I happen to be brand new to chickens myself. I agree there is a lot of advise out there. One great, often overlooked source is YOUR LOCAL COUNTY AGENTS OFFICE. They will know about any local laws/ordinances, and have free hand outs and advice about chickens. I got my chickens at the "local" co-op type stores. There the people knew livestock, and asked me how many chicks I was gonna have, told me how much chick starter feed I would need, told me when I should switch them over to grower formula, when I could move them outside and into a coup and pen arrangement, etc. They also told me basically the same info that I already had from reading the breeds tab here about what kind of chicks to buy to produce what color of eggs (so would the county agent).
Remember this above all else, chickens are birds, and domesticated wild life. Their kind was alive before you were born and will be here after you are gone. They can forage for their own meals if need be. Only requirements are clean water daily. Chicken feed (of all types) ensures they have what they need at any stage of life. Chicken coups can be made simple or elaborate (or not at all but you risk your flock flying off, they are birds after all). A pen can be fancy and as big or small as you want. Or again not at all. Where I live people do let their birds totally free range, and as such occassionally lose one to coyotes, foxes, cars, hawks and other predators. I want my girls safe so I spent about $50 and bought plastic pipe, glue (to hold the pipe together) wire and made a decent 10 foot by 3 foot moveable run for them. I do want them to do what God intended them to do-weed and forage, so when I laid out my garden, I made the rows wide enough to move my pen in between. The girls get to dust, weed and eat bugs to their heart is content. At night they go back into their coup. I do suppliment with chicken feed sprinkled on the ground. The hens could not be happier.
Chickens are scary and will run at the slightest noise, well at least mine do. They are also inquisitive about everything and will eat **** near anything. Free ranging them on dirt or lawn allows them to get enough natural grit so you don't have to buy it (they have no teeth to chew with, and only need grit as they grow older). It also allows them to take dust baths (to help eliminate mites, flees etc). They can also eat weeds and grass which they love. Do your research as to what breeds you want to try. This is a lifelong commitment, so make sure you have time to do it and people who can take care of them when you travel. I find myself outside watching my month old babies in their pen just doing chicken things.
Good luck, raising chickens ain't hard, can be confusing and expensive (if you don't know what to buy). Do your research-they should have a coup with nesting boxes, otherwise they lay eggs whereever, should have a protected run-otherwise predators can get them, or they will simply fly away, and they need chick starter feed (to get started with) then grower formula (for the next phase of life) and then it is up to you as to how long you keep them around before slaughter.
