Hello and welcome to BYC. This was the first site I came across when I had decided to get chickens and since then I now have ducks and I am also picking up on some good advice on gardening. Granted not all areas are the same but it can always be adjusted for the climate. Don't forget to visit the 3 sister sites located at the bottom of all pages of this site. I got 3 chicks my 1st year and lost 1 but my other 2 are still with me. The 2nd year I got 4 more and last year I got 12 more plus before getting them I got 3 ducks. It's amazing how fast you can get attached to your flock.