New to the Forum

[Teila]

G'Day from down under jmafisher Welcome!

Do I have some reading material for you!

BYC has Topic of the Week discussions which I have found to be a great resource, informative and sometimes entertaining; so definitely worth checking out. These two may be of particular interest:
Topic of the Week - Getting Started, Keeping Chickens
Topic of the Week - Keeping the Flock Safe from Predators

You may also be interested in these links:

• Learning Centre
• Articles
• Pickin a Chicken
• How Much Room do Chickens Need?

I hope you get to realise your dream! I also hope you enjoy being a BYC member. There are lots of friendly and very helpful folks here so not only is it overflowing with useful information it is also a great place to make friends and have some fun.

If you would like to share Pictures and Stories of your flock when they arrive or other critters, you have come to the right place. BYC’ers never tire of these and do not back away slowly or commence eye rolling when the photo album or home videos come out

Including your general location on your profile will assist others. Location, climate, season etc can be important factors when members are responding to any questions you may have and vice versa.

You might want to also Find Your State Thread and pop in and say hello.

 

[4 ever Orpington]

Hi,
My wife and I are considering doing the Green Acres thing and buying a farm. We are going to have horses and most likely goats and we are considering raising chickens for fresh eggs. I came across this site and thought it would be a good place to talk with others who are raising chickens.
I grew up in Southern Illinois and my wife grew up in Chicago. My grandmother had a farm with chickens and goats and next door to the house I grew up in a woman raised chickens. So, I've seen chickens, I've gathered eggs and thrown feed around their runs but that's about all our experience with the little feathered creatures.
We have no farm now, we have no chickens and most of the farms we are looking at do not have a chicken coop or run. We obviously need a lot of information about what kind of chickens to get, where to even get chickens, what to feed them and how to keep them healthy. We are looking in McHenry County Illinois (west of Chicago and East of Rockford). That means there will be hot, humid summers and icy cold winters.

 

[drumstick diva]

Thanks for joining the BYC community

 

[Anagram]

Beware...chickens are considered a gateway animal! Sure, first it's just a few little chicks, then the ducks come along, maybe a goose or two, with a side trip to getting some of the goats you figured you'd start with first. The next thing you know you're up to your neck in guineas, turkeys, and donkeys. With a couple of guardian livestock dogs and a barn full of cats.

And it will all be great fun and you'll wonder why you didn't do it all sooner.

HAHAHA!! Had to read this to my husband and number 2 son. With us, it started out with the cats and the horses, then the number 2 son BEGGED for chickens. Most little boys want a dog, not mine, nope. He had to have chickens. Begged. For years. Finally when he was about 9 years old, we relented. His chicks. His coop. He paid for it. I bought the chicks and the food and all the other stuff that goes along with it.. but it's true. They are a gateway animal. I became hopelessly addicted. They multiplied. (One chick is good 23 must be better right?) then came the goats. Then the fish. Then the bees.

I think I need an intervention.

 

[Anagram]

Welcome!!

 

[007Sean]

HAHAHA!! Had to read this to my husband and number 2 son. With us, it started out with the cats and the horses, then the number 2 son BEGGED for chickens. Most little boys want a dog, not mine, nope. He had to have chickens. Begged. For years. Finally when he was about 9 years old, we relented. His chicks. His coop. He paid for it. I bought the chicks and the food and all the other stuff that goes along with it.. but it's true. They are a gateway animal. I became hopelessly addicted. They multiplied. (One chick is good 23 must be better right?) then came the goats. Then the fish. Then the bees.

I think I need an intervention.

Intervention. is this site! Only we are more enablers than therapist!