Iowa chicken novice

[pollofrio]

Hello Everyone,
I have thought about having chickens for several years and finally at the urging of my daughter and daughter in law I now have 10 golden comet pullets. Have been building my own version of the "classy A-frame chicken tractor" to house them. We live on 3 acres of land that was previously zoned agricultural so although it is now annexed into the suburbs of Des Moines, we can still have some "farm animals." Pollofrio means cold chicken and after the harsh winter we just had, I thought it an appropriate profile name. I will need some advice on keeping the birds warm next winter. I would welcome any other advice, do's and don't's that a new chicken owner should know. I just bought a bucket type nipple waterer and my pullets instantly figured out how to use it without any training. Still feeding the bag of chick feed. Will switch to layer crumbles when that bag is done. Would like to know what else to add to the regimen--oyster shell, grit etc.
Thanks

 

[drumstick diva]

Welcome to the flock, sounds like you are doing the right things. You have some smart girls that learned to use the nipple waterers - some have a terrible time with that. The Raising backyard chickens forum above probably has answers to most of your questions, the side tabs(on the right) cover food and water, and other issues.

 

[gander007]

Alright

great to have you joining the BYC flock

BYC has a very useful learning center

 

[TwoCrows]

Welcome to BYC!

What a cute bird!! You might want to start in our learning center for lots of great tips and hints on raising chickens....

https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center

And for help with getting thru your winters, you will want to chat with others in your state thread for help with how others are keeping their birds warm....

https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/26/where-am-i-where-are-you

Good luck with all your projects and welcome to our flock!

 

[roostersandhens]

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! You've gotten some good suggestions above. This is a thread from this winter that has a lot of good winterizing tips on it https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/822765/winter-is-coming-checklists-tips-advice-for-a-newbie With the food, most commercial brands say you want to start Layer food after the birds are 18 weeks (because of the extra calcium), if they are late layers some people wait to see the first egg. You can feed them chick starter or starter/grower until then, or switch from starter to a grower at 8 weeks and then to Layer at 18. Most people offer oyster shell on the side in a small bowl etc all the time, the hens will eat some if they need it. Grit can also be offered in a bowl, but if the birds free range or you are using sand that has pebbles in it for bedding they will find their own.