New to the forum!

[Wantssomechicks]

Just wanted to say hi and introduce myself. I'm just starting some research on chickens, so I thought this would be the best place to start. We want to get a couple of chickens - for the eggs and for pets...What breed would you recommend - we have a fenced in back yard that's pretty big - and a dog and cat (both inside) - how does that work in the beginning when they are chicks? will my cat want to kill them? Any information that you can offer is greatly appreciated.

 

[gritsar]

Welcome to the coop!
Breeds tends to be a personal choice, based on exactly what it is you want from your chickens. Try using this chart to help you decide:
http://www.ithaca.edu/staff/jhenderson/chooks/chooks.html
As my signature attests to, there's only one breed for me...the brahmas; and in particular my light brahmas are the world's sweetest birds. Plenty of others will weigh in on their favorites I'm sure.
As for the other critters, you will definitely have to protect the chicks from them. Even my dog, who wouldn't hurt a flea, almost cost me a chick when she decided to "play" with it. Once the chicks are grown, it's pretty much a watch and see thing. Some critters get used to the chickens and never bother em, some can never be trusted around them.
You'll find great ideas under the different categories for creating a brooder (under Raising Baby Chicks) and there's a whole category on coops and run construction too.
Good luck with your new adventure and be prepared to get addicted quickly.

 

[Half-a-dozen]

Yes, usually personal choice or....you could be like me and aim for at least one- two of each breed!!!

 

[love-my-wolves]

Welcome! I personally prefer the bantam breeds, as they are smaller, you can have more with less space, and seem more like pets. I particularly like my speckled sussex and blue cochin. Both are very loving, and like to be held. And I agree on the pets, that is case by case. I have 4 dogs, and 1 won't look at the chicks. Runs the other way, actually. Another one thinks they are play toys to chase, but wouldn't hurt them. The other 2, well, can you say "chicken dinner?". My 3 cats think the baby chicks are a theatre production to watch, the other cat is waiting til you turn your head to snatch one. So essentially, never leave your chicks alone with your other pets. Good luck, and be sure to post some picks when you get your chicks!!! Steph

 

[Cheep Mama]

I like buff orpingtons and isa browns. They are very friendly. We have tow dogs, the rottweiler wants to eat them and the english mastiff likes to lay next to their run and watch them. She is very good with them and comes and sits right next to them when we are petting the chickens. Welcome!!! let us know what you decide on getting!

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

I'm fairly new here too but have a lot of posts because I talk alot! lol I have not got my chicks yet (May 23) but I have been reading my fool head off for the past month trying to get prepared and man has my brain been tired! I am just full of info now. now the trick is to remember everything once the babies get here!

I hope you have lots of time because this place is VERY addictive

I'm getting some giant cochins to hatch thursday

LOVE them...I hear they are the "gentle giant" type. Hope my new incubator works!

 

[Vamp-A-Billy Princess]

Welcome. This place is the best. I have learned so much here. I have my tiny chicks in a old guinea pig cage covered in square wire. That way the other pets can see them and hopefully get used to them. My cats watch them but I dont think they are interested in eating them. My chowhuahua yes half chow half chiahuahua is great with the chickens so is my german shep/corgi/chow. My Lhasa Apso thinks they are chicken nuggets and wants to eat them.
As far as breeds I also want a couple of everything. Bantams are good since you can fit more in your coop. My Barred rocks are very sweet and love to be held. So do my rhode island reds and my booted bantam and my rosecombs. Well all of the ones I have are great. The Marans lays cool eggs but all the ones I've had were stuck up and didnt like to be love on. If you wanna see something funny go to the everything else chicken section and look at the pics of the sweater that I knitted for my chicken Bobo.

 

[Wantssomechicks]

Thanks so much for kind welcome and information. I am already trying to devour as much info as possible. My friend is going to let me borrow her dog kennel to keep the chicks in when we get them...still haven't decided on breed, I like the idea of bantams for their size, but I'd kinda like to have full size eggs...thoughts on this? How long will I need to keep the chicks (we're thinking just 2 to start with) in the kennel - in the house? Do you think just closing the door to keep our dog and cat out is enough to protect them? Next week we're going to take a trip to 2 local poultry/farm supply places to see what we can find....do ya'll recommend ordering them online? that seems a little scary to me....OH yeah, I don't want a rooster, is there a good way to make sure you're getting 2 females?

Oh, so I mentioned to my neighbor (mistake) that i was thinking about getting some laying hens and she just gave me this blank stare - and went into this story - which I think was kinda bogus about how my neighbor - on the other side's neighbor had hens who got mites which in turn gave to Mary. Is this possible and is there anything to avoid such an infestation?

thanks so much guys!!

 

[Vamp-A-Billy Princess]

Make sure you can put a heat lamp on your brooder. I dont know how you could do it without melting a dog crate.

 

[arlee453]

Welcome welcome!