Overwhelmed beginner

[seakitten]

I’m retired from the Military with three grown kids (sort of). My middle child still lives with us and unlike popular belief, Retired Military aren’t rich! My husband and I are looking to stretch our money, be more self sufficient, hopefully bring things to the tables of others, and use this as a form of therapy.
I do have a brain/spine injury sprinkled with a little PTSD. It slows me down but never stops me! I am ready.....just don’t know where to begin!

 

[Leahs Coop]

Hello, and welcome to Backyard Chickens! It's great to have you here with us and I hope you'll enjoy this site as much as we all do!

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC, and thanks for your service. Set your goals, study the forums, ask questions, plan, prepare and you will be successful in establishing your flocks. Good luck.

 

[seakitten]

I’m both excited and nervous....thank you for the Welcome!

 

[PirateGirl]

BYC is a great beginning place.

Browse the Learning Center:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/category/learning-center.11/

and perhaps grab a copy of the book Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens .

 

[Willowspirit]

Hi! And welcome! I hope you find that your interest in chickens is as restorative to you as it has been to me. Many of us have health issues that drag us down and spending time watching chicken tv has helped us find a bit of peace.

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome to BYC and congrats on your new hobby.

Here are some links to key resources:

• List of guides on how to use the site - announcements-feedback-issues-guides.3
• Good starting point for browsing the site - https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/
• Interesting feedback on how members manage their flocks -https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/topic-of-the-week-thread-archives
• Excellent source of local information - Find your State's thread.

Best wishes

Pork Pie

 

[Pekin747]

Welcome we love new members and there is a lot of friendly people on this plate form
A good start would be do use want birds for just eggs or just meat or a dual bird or just a fancy bird to have around to look at with the odd coue eggs here and there

 

[pennyJo1960]

Welcome to Backyard Chickens thank you for your service .. Chickens will not make you rich but can pay for their keep

 

[MROO]

Hello! And Welcome aboard! You're definitely starting out on the right foot by joining up, here. This is a a wonderful community, always ready to lend a hand, an ear, or even a shoulder to cry on! You're smart to start looking around before actually getting your biddies, too. There's a lot to do before you actually start (but it'a all fun!) Once you decide what type of birds you want - eggs, ornamental, meat or dual (or even triple) duty, you'll have a better idea on how much coop and run space yo need. A word to the wise, though ... go a bit bigger if you can! You'll be thankful, later on!
Oh - and if you want to add "breed conservation" to your hobby, check out the lists at The Livestock Conservancy (livestockconservancy.org.) It's satisfying - and a lot of FUN - to know that you've given a "job" to a heritage breed that desperately needs your help.