New from WV! Lots of ?'s

[funnyfarm78]

Hello Everyone! I am new to chicken business and need lots and lots of help!

I am interested in raising chickens for egg laying. I am trying to get into homesteading for the health and well being of my family. I have no idea how to take care of a chicken, what to feed them, whether or not they need vaccinations, or how to know if the eggs are safe to eat. I am looking for any advice that you, "seasoned" chicken folk have to offer! Thank you so much in advance for any help or advice you can give! Hope everyone is having a fantastic day!

Thanks!

 

[Unclebean]

from Pennsylvania! You can learn a lot from this site. I would suggest doing a lot of reading and search for some of the questions you have. Chances are someone asked the same questions at some point. Good luck!

 

[easttxchick]

from Texas.
All of the information you need can pretty much be found on here-many smart chicken people on BYC.
Here is what I feed my birds:
up to 8 weeks old-Medicated Chick Start
8weeks to Point of Lay-Chick Grower
Once they start laying I feed layer pellets or crumbles.
I also give oyster shell and grit free choice.
The vaccinations are strictly a personal choice-up to you.
I'm not sure what you mean as far as if the eggs are safe to eat. As long as you pick them up everyday and wash them off before you put them in the fridge, they should be fine.
Welcome to chicken keeping, it's VERY addictive!

 

[dawg53]

Welcome to BYC.

 

[Majestic Lane Poultry]

from the Eastern Panhandle of WV.

 

[ranchhand]

Here's a link to the BYC Learning Center, it's a good place to start.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/lcenter.html

 

[Majestic Lane Poultry]

Quote:
Now to answer any questions I can....

I am trying to get into homesteading for the health and well being of my family.

Does that mean you want a dual purpose bird. One that lays eggs and also has a nice size to it so it can later become chicken dinner?

I have no idea how to take care of a chicken, what to feed them, whether or not they need vaccinations, or how to know if the eggs are safe to eat.

All the answers you need can be found on this site. If you like to read, I suggest the books "Living with Chickens" and Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens.

Different feed for different ages and types. For example often a chick starter is used for chicks and then they can be switched over to a feed designed for layers after they are 6 months old.

Vaccinations are not required. Just a matter of preference. I do not vaccinate mine.

As long as the hens are not on medication...the eggs are safe to eat.

Hope this helps.

Tammy

 

[sab]

Hey FunnyFarm! I'm in WV too. In Ripley. Where are you?? I'm new to all this as well and have found this site to be most informative and enjoyable.

Sally

 

[4-H chicken mom]

and

from Ohio. So glad you joined. Good advice given.

 

[funnyfarm78]

Thank you all so much! I am so excited about my new chicken endevor! Sally, we live in Clendenin, 20 miles north of Charleston.