Rookie with ?'s

[Poohbear]

Welcome to this site, Peggy! It is ADDICTIVE! May I suggest before you get any fowl that spraying (soaking) the inside of the chicken house with bleach, water and permethrin just in case there are any bugs left from the last fowl kept in there? Sometimes I think bugs are on new lumber being brought in too so pray it thick . It's good to start with fresh, healthy, active fowl. You'll LOVE the fresh eggs.

 

[Cats Critters]

First

I was just wondering, due to our very cold winters and fairly hot summers, which breed of chicken would be best for a rookie like me to raise. Let me state also, that the pen is located on the back part of 2 1/2 acres in an area of all pine trees, so it is pretty shaded and protected.

I like this quiz to choose breeds: http://www.mypetchicken.com/breedQuestions.aspx

Also, does anyone have a preference on which breeder is best for getting chicks?

I like Ideal-Poultry you have a you only have to reach something like a $20-$25 order instead of ordering 25 chicks here's a link: https://secuservices.com/ideal/newideal/categories.aspx​

 

[PetalumaChicken]

I had barred Plymouth rocks for my first chickens. I found them to be very mellow and easy to deal with. Since they are a New England chicken, they are very cold tolerant. I have seen pictures of chicken coops buried in snow. There are many tricks in this website to learn about keeping chickens that will be helpful. One trick for cold weather is to use the method of piling bedding or straw in the coop and letting the manure compost all winter. It helps keep them warm. Read also the parts about the size of the coop for the size of your flock and don't overbuild the size of the coop, because they need to bunch up to stay warm.