Looking to get into raising laying hens where do I even start?

glad you have joined us and good luck in getting your own flock.

You should explore the Learning Center - lots of great articles there to help you get started in your plans and to learn how to care for them once you get them.

And do visit the coops sections, lots of great examples to help you decide what you want.

You should consider starting an intro thread under the New Members thread to get a proper welcoming.

Feel free to ask questions, we're here to help.


Personally, I started with text books and then found this site. Get a basic knowledge so you can decide on breeds, to get baby chicks or pullets, how many you can accommodate and how to house and protect them. Once you get an idea of what fits your style, posting specific questions in the forums can get you a lot of help and advice.

 

First, I would check with your city or village hall to determine if it is legal for you to have hens, etc. Some people hope to fly under the radar but, I can quarantee sooner or later some neighbor will feel compelled to turn you in.

You can check out the coops section or ideas, and the Learning Center for vast information about poultry. Your climate may figure heavily into what breeds would do best for you.
If you put your state name in the search box above, you can put their questions there. Welcome to Backyard chickens.

 

Hi and welcome to BYC - good advice already, so I'll just say a big hello!


Cheers
CT

 

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!

 

Welcome to BYC. Glad you decided to join our flock. X2 on sunflour; if you haven't done so already, definitely check out our Learning Center at https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center. There is lots of useful information there. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have. We are here to help in any way we can. Cheers.

 

Welcome to BYC! Glad you joined the flock! If you're in city limits might want to check with the # of chickens you can have. If you're not then not much too worry about. Decide what is the purpose of the chickens you're wanting. For example, small, cute, exotic, friendly chicken you could go with the Silkie. Egg laying chicken that is friendly and calm you have Black Australorp. Then look for breeds that follow what you're looking through. There's a review section in BYC that goes over some breeds that other people have written reviews on. Then depending on what the purpose of your chickens will determine the diet. Egg layers and most chickens 16% protein, some use 18%; meat chickens 20% at least. If you have any other questions feel free to ask.

 

I hope things work out that you can have some chickens. I find raising them to be rewarding and fun. If you have questions, always feel free to ask...everyone is here to share and learn.

Good luck to you!

 

Hello!

Welcome to BYC and the coop! There's a lot of great peeps here! Feel free to ask lots of questions. But most of all, make yourself at home. I'm so glad you decided to join the BYC family. I look forward to seeing you around BYC.

 

Welcome to the BYC flock!