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Glad to meet you, Chris. You are wise to do the research first before getting the birds!

First question I think you are asking is whether you are allowed to own chickens where you live. In Texas, (where I presume you live), a LOT of that is determined by Home Owners Associations. Do you know if you have an HOA where you live? If so, the easy thing is to ask the HOA. If not, ask town hall, or even a real estate agent might be a quick answer. If none of that works for you, or if you want to take on the task of trying to change the rule against owning chickens where you live, there is a forum discussing and listing some of the laws/bylaws/ordinances that govern it.

Second question is more about what do you want from chickens. Do you want them for eggs? Do you want them for meat? Do you want them for pets and entertainment? Some combination? The answers to those will help you decide what breeds of chickens you might want. Also, be sure to think about your climate. In a hot climate, you generally want light birds that have large combs and wattles, but there are some breeds that do not fit that description that adapt well to heat. You can read about different breeds here.

Third question is how to get ready. You need to decide if you are going to get eggs to incubate, day old chicks, pullets or laying hens. The age will dictate what you need to get ready. Read about what you need for each age group in the Forums. You will need different feeds, containers, heat or not, depending on the age. Read here.

And lastly, you need a coop and run for when they are grown up. We have a very large collection of coops, most with plans, pictures, descriptions and comments. People have posted cute coops, quaint and amazing coops, cheap coops made from found materials, and lots of info on making them secure from predators.

Best wishes with your learning, and plans! Enjoy yourself. Anticipation is a good bit of the fun!
 

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