched]

How fun! Things I’ve learned from when I got my first 5 chickens a few years ago is that - you always need more space than you think you do because chicken math is a real thing. Go big rather than go small will save you from having to build extensions and you will be keeping happier chickens. And keep them somewhere where you don’t have plants you like. They eat everything and they can dig a hole in your perfect lawn the size of a meteor crater, in an hour. Also make your feed last longer and keep them healthy by fermenting their scratch feed with water + 2 tbs apple cider vinegar. They love it and it keeps them healthy. Good luck!

Are you feeding scratch as an everyday ration?

 

[nuthatched]

I swear I have packed 5 years worth of education into these last 4-5 weeks. I am thinking myself into a tailspin here. I naturally have an analytical mind, and I struggle with perfectionism. Like I had mentioned in my intro, I also have a ton of respect for all living things. My logic mind is telling me that all the posts of injured hens and dying chicks only seem to be extensive because, generally speaking, people tend not to post when things are going wonderful and all is well. But I'm fighting off the panicky thoughts that I am going to get my 6 babies on July 8 and I'm going to inadvertently kill them all.

All of that on top of stressing about how the layout will be where I'm going to place the coop and chicken run. And I want it to be mostly aesthetically pleasing, and also still be functional. I attached a preliminary plan in case anyone wants to review/critique

Ugh! I'm laughing at myself about the coop/run part, because I am seeing how I am acting as if I have royalty coming to live on my property.

But with all that said, and jokes aside, I have read 'Chicken Keeping Pure and Simple: A Fun, Friendly Guide to Backyard Chicken Keeping' by Nikki Husted from Purely Chickens. There was a lot of great info in there, but I would like to see more than one person's perspective so I can feel more prepared. I have read through at least 2-3 dozen threads in this forum also, but feel like I have a few empty nooks in my mind that need filling with more info.

Do any of you have any recommendations for other books or online articles I could read that may help alleviate my overthinking mind? Maybe videos on YouTube that would be helpful?

Any tips on what the most important things to consider when deciding on brand of chick starter, and also feed for when they're older?

Any words of wisdom for a 1st time chicken mom?

Words of encouragement even?

I would even accept if someone commented saying I'm overthinking by way too much. I tend to do that with things that are important; especially if my decision affects another living being. I'll take whatever you got to give.

Stop panicking.
I don't reccomend any other websites or YouTube channel, besides this website.
We have professionals along with the backing of peer review

 

[BeckyRK1974]

How fun! Things I’ve learned from when I got my first 5 chickens a few years ago is that - you always need more space than you think you do because chicken math is a real thing. Go big rather than go small will save you from having to build extensions and you will be keeping happier chickens. And keep them somewhere where you don’t have plants you like. They eat everything and they can dig a hole in your perfect lawn the size of a meteor crater, in an hour. Also make your feed last longer and keep them healthy by fermenting their scratch feed with water + 2 tbs apple cider vinegar. They love it and it keeps them healthy. Good luck!

Thank you! I have been reading about fermenting feed. Does brand or type matter for that? I've seen some things saying whole grains ferment better, so the pellet type might not be the best option. This topic is where half my analysis paralysis comes from.

I think I have the size and space mostly covered. I guess we'll see...lol. The coop I'm having built is 6' x 8' and the covered/enclosed run I'll be setting up next to the coop will be at least the same size. Plus the run will be opening up into another fenced in area that will be at LEAST 9' x 15'. On top of all that the coop is going to be raised 18" so they will also have the area underneath for shade and shelter.

I'm starting with 6 chicks, but also knew about chicken math. And even if I find 6 is plenty for me, I took into account that down the road I will need to routinely integrate chicks to keep up on the amount of eggs I want. I hope I have it all covered...but my husband said, worst case we get another coop.

 

[BeckyRK1974]

Stop panicking.
I don't reccomend any other websites or YouTube channel, besides this website.
We have professionals along with the backing of peer review

That's good to know. Thank you!!

 

[townchicks]

When I got my first chickens, I read as many books as I could find, then I found this forum, and the books went to the used bookstore. I learn so much more on here everyday, even after 8 years. One thing I have learned, is that there are many ways of keeping chickens happy and healthy. As I go, I've changed a lot of things, it always seem to be a growing and adjusting process. You have time, so take a deep breath, let it out, and keep up the good work of learning and preparing, but know it never be perfect. Chickens are messy, and chicken ownership is too. Well worth it IMO, and not just for the eggs.

 

[Estrella]

Are you feeding scratch as an everyday ration?

Every day, a sccop per 8-10 chickens, as a complement to their dry feed and free ranging. Also treat w dry soldier larvae when I want them to do what I tell them… they are very easy to bribe.

 

[Estrella]

Thank you! I have been reading about fermenting feed. Does brand or type matter for that? I've seen some things saying whole grains ferment better, so the pellet type might not be the best option. This topic is where half my analysis paralysis comes from.

I think I have the size and space mostly covered. I guess we'll see...lol. The coop I'm having built is 6' x 8' and the covered/enclosed run I'll be setting up next to the coop will be at least the same size. Plus the run will be opening up into another fenced in area that will be at LEAST 9' x 15'. On top of all that the coop is going to be raised 18" so they will also have the area underneath for shade and shelter.

I'm starting with 6 chicks, but also knew about chicken math. And even if I find 6 is plenty for me, I took into account that down the road I will need to routinely integrate chicks to keep up on the amount of eggs I want. I hope I have it all covered...but my husband said, worst case we get another coop.

The feed I ferment is a mix of whole barley, crushed corn and wheat. They lay better and their eggs a superclean.

 

[nuthatched]

Every day, a sccop per 8-10 chickens, as a complement to their dry feed and free ranging. Also treat w dry soldier larvae when I want them to do what I tell them… they are very easy to bribe.

I'd cut back to twice a week at most, scratch is not good for them.