Hello everyone! My name is Becky and I am new to chickens. I just got a coop yesterday and a book and have been studying and am just about ready to welcome some chickens to my yard. I am stuck now though, I think I know what breeds I want to start with but haven't got a clue where to get them from or how to select healthy chickens. Any help is appreciated! Thank you!!
Hello there and welcome to BYC! You have come to the right place for all the fun and learning!! First you might start in our learning center. Lots of good articles on all the aspects of keeping chickens including a section on getting started....https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center The easiest way to get a new flock of chickens is starting with chicks from your local feed store. Most feed stores carry chicks this time of year. If you have a Tractor Supply Company nearby, they are already well into "chick days". Chicks are usually separated by bins of "straight runs" and "pullets". If you don't want roosters, pick from the pullet bin only. Straight runs contain roosters. These chicks come from nation wide hatcheries, generally the closest one to the feed store. If you are interested in started chickens, sometimes these feed stores have bulletin boards where people will put up fliers up to sell their flocks. Just be very careful when purchasing from unknown sources and some people do sell sick and mite infested birds. You can also stop by our Buy Sell and Trade section. Lots of good breeders here on BYC.... https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/67/buy-sell-trade Enjoy this new journey you are on! If you have any questions about things, we are always here. Welcome to our roost!
Thank you for the tips! I did find chicks at tractor supply by my house but was hesitant to buy chicks versus full grown chickens because I work full time during the day and am not at home and they seemed like they require a lot of time and don't all make it to adulthood. Am I wrong?
They do not take a lot of time, the results are very rewarding. If you buy chicks they will grow to know you just buy holding them and treating them correctly. Keeping them under a brooding lamp in a warm place, replace water when necessary, and replenish food, and give them love is all they need to grow up! Its fun to watch the feathers grow in and you can see what personality they take! I also got my chicks from TS. They are in good health!
Welcome to BYC, Becky! I'm glad you joined us. Chicks don't usually take a lot of time (unless you want to spend a lot of time with them and handle them). If I'm busy, I just check the chicks twice a day and make sure they have feed and water. When they are younger (couple of days old), I check more often, but by the time they are 2 weeks old or so, they don't need such constant attention. If you feed them well, keep the brooder clean, and provide the right temperature, they should all make it to adulthood. Chicks are remarkabley resilient little creatures.
Well depending on what kind u want TSC is selling chicks right now, you can also order from a hatchery. Meyers a good one. I ordered from them this year. A lot of the time with Meyer and other hatcheries it will look like they are sold out for the hole year , but if you go on their website on Monday mornings you will probably find that they have them in stalk. This is because Monday is there hatch day a normally get more then expected. Monday is Meyers hatch day, not all hatcheries. Then again u could look on Craigslist or online for a breeder near u
Welcome! You came to the right place to find out everything you need to know about raising chickens in your backyard! I'm sure you will spend hours upon hours here searching through all of the information shared.
I'm glad you joined our community! The other posters have given you some good advice already. Good luck with any future chickens! They're wonderful animals.