Questions from a Newbie!

[keljonma]

Check to make sure poultry is allowed in your subdivision first. Some areas are really anti-chicken. If they are allowed, make sure you find out the number allowed. And any restrictions for building the hen house and run.

Sexed birds will help you get pullets (females), but it is not 100% guarantee. If and when you find you have any males, please post on BYC, so your friends here can help rehome the birds.

Watch out, chickens are addictive!

 

[yoker]

I love storey's guide..
it will tell you everything.

 

[gritsar]

I personally think spring is the time to get chicks. You can get them at this time of year, but you'll have to put more work into it to get the still young birds thru the winter. Get them early in the spring and extra winter care means not much more than making sure their quarters are draft-free and that their water stays unfrozen.
Good luck with your promotion. My fiance' is a police sgt. He'll be retiring in less than two years.

Stay safe out there.

 

[Poulets De Cajun]

Quote:
Eh! Thats left up to personal opinion. Its not a necessity, and chicks are usually under a brooder lamp for the first few weeks anyway.

Make sure your basics are in place. Heat, Water, & Food. Everything else will work itself out.

Don't get so caught up in the book that you stress yourself out. There are MANY MANY MANY ways to get things done. The book is merely a starting point for building a foundation.

Although it is EASIER to get chicks in the Spring, its not impossibly to get them, or raise them now. Besides, if you get them now, they'll be feathered out by winter anyway.

Just dont let them get cold, dont let them get thirsty, and dont let them go hungry and you should be ok....

 

[cmom]

I agree with PouletsDeCajun. You have the time to prepare. The book is a guide. Every situation is different, such as space, and where you live. Some neighbords limit the number of birds and no Roo's. Do you want hatchlings or pullets? Average 3/5 birds per nest box. Some time you may see more than 1 bird in a nest box. Bottom line, between your book and this forum, these are two of the best sources of information and education.