New to Chickens!

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Patricia Imber

In the Brooder
Jul 14, 2017
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Hello,
My name is Patty and I live in Eastern Colorado. We live on 40 acres of natural grasslands. We have 4 grown children and a houseful of pets. One Great Dane, One Bulldog, 4 Border Collies and 7 Outdoor Cats :) We have never raised a chicken.... until now. My husband just acquired about 60 chickens, aging from 4 to 12 weeks old. I don't have any idea what breeds nor how to tell if they are hens or roosters.
We have them in a split coop with older ones on one side and younger on the other. Each have fenced in outdoor areas. It's actually a pretty cool set up. As they get older, we will start to mingle them.
I have read about the automatic watering nipples, but also read that they tend to leak. Any suggestions on watering other than the customary tray and bucket method?
When do they start laying eggs? And when do I change their food from grower/finisher to Laying Hen food?
Thanks for your help in advance. I look forward to learning the tricks and tips of Chicken Raising!
 
:welcome

Welcome Patty! Sounds like y'all are jumping in with both feet! I love brave souls like you. :love

If you'll use the search function it will be helpful in answering pretty much every question in Chickendom. Really! In the meanwhile I'll see if I can help out some.

About watering, we have a whole part of the forum dedicated just to feeding and watering your flock. With so many birds, that's going to be important to you. Here's a link. https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/feeding-watering-your-flock.12/

I'm a fan of the 5 gallon lidded bucket with horizontal nipples or cup waterers. But choose what works for you and your flock. No one way is the "right" way.

As for feeding, you can stick with the grower for all of them if you offer oyster shell as a calcium supplement on the side (free choice) to all your layers. Many folks do that instead of feeding a different layer feed with no issues. In general, hens start laying at 4-6 months of age, depending on breed, season, lighting, physical condition/health, and so on.

If you think you may have meat production breeds mixed in with your laying or dual purpose breeds, this might become a management issue shortly. The two types are fed and handled quite differently. Just something for you to think about.

I'm hopeful you enjoy your new adventures with poultry and reap the many benefits. Don't be a stranger! :thumbsup
 

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