Intro and very Newbie question

[okiegirl]

Hi ya'll.

We just found out we are buying a SMALL farm. I've always wanted chickens and love the idea of having a few. The problem is I know NOTHING. My thinking is to learn all I can this summer, make plans and build the coop this fall, narrow down my wants/needs regarding breeds this winter and have babies next spring.

Ok, now don't laugh.... but when you let the chicken free range all day, and you're ready to put them up for the night, how do you get them back in the pen? I envision myself trying to corral chickens, kinda like hearding cats.
My grandfather had turkeys that just followed him around, but I couldn't figure out how he trained them to go to their pen.
When they are small and not big enough to be let out into the yard, do they develop a homing for their coop and just instinct tells them to find cover for the night?

I'm sure I'll come up with more crazy questions, for that's it for now.

-Angela

Edited because I can't type worth a flip.

 

[Cats Critters]

First

and second chicken need to be locked up in their new home for a couple weeks and then when lit louse they come back home at night. Also no question is a dumb question.

 

[PeepsNLadybugs]

from N Florida. I can't really help with the free range question; I'm sorta new to chickens too. But if you hang around for long on this forum you will certainly learn A LOT from people who are very, very nice and know about their chickens!! Everyone will help a Newbie all they can. Again, welcome.

 

[paddock36]

from Ocala, FL. Cats Critters is right they will do just that. As far as learning you are at the right place. If you have a question someone here can answer it, but be careful it's addicting.

 

[Dragonfly Ranch]

from Northern California and I AGREE with everyone here. This is the great place to learn all kinds of stuff. My husband and I now fondly call this site "chicken chat". I come home and he asks -"so what did you learn on chicken chat today"? All my newbie questions are answered and people are so nice, never make you feel silly for asking. So ask away- chickens are the coolest pets to have.

 

[hen-thusiast]

from UT!

 

[Chickie Mamma]

from CT

 

[wvcruffler]

Welcome from West by Crackey!

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

WELCOME FROM WI!

ON your question...I did the same thing as you two years ago and I learned ALOT in one summer. Had chicks last spring and still learning. Here is what I did all from recommendations here

This place is great for learning...beware though...I spent SEVERAL hours a day on this site

It's great! Addicting but great.

Anyway...after you get the chicks (make sure you order what you will want to keep...I got rid of too many and then had a dog attack and lost a few...then was sorry I got rid of them! I tried adding younger ones but they would just NOT accept them at all! I hated watching it so I never did put them in there with them. Then you want to get a brooder with a 250 watt red light (red so they can sleep better). I get a large watermelon box (pick up at any larger grocery store) it's free and works GREAT! All we did was make a plywood floor and screen framed top and wHala! I have three of those things now LOL I also use them for hospital crates. Then when they are fully feathered (about 6 weeks or so) you can move them out to their permanent home. LEave them locked up in there for two week and on the 15th day open their pop door and let um go! We free range every day and the chickens are SO much happier and eat WAYYYYYYYYY less food! We go through one 50# bag of feed in two weeks in the winter for 12 chickens and not even 50#'s a month in the spring summer fall! It's great to let them forage and get their food that way. Now your prob going to lose a few to predators (if you have a larger dog prob not so many if any) The only one I have lost were the three that were attacked by the neighbors dog. They now keep him chained and paid me for my lose. We have yet to see any ground predators in our yard ever because we have the two dogs that chase them all off before they even get close. My dogs love my chickens so they protect them.
The chickens will go back into their home (instinct) and just close up their door and your done. If you start out calling them in the brooder by saying "here chick chick chick"! and give them food at the same time then they will ALWAYS come when you call them. I can put mine back into the run at any time of day by grabbing some corn in my coffee can (that they know VERY well) and walking down to the coop. Heck I don't even have to call chick chick anymore LOL they see that red coffee can and they are right on my heals! In fact sometimes they get stepped on! Good luck! And if you have a dog get him used to the chicks right away by making the dog lay down and put the chicks all over him while holding him. if he's calm tell him GOOD DOG! Do this a few times a day until the chicks go into their house. Thats what I did and now my dogs are perfect with them...took a few weeks but it's WELL worth it!

 

[okiegirl]

Thank ya'll so much for the warm welcome.

Ok, 'nuther question.

I want a brown leghorn rooster and 3-4 hens for the eggs. BUT... we'd also like a few um.... can't remember the breed, the white ones... for roasters. Anyway, so I'm up to about 10 chickens.
Now, my friend said I've got to get guineas to take care of ticks and bugs. Ok, so now I'm up to 15ish.
Can I house the chickens and guienas together or do they need their own coop? when you house two different breeds of chickens, um.... silly question... how do you keep 'em breeding with their own kind? is that yet another coop? and if so, if they're all free ranging all day, am I going to have a bunch of half-breed chickens?

thanks for all the help.
-Angela