New here, "Young Adult"

[Alannah]

Hello all!

I am homeschooled. On of my favorite hobbys (or obsession, my friends say), is genetics. I just love to study genetics. I have researched horse, goat, rat, and dog genetics, among others. And I have even "created" my own animals using realistic genetics for colors and other traits. My parents have been very supportive of my intrests and I have bred/shown fancy rats, zebra finches and cockatiels, although I no longer have them.

We recently moved to 3 1/2 acres in a rural area. I have never really been intrested in chickens until we moved out here. Our neighbor across the street has a huge flock of mixed breed chickens. There were so many differant colors and feather variations that I had to do the research on the genetics. I was hooked.

Researching the genetics and helping our neighbor (he is a 70+yr old guy living alone) with his chickens got me intrested in the idea of having my own. I discussed it with my parents and they have decided that if I can write up an essay/outline (along with plans for a coop), that they will build the coop for my birthday. My neighbor is very nice and helpful, but he has recently had some health problems and is living with his son about an hour away (his grand kids come take care of the animals). So now I don't have anyone to help me with my plans. I remembered coming across this forum and people seemed very helpful, I here I am.

My parents want me to include in the outline:
Plans for a brooder
Proper care/Raising chicks
Basic First Aid/Nearby Avian vets with chicken experience
Management style
Coop Design

And I would also like to do the "extra credit" and outline my goals for breeding

 

[Arcnadius]

First of all,

You should be able to find most of your answers using the Search tool or by looking for sticky notes. The section on Chicken 101 may give you the most help - it's where I began when I started researching the wisdom of my folly.

 

[schellie69]

from Kansas I am sure you will find a lot of people to talk to here.

 

[wolftracks]

from California

Smart girl. There's no chicken place like this chicken place!

You should be able to find lots of help here and probably some new friends. Lots of teens on BYC

 

[AlienChick]

Welcome, Alannah!!

You sound so much like my daughter. She, too, has a great interest in genetics. She's still in high school (homeschool) and has her own dog training business. She is also showing/breeding for conformation and performance. She doesn't seem that much interested in my chickens, though, other than to feed and water them on occasion.

Anyway, I just wanted to say welcome to the forum and GOOD LUCK with your project!!! You'll find lots of useful information here to get you well on your way!

 

[chicmom]

Wow! Hello Alannah!

Sounds to me like you will do a wonderful essay! Some of the things I would first consider before having a coop built would be how many chickens I wanted.....If you have bantams, you of course could have a few more than large fowl size.......But the eggs will definitely be smaller.....

When considering a breed, you will want to think about why you want chickens......Since you're into genetics, maybe you would just like some of the more ornamental breeds.....Or, maybe you would like to provide eggs to your family.....

Heck, the sky is the limit! Genetics are a very hot topic in the chicken world, and I know you'll have fun with it.......

There's a nice coop section here, and there are also some coops that are already built that your parents may be interested in buying....

I would like to suggest chicks first....It's really fun to raise a chick to maturity....getting those first eggs.....

Maybe you would like to incubate your own.....

Good luck to you, and welcome!

Sharon (An older adult!)

 

[dadsdeercamp]

Hi, hello &

from Minnesota you will find all the help you need on here pluss some.

 

[CourtneyBrooke*]

from Kentucky! I'm courtney, you'll have a great time looking through this site, I have learned so much already!

 

[Smokehouse13]

 

[Smittenroade]

Holy Cow!

Your parents must be proud of you. If you have questions PM someone or post up, Im sure someone will be able to answer. Thats a long set of goals, and chickens are a bit different than those small animals. Going to take alot of work, I hope your'e prepared!

PS.

from Texas!