Is it really this complicated? Feeling a bit overwhelmed!

[missnu01]

Yeah...I wouldn't ship grown birds...costs way too much...but you can sometimes find adult birds for sale on Craigslist not too expensive.
I got a rooster and 3 hens for $20 an I felt like that wasn't too bad...then I got a mama hen and 7 chicks for another $20...so $40 got me started in chickens...2 chicks were struck with paralysis around 10 weeks old...and I got a free silkie rooster off of Craigslist...bringing my adult total to 10 now...

 

[ilk of chicken]

It really isn't that complicated. But there are certain criteria that have to be met. These are living, breathing creatures that are babies. And essentially orphans at that! You are their mother.

Chicks have to be kept warm and dry at all times. Cold, wet equals DEAD. Garage with heat lamp, guest bath in the tub with heat lamp. I've used tub with a 6 sheet layer of newspapers, heating pad set on medium to low, covered with another 6 sheet layer of newspapers. Chicks will hang around on the heat pad if they need to. After a few weeks, they will be ready for no heat pad. While they are inside, you can start building the coop or chicken tractor. Ready to buy coops or tractors may not fit your needs or budget. Should have roosting bars, structure covered at least over the roosting bars to protect against the elements. Cold, wet equals dead. Once the night temps are in the 60's AND the girls are fully feathered, they will be ready for the coop or chicken tractor.

Now, the ones from the retail outlets have survived shipping and a few days at the store. Let the store absorb the loss of those who were not strong. Look for lively chicks, pecking at food or drinking. Avoid the ones who peep loudly by themselves. They are broadcasting that they have a problem.

You say you want 4. You should get at least 6 (and some retailers will only sell minimum of 6). The reason for the minimum is so that they can help kep each other warm. 10 would be best in my opinion. Chickens are also social animals. Ten girls will allow for a couple of losses - not planned, but it does happen.

The time they spend inside can be used to your advantage. You can train them with food. They will recognize your voice if you talk to them when you feed them. Just use normal tones. After a week, they will recognize your voice.

Good luck,

 

[Betsy57]

www.communitychickens.com is another great resource for learning about chickens.

 

[esvalong]

I would say have the coop first now that I have 12 chick in my livingroom...That is not a good thing. The coop has a few thing to go and it will be ready for them by the weekend ( I HOPE)

 

[hausrx]

what is BIG R ??

 

[CoolClucker]

I picked up a great book and between it and BYC I am learning a lot! It's called Storey's Raising Chickens, and it has everything in it!

 

[roostersandhens]

When I got chicks I had no coop plan. It takes a hile for theto grow enough to need to go outside. So I got ma coop made while they were growing. About the incubating really there is a 50% chance you will get a rooster for each egg.
Good Luck!

 

[yellowappy]

We bought ours already grown from a friend & a neighbor got out of chickens & gave us his coop. Pretty easy & we had eggs right from the start. Maybe you can pick out your own hens!

 

[taunikelley]

Farm store like Tractor Supply Company (TSC).

 

[taunikelley]

Farm store like Tractor Supply Company (TSC).

Big R