So glad to have found Back Yard Chickens for Rocklin Ca

[PVILLAGO]

I have been looking into buying laying hens for quite some time. I have a few neighbors nearby who are raising them now. We hear them. They are mostly cul-de-sac lots such as mine, that have more room for a coup and essentials for healthy hens. I have not spoken to them yet about their experiences, but plan to do that this week. I feel I need more information on setup, care, type etc. I lived on a farm for 3 years when I was growing up, and experienced chickens from incubator to having them riding on my shoulder; but that was on a farm, not in a back yard. I have a large yard with greenbelt behind me. I love hens and the prospect of producing my own egg supply

This is a GREAT place to learn. I've been raising my chicks for 10months now and I'm so in love with them. I read blogs, online sites etc for a year before I started. I'm adding into my run soon and tweaking the coop. We are constantly evolving to achieve bigger and better. I've been lucky and have had no illnesses or diseases. However, I now have 3 with poop butts. I will be putting them in some warm water to clean as I'm scared to cut the feathers. Welcome and ask me anything. Coop in my backyard. One of my first eggs.

 

[ILoveToSmile]

You are so kind. You have a great space - I remember my mom bathing a chicken or two when I was young. LOL on Poop butts.
I would love to get a couple of hens to start, but wonder is Spring would be a better time to start... although I can heat a coup and our Winters here are not super cold. Animals are special to me and if I take these little lives on, I want to do a great job caring for them.

 

[DobieLover]

although I can heat a coup

Nope! You don't want to do that unless you regular go below -20F which would never be possible in California.
The key to successful chicken keeping in the winter is to have copious amounts of ventilation to the tune of as close to one square foot per bird as you can get, no drafts across the roosted birds strong enough to open feathers and keeping it very dry in the coop.

 

[Chickens are awsome]

Welcome to BYC! Hope you enjoy the site