Newbee from Ohio

[atobols]

I am hoping to learn as much as possible from everyone here, so I thought I should at least introduce myself.

I don't have any chickens, but I'm considering getting some. I'm a stay at home mom of two little boys (ages 2 years old and 4 months). I also have 2 terriers and we live on 8 acres.

I have been thinking about chickens for about 3 or 4 months now. I thought it would be a great to have our own eggs and for the kids to see where they come from. I also thought that chickens would be pretty easy. I got Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens at the library. I'm about 60 pages into it and I'm now thinking that raising chickens is very difficult and complicated.

I don't even know anyone IRL that has chickens. My husband thinks I'm crazy, but is at least willing to go along as long as he doesn't have to do anything with them (other than building me a coop of some sort).

I'm sure you'll see me around asking questions as soon as I can figure out exactly where to start.

 

[brahma-momma]

 

[chicken_angler]

Hey where in Ohio are you? There are lots of friendly people that will give you advice on here!

 

[keljonma]

We're in Ashtabula County. I would suggest you read more than Storey's Guide. There are a ton of books out there. One of my favorites is Keep Chickens! Tending Small Flocks in Cities, suburbs, and Other Small Spaces by Barbara Kilarski. It is also published by Storey, but is more of an I CAN DO THAT kind of book.... no matter the size of your flock.

 

[atobols]

Quote:
I'm in southern Ashland county.

 

[ChandlersChickens]

I just have 2 chickens and it's not difficult. I supposed it could get difficult if you had a lot of chickens or they got sick, etc. Mine free range during the day and go to the coop at night. I just make sure the water and food is clean and full...and the coop is cleaned. So far they are as much work as having a cat

I'm already thinking of getting another.

 

[chicken_angler]

Ok atobols. I am in Nw Ohio . Not to far. I have 10 chickens right now and i only read 2 small books from my library. I should have read more because there is soooo much info out there about chickens.Is storeys guide a good bokk? I was thinking about getting it.

 

[cherrychicken]

cool
yah, the books make it seem real difficult, but if the chicks already have been vaccinated all you have to do is set them in a cardboard box with a heat lamp, some food, and water for a while. after that just build em a coop you might want to use info from BYC's coop pages and after a few months you'll be getting fresh eggs, and sweet pets. oh and if this isn't inspiring search google for 'battery hens' it will really make you want to have your own eggs!

jenny

 

[BearSwampChick]

Hello and

Really, most of the work takes place when they're babies. After they're grown up some, it's a matter of a few minutes here and a few minutes there. The books do sound daunting for someone who has never been exposed to chicken raising. Just remember, unless you're extremely unlucky, your flock won't have everything covered in the books! They have to address every possible thing that CAN happen to the chickens. That doesn't mean it will all happen to yours. Just keep reading all the information you can find and you will definitely find a lot of good info here on BYC. What you can't find, just ask, we chickaholics are more than happy to answer your questions!