On the fence - To backyard bird or not

[denverspursfan]

Hello,
Just found this site after doing some online research. My husband and I have been considering getting a few chickens ever since our HOA allowed it last year. (We live near Littleton, CO)

Wouldn't you know it, but I just won a free chicken coop in a drawing at our local ranch supply store so the pressure is on to figure this out and get going.

Would love any initial advice, especially on where to buy the chicks and supplies in Colorado, anything near or around Denver.
Thanks!
Jennifer

 

[Becky1956]

Hi Jennifer! I am new too....waiting on my chicks to arrive, good luck!

 

[TwoCrows]

Welcome to BYC!

Wow, congrats on winning the coop!!! Now you just HAVE to get yourself some chicks!

Have you checked all your local feed stores? It is getting a bit late in the year for feed store chicks, but some of them may still be carrying chicks.

You can also stop by your state thread and chat with your chicken neighbors in hopes someone nearby can direct you in the right direction...

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/68894/colorado

You might also check our Buy Sell and Trade section and maybe you can locates some chicks there..


https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/67/buy-sell-trade

While you are waiting on your birds, we have a great learning center with all kinds of great articles on raising your new flock...

https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center

Good luck with this new adventure and welcome to our flock!

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! Congratulations on winning that new coop! Way to go! TwoCrows gave you some good links to check out for chicks and supplies.

 

[gander007]

 

[denverspursfan]

Thank you so much for the feedback and I'll check out all the boards. We did go into our local ranch supply and they were pretty much out of chicks so we will have to go elsewhere.
Appreciate it!

 

[GAFarmGirl87]

Welcome!

Agreed with Two Crows about your state thread. There are lots of chicks for sale on my own state thread (GA), so that's a great place to look for local chicks for sale. Also, you can check Craigslist for your area. Some smaller breeders use Craigslist to advertise their livestock.

And way to go on winning the coop! That's a huge money-saver, and if you needed a sign that you should get chickens, well, there you go!

My main advice is to spend a lot of time on this site learning as much as you can before you get your brood.

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC. Won a new coop? Sounds as if you are meant to raise chickens. Great links have been provided by TwoCrows.

 

[Percheron chick]

Jax and Murdoch stop carrying chicks the beginning of May. There are tons of people selling older chicks and started pullets on CL. If you want day old chicks, drive up to FC. Feeder Supply carries chicks year round. There is also a bird swap in Brighton this Sunday. There are also lots of chicks with the people on the CO page. Many of them hatch their own eggs. More than likely not sexed so you will have to deal with any cockerels you end up with (super easy to give away on CL). If you haven't decided what breeds you want, I would suggest sticking with the non single comb birds to avoid frostbite problems in the winter.

I would reinforce the premade coop as they can easily be broken into by a cleaver raccoon. Even just placing it inside a larger chainlink dog pen will give them more safe outside area. I also see free swingset frames (CL) that would make a nice run.

 

[denverspursfan]

Thanks for the information! We've decided to get two Buff Orpingtons to start us out. I've found a breeder down near Franktown as well. Looks like we'll be starting our flock in June this year.