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literaljones

literaljones

Chirping
Apr 13, 2023
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(1) Are you new to chickens / when did you first get chickens?
Yes! I just got my first batch of baby black sex link chicks on Tuesday, so two days ago? We got them from Tractor Supply Co and so I'm wondering if they might already be close to a week old?

(2) How many chickens do you have right now?
I have 12 chicks

(3) What breeds do you have?
Black Sex Link

(4) What are your favorite aspects of raising backyard chickens?
I don't know yet, though seeing some of the chicks begin to trust me feels pretty rewarding

(5) What are some of your other hobbies?
Photography, drawing/painting, gardening, sewing

(6) Tell us about your family, your other pets, your occupation, or anything else you'd like to share.
I have one 10 year old son, 3 step-kids that are all grown and off doing their own thing now, 2 indoor cats, 2 barn cats, a dog, and a parakeet. I am a stay at home mom and my husband retired this past year, so we are now on 10 acres of farmland and are dipping our toes into homesteading.

(7) Bonus: How did you find BYC, how long have you known about BYC, and what made you finally join our awesome community? :D
I just happened upon this site today while trying to figure out why one of my black sex link chick has bald spots and had them when we got her. I got the answer I needed here, which was incredibly helpful, so I signed up!
 
Glad to meet you, and welcome to BYC. How nice that you are starting homesteading! You may want to know about the sister sites for BYC:
1. BackYard Herds
2. The Easy Garden

Meanwhile, back on the chicken farm:
Here are my favorite beginning articles that helped me as a newbie. All articles are short, have illustrations, and reviews, which are often worth looking at for the comments.

1. Intro to chicken keeping

2. Common mistakes & how to fix them

3. Ventilation (important to chicken health), with helpful links to coop designs organized by climate (because what is just right for my New England hens won't work for my brother's Arizona chickens)

3(a). Farmers Almanac on Building Coops (Includes size requirements!) Allowing plenty of space for chickens is really important because, even as chicks, they will start pecking each other or plucking their own feathers, or become unhealthy if they are overcrowded. Here is a link to Colorado State Extension's publication on space and temperature requirements for chicks as they age.

4. Predator protection for new & existing coops

5. Dealing with a muddy coop and run

6. Picking the Right Breed of Chicken

7. BYC Lists of Chicken Ailments and Cures

To look for articles on your own:

A. Use the SEARCH button, but use the Advanced Search choice, and select ARTICLES at the top of the box. Just enter your keyword(s) and scroll through your results!

B. I find it helpful to notice the rating and reviews. All articles are by BYC members, and all the reviews/ratings are as well. The ratings help a newbie like me sort the most useful and reliable articles.

C. You can bookmark the articles or posts you think you want to refer to again using that bookmark icon at the top of articles or posts. You can find them again by clicking on your own avatar and looking at the list of bookmarks you have built up!

Notes about where to put a coop:

1. As far as you can, put a coop and run on high ground, that drains well, so you won't have so much muddy coop problems. Chickens need to be dry, dry, dry.

2. As far as you can, put a coop with the ventilation lined up with your prevailing breezes, and away from the direction of your storms. If you are not sure of these (who is these days?), check with your local National Weather Service website.

3. As far as you can, arrange for some sort of shade over your coop and run. Preferably deciduous so the girls will enjoy winter sun, but summer shade.
 
literaljones said:
(1) Are you new to chickens / when did you first get chickens?
Yes! I just got my first batch of baby black sex link chicks on Tuesday, so two days ago? We got them from Tractor Supply Co and so I'm wondering if they might already be close to a week old?

(2) How many chickens do you have right now?
I have 12 chicks

(3) What breeds do you have?
Black Sex Link

(4) What are your favorite aspects of raising backyard chickens?
I don't know yet, though seeing some of the chicks begin to trust me feels pretty rewarding

(5) What are some of your other hobbies?
Photography, drawing/painting, gardening, sewing

(6) Tell us about your family, your other pets, your occupation, or anything else you'd like to share.
I have one 10 year old son, 3 step-kids that are all grown and off doing their own thing now, 2 indoor cats, 2 barn cats, a dog, and a parakeet. I am a stay at home mom and my husband retired this past year, so we are now on 10 acres of farmland and are dipping our toes into homesteading.

(7) Bonus: How did you find BYC, how long have you known about BYC, and what made you finally join our awesome community? :D
I just happened upon this site today while trying to figure out why one of my black sex link chick has bald spots and had them when we got her. I got the answer I needed here, which was incredibly helpful, so I signed up!
Click to expand...
Welcome to BYC!!
 
Boppo said:
Glad to meet you, and welcome to BYC. How nice that you are starting homesteading! You may want to know about the sister sites for BYC:
1. BackYard Herds
2. The Easy Garden

Meanwhile, back on the chicken farm:
Here are my favorite beginning articles that helped me as a newbie. All articles are short, have illustrations, and reviews, which are often worth looking at for the comments.

1. Intro to chicken keeping

2. Common mistakes & how to fix them

3. Ventilation (important to chicken health), with helpful links to coop designs organized by climate (because what is just right for my New England hens won't work for my brother's Arizona chickens)

3(a). Farmers Almanac on Building Coops (Includes size requirements!) Allowing plenty of space for chickens is really important because, even as chicks, they will start pecking each other or plucking their own feathers, or become unhealthy if they are overcrowded. Here is a link to Colorado State Extension's publication on space and temperature requirements for chicks as they age.

4. Predator protection for new & existing coops

5. Dealing with a muddy coop and run

6. Picking the Right Breed of Chicken

7. BYC Lists of Chicken Ailments and Cures

To look for articles on your own:

A. Use the SEARCH button, but use the Advanced Search choice, and select ARTICLES at the top of the box. Just enter your keyword(s) and scroll through your results!

B. I find it helpful to notice the rating and reviews. All articles are by BYC members, and all the reviews/ratings are as well. The ratings help a newbie like me sort the most useful and reliable articles.

C. You can bookmark the articles or posts you think you want to refer to again using that bookmark icon at the top of articles or posts. You can find them again by clicking on your own avatar and looking at the list of bookmarks you have built up!

Notes about where to put a coop:

1. As far as you can, put a coop and run on high ground, that drains well, so you won't have so much muddy coop problems. Chickens need to be dry, dry, dry.

2. As far as you can, put a coop with the ventilation lined up with your prevailing breezes, and away from the direction of your storms. If you are not sure of these (who is these days?), check with your local National Weather Service website.

3. As far as you can, arrange for some sort of shade over your coop and run. Preferably deciduous so the girls will enjoy winter sun, but summer shade.
Click to expand...
Ooooh, thanks! I am currently inhaling all the info I can on chickens so I am off to check these out! This is great!
 

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