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Hello and welcome! Prepare to fall in love with your chickens. If you hand raise them from chicks, they will love you back!
Just a couple simple pointers:
• Feed a complete feed ration
• Don’t under-estimate your local predators
• Keep a few emergency supplies handy, including a way to isolate an injured and/or ill bird (cat carrier or small dog carrier works great)
• Get to know your chickens’ normal behavior so you know if something is off (as prey animals, chickens are skilled at hiding weakness)
• Be prepared to become FULL ON obsessed with your flock and everything chicken
• Enjoy them!!!
 
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Welcome to Backyardchickens.com aka BYC! :frow
:yesss:We are glad you joined our flock.
Jump right in and make yourself at home.

This video will help you learn how to navigate this site:

CURRENT COOP CONTEST click here >>#1
 
Chelseyb123 said:
Welcome! This place is awesome an full of info an informative people on just about anything chicken. I got my first flock last year in August. YES it gets very obsessive! An there is always something to learn! I have three young children myself an find that chickens are such a great learning tool for adults an children. Ive already hatched out my own chicks and now onto my second batch. My kids love watching them grow an hatch. I built my own coop as well. Make sure to make your measurements are correct to how many chickens you plan to have plus roosts an nesting boxes and placement of everything also think about the climates where you live and match the breed that will suit best. I live in Maine so I need good layers and hardiness because of our crazy winter weather. Not sure what pets you have but if you have dogs look into how to train them to be chicken friendly. I have two dogs my boxer wants to kill my flock my mastiff wants to be their friend. Also cats can be an issue. They will kill chickens but not always the case. My neighbor have an out cat that does come into my yard. But I have yet to have an issue. Plus my dogs usually scare it away. But those aren't the only predators to worry about(not to scare you). And also look into growing fodder. Its a great way to cut feed cost. I plan to start growing some soon. I also love home remedies. So many simple things you may already have to help boost chicken help. Apple cider vinegar in the water helps boost immune systems a clean gut an help treat or prevent disease or infestation. Garlic mixed with feed helps immune systems and respiratory and get rid of an infestation and a natural wormer.

I wish you the best of luck an i hope you enjoy your new chicken journey!
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Thank you! I have no idea what fodder is, but I will definitely look into that. I strive for natural and home remedies with my children so I'm sure my chickens will be no different, lol. I'm not to the food/preventative care part of my journey, but as soon as my coop is started, I'm sure that'll be my next obsession, lol. My husband and I are on board with buying chicks instead of hatching. I really wanted the experience of hatching eggs with my kids, it was so cool when I was little. But this being our first time, I don't want to lose any babies, and I also need to make sure I stay within a 5 hen limit.

We have two cats and two dogs. My cats are indoor and my dogs I'm not too worried about. I have a 125lbs mastiff mix, but I think she'd be the one to really love on them honestly. Then I have a terrier who isn't left outside alone often because he's an escape artist. So I think we're good there. He also loves our kitten and they're best friends and play together. I think I may be able to train them both to be loving of the chickens.

I think I'm pretty ready in all the 'logistical' parts of everything. Just need to start the construction!
 
Regarding predators, plan on bobcat, coyotes, mountain lions, red tailed hawks, other raptors, depending on how far north you are even black bears now, raccoon and possums coming by to see if the store is open at your meat market.

edit-Oh I forgot to mention the owls we had in wise county too. Also those ringtailed things might be of concern. I forgot what they are called(Ring-tailed cat). And I'm sure your nose knows about the skunks, I doubt the armadillos prey on chicken.
 
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Chelseyb123 said:
When all my girls are laying I have 8hens so laying everyday or every other its between 8 or 6 eggs a day so you should have plenty. Lol
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Awesome! I plan to have a silkie which, according to everything I'm reading has pretty low production. The others I want to have medium to great production. I can't wait!
 
pkgal21 said:
Thank you! I have no idea what fodder is, but I will definitely look into that. I strive for natural and home remedies with my children so I'm sure my chickens will be no different, lol. I'm not to the food/preventative care part of my journey, but as soon as my coop is started, I'm sure that'll be my next obsession, lol. My husband and I are on board with buying chicks instead of hatching. I really wanted the experience of hatching eggs with my kids, it was so cool when I was little. But this being our first time, I don't want to lose any babies, and I also need to make sure I stay within a 5 hen limit.

We have two cats and two dogs. My cats are indoor and my dogs I'm not too worried about. I have a 125lbs mastiff mix, but I think she'd be the one to really love on them honestly. Then I have a terrier who isn't left outside alone often because he's an escape artist. So I think we're good there. He also loves our kitten and they're best friends and play together. I think I may be able to train them both to be loving of the chickens.

I think I'm pretty ready in all the 'logistical' parts of everything. Just need to start the construction!
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Than you should be all set :) fodder is like grass sprouted from wheat oat barely an other grain can be used. I don't know if your on Pinterest but that's where I started than I found this site. But they have many different. Links to blogs about growing fodder. Its simple an easy if done correctly. An you. An turn a 1pd or so of grain into 6pds of feed. Something to look into an you can grow your own meal worms. Just some things to look into once you get everything else done.
 
Chelseyb123 said:
Than you should be all set :) fodder is like grass sprouted from wheat oat barely an other grain can be used. I don't know if your on Pinterest but that's where I started than I found this site. But they have many different. Links to blogs about growing fodder. Its simple an easy if done correctly. An you. An turn a 1pd or so of grain into 6pds of feed. Something to look into an you can grow your own meal worms. Just some things to look into once you get everything else done.
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In Texas you can also grow out Black Soldier Fly larvae, and make a self harvesting feeder for chick snacks. They will seed themselves naturally in your compost bin.
 

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