Newbies-need to provide info for them- yay!

[77horses]

So my neighbors are thinking of getting 6 chickens. They are really really nice and we have know them for a while. We give them free eggs, etc.
They have never really had experience with raising chickens, so I'm coming here to see if you guys can help me out.

I told them about BYC and said that it's a GREAT website with wonderfully nice people, and you can post any questions here about chickens, etc.

But to be of more help, I'm going to send them an email with links about basic chicken stuff, like....


*coop designs
*breeds of chickens(what breed fits them best...)
*egg laying
*feeding, watering, etc.
*diseases
*basics of raising baby chicks


They are wondering what kind of coop to build and how to build the nest boxes...and since they are ordering baby chicks, what info can I tell them about brooder boxes, etc.? If you have any great links on raising baby chicks, please share them!

So basically any useful information that a newbie to owning chickens should know would be great!

Thanks so much! I will be sure to mention all the help you guys give me in the email!

 

[HarlansHollowFarms]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/
Has every thing they need, coop design, nesting help.... so much info. it is somewhat intimidating. Have them start here for info. then go for books ect. They can even check out what folks say about which book is good all right here!

 

[chickenlover50010]

I want chickens tooo!! Tell them I highly reccomend backyardchickens.com as my perscription. But side efeects are addiction, dreaming about fuzzy butts, fainting from all of the information and cute pictures, and ending up buying more than six chickens. I personally love barred rocks, and my mom is in LOVE with silkies.