Old Beginner

[Parront]

Good for you! I started at 70 and I've been enjoying chicken keeping and chicken company thoroughly.

First of all, congrats on beginning by coming here to get info. This is a spot full of really good and reliable info. Second, I'm with aart, get your coop plans together and get it sited and built before you even order anything. Then it's time to think about populating it.

I agree with BigBlueHen too, that, at this time of year, more mature birds will be better. It will soon be getting cold in NYS and you want birds that are fully feathered out and have a nice supply of body fat to get them through the cold months to come. But why not continue getting information, surveying what problems people typically have, what their start-up questions are, etc. and order chicks in the Spring? More will be available so you'll have a lot of choice about what varieties you want. And you'll have more information under your belt and start out feeling more confident.

This is a good suggestion. We all understand how the chicken math multiplies your birds, so build a nice large coop! Spring is a great time to get chicks if your winters are harsh.

 

[Leahs Coop]

Hello, and a warm welcome to Backyard Chickens! It's great to have you here with us.

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
Congratulations on your retirement.
As has already been suggested, please get your coop and run all set up and ready to go and THEN either source out pullets for this year, or wait until spring to order chicks.

 

[IamRainey]

As others are saying, we may not be Spring Chickens but we can still get Spring Chicks.

 

[so lucky]

Hi, and Welcome to this great friendly forum. I think whether to get chicks or adults depends on what you expect in return from the birds. If you are wanting to have them super tame and friendly, you will be better off getting chicks as young as possible. They can be much easier tamed when young. But if you are just wanting eggs, and to admire and appreciate the chickens without needing to have one on your lap or shoulder, you will get faster results with older hens or POL (point of lay) girls. You will know that you are getting pullets that way, too.

By the way, don't be tempted to buy a cute little prefab coop that says it holds 6 chickens comfortably. They are generally not user friendly, not sturdy, not predator proof and not big enough

 

[drumstick diva]

Getting Point of Lay girls is one way to know they are females and NOT males. Also they will produce eggs sooner for you. So Lucky is also correct in warning you about cute prefab coops that will be too small, poorly put together and unable to survive the weather you will have in your state.

 

[drumstick diva]

PS If would be a great idea if you join the NY state thread to learn what coops are best, what breeds can handle the weather, and probably tips about the best feed stores, etc.

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome to BYC.

Here are some links to useful resources:

• List of guides on how to use the site - “How to...” guides
• Great go-to resource - Learning Centre
• Good starting point for browsing the site - Articles
• Insightful feedback on how members manage their flocks - Topic of the Week back-catalogue
• Excellent sources of local information - U.S. States

Best wishes

Pork Pie

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

Welcome to our FUNomenal community! Best wishes and have lots of fun!

 

[CarpCharacin]

Welcome to BYC! We're glad you decided to join our wonderful community!