Questions, questions, & more questions

[NoMoreBoys4MommaHen]

My family has made the decision to enter the world of chickens. My husband and I have 3 boys, 3 dogs, 3 turtles, a cat, and are hoping for 4 hens. We have a location to put a coop, but that is where the decisions have ceased...
Do we buy or build a coop? Where do we get started pullets? I really don't want to deal with babies; I would like hens approaching laying but still young enough they can bond with the family. I keep looking into "stuff" and reading. I wish I could have everything done yesterday, but am trying not to break the bank. Having 3 kids and all the "life" that goes along with that I don't have a great amount of time to build anything very elaborate....heck, let's be honest, I have trouble with Legos...but am not against hiring someone to build. Any thoughts?

 

[NWChicks]

from WA!

You can try browsing your local craigslist for coops and local builders if you don't want to order one online. There are also breeders and such who post chickens online but be very careful about who you get your birds from Make sure you can go check out the environment and ask a bazillion questions of them if you choose to go this route. Another option would be to go to the "Where am I, Where are you" thread and find your state. You might see breeders posting in there or be able to ask those more local to you if they know of breeders near you. Good luck!

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

Hello from Tucson, AZ and

You've come to the right place. Check out coops in the coop section of the forum to get some ideas. Coops can be as elaborate or as simple as you want. Lots of people build coops of mostly recycled materials. You can also look at your local farm feed store for pullets. Most of ours here in Tucson carry chickens. Just keep asking questions and lots of people will answer. Good luck.

 

[bella1210]

from ct

 

[4-H chicken mom]

and

from Ohio. Glad you joined. Good advice given.