New to the club!

[adstevens]

Hello,

My husband and I finally decided we will be getting some chickens, for the 1st time ever, this coming spring. We have a son in 4H and I have also been wanting to raise some for a while. I have no idea where to start as I have never owned chickens before.

 

[BullChick]

Start by finding your state thread. They will help you to decide how many chickens, goats, turkey, ducks and quail you can get the first year. Mini cows are the second year.
They really will help with that, but also they can help you decide where to get the supplies, eggs/chicks/layers, and how to prepare for the seasons. For example, hawks have been crazy this past year in many locations, but rarely in the past. I could have saved more of my birds if I’d paid attention to my own state thread.
Building a coop first is your choice. It’s more fun to have to beat the clock on getting the chicks out of the brooder. Always build bigger. Spend the extra money on hardware cloth.

 

[adstevens]

Start by finding your state thread. They will help you to decide how many chickens, goats, turkey, ducks and quail you can get the first year. Mini cows are the second year.
They really will help with that, but also they can help you decide where to get the supplies, eggs/chicks/layers, and how to prepare for the seasons. For example, hawks have been crazy this past year in many locations, but rarely in the past. I could have saved more of my birds if I’d paid attention to my own state thread.
Building a coop first is your choice. It’s more fun to have to beat the clock on getting the chicks out of the brooder. Always build bigger. Spend the extra money on hardware cloth.

Thank you

 

[BlueBaby]

Hello, and welcome! Glad that you joined! @BullChick has given you some very good advice. Good luck!

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome to BYC.

Here are some links to useful resources:

• List of guides on how to use the site - “How to...” guides
• Great go-to resource - Learning Centre
• Good starting point for browsing the site - Articles
• Insightful feedback on how members manage their flocks - Topic of the Week back-catalogue
• Excellent sources of local information - U.S. States thread list

Best wishes

Pork Pie

 

[fldiver97]

Welcome Check out the learning center.... good articles on breeds, how to get started, coops, raising chicks etc. You can always ask questions, just pick the forum that kind of includes the topic Nice to have you here!

 

[drumstick diva]

So glad you joined us at Backyard Chickens

 

[ValerieJ]

I would start with the biggest,best,safest coop you are able to build. I wouldn't buy one. There are a lot of good suggestions and plans in the coop design and maintenance forum. Then, I would suggest easy starter birds. For me that would be Buff Orpingtons. Buy where they will assure you they are all pullets (female).

And welcome to BYC!

 

[N F C]

This article from the Learning Center might be a good starting point for you:
how-to-raise-chickens.47660
Using the links within the article will lead you to more details.

You can always ask questions here, there are a lot of knowledgeable & friendly members to help you out along the way.

Best of luck!

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
Plan for where you want your coop and make sure it never had standing water in that site. I always recommend running a circuit out to the coop. It helps to have power to the coop in so many ways.
Do not make the mistake of building to the minimum space recommendations. It is not enough room.
If you plan to add new pullets each spring, consider a built-in brooder in your coop. I am not over of the many enablers here. Get only what you can properly care for.
You've got the whole winter to plan your coop/run and can then break ground in the spring.