New Member (Considering Chickens)

[Nicole A.]

Hi,

I'm really just in the first research phase and don't have any chickens yet. I live in Northern Nevada (Reno) in a house with pretty nice size backyard so I thought it would be neat to get chickens. My soil is pretty much clay over here so I think I'm going to have to put something else down prior to setting up a coop and getting chickens.

I thought it would be good to learn more prior to getting my yard and coop set up so I don't end up with any regrets. I will probably have a lot of questions.

 

[Squeak61]

Welcome to the forum, and to the wonderful world of chicken keeping! They really are wonderful animals, and a fun addition to any home It’s very smart to do your research, I know I did the same thing before I got mine. Also, people will be happy to answer any questions you might have. I’m sure there are threads addressing most of them. And I promise, chickens will steal your heart in no time

 

[rjohns39]

Hi Nicole and welcome to BYC We're so happy you've decided to join us

 

[Nicole A.]

Thanks for the warm welcome! I will probably end up getting them it just may take me a while to get everything set up since I've never kept chickens before.

 

[Hope Hughes]

Hello​

Welcome to BYC!!
So glad to have you here!!
Thanks for sharing your story!!
There are many people on here that are ready to help in anyway they can!
The learning center also has alot of great information on it as well!
Enjoy!​

 

[lazy gardener]

Welcome Nicole. Kudos to you for doing your homework, and wanting to get things set up before getting your chickens. Building your coop will take longer than you think it will. Some suggestions:

Avoid the prefab coops. They are almost always poorly designed, and a prime example of false advertising. Some coops advertised as being adequate for a dozen hens are at best minimally appropriate for 4 hens! Plan on 4 s.f. in coop and 10 s.f. in run per bird as a minimal amount of space. Want 4 chickens, build for 8! B/C, inevitably, you may end up with more than 4. And more room is always a blessing, and NEVER regretted.

Consider a bare soil floor for your coop, with a wire skirt to make it predator proof. Lots of ventilation and natural lighting. Recommended: walk in coop and run.

Other topics:

deep litter in both coop and run.
Fermented feed. There is a how and why article attached to my signature.
Heating pad cave brooding. (affectionately dubbed MHP brooder: Mother heating pad) You can brood chicks right in the coop, and avoid the dust, dander, smell, and noise associated with brooding chicks in the house.

 

[The Phantom]

If it would be possible I would plant grass and some trees there. Mine love to graze and play in the trees.
Same with weeds or bushes.

 

[Smuvers Farm]

Glad you're here!

Please make your chickens a FIRST AID KIT for any issues that would arise.
It's definitely better to have it and not need it rather than need it and not have it.

Also, make sure your coop(s) have a proper amount of VENTILATION. Your chickens will absolutely thank you for it!

 

[Nicole A.]

Thanks for the suggestions! I definitely would like a walk in coop and run. I was considering getting a shed and having it converted for a coop since most of the prefab ones looked really small. I'm not sure if I would feel confident in building one from scratch. It also can get over 100 degree F in the summer and my yard doesn't have a lot of shade so I will probably also have to take that into account. Then in winter we get freezing rain and sometimes snow.

 

[ChickenGirl555]

Hello and
Glad you joined us, you really should read the great articles for beginners in the Learning Center.
Good luck with your chicken math!
EDIT: Also if you do decide to get chickens, here's a good breeder that has almost every breed. You can also research on the breeds here. Have fun!