thinking of getting a few chicks need help

[bosoxbratt]

Thank you all who responded
my daughter is 5 and loves animals we have alot of them We really should have bought a farm the way we love animals! LOL

we are actually going to a place tonight to pick up some fresh aggs so i thought maybe I could talk to the people there and see if they happen to have any chicks or ideas of where to get them For shipping them I am not sure how that would work as we live in a small type town in IN there are a number of farms out here so I would think maybe they would have some chickens or know of where to get some just have not stopped to ask LOL

I don't know to much about 4H but the way our daughter loves animals she may want to get into that some day

Is there a way to keep hawks and whatever else away? I know down the street from us they have some chickens that just walk all around the house and they also live across from a field that has hawks and buzzards? I would hate for them to get one of our chicks should we let them walk around the whole yard with our a covering ? We have 2 dogs so I am thinking they may keep the predators away? Thanks again for your help and welcoming me here

 

[HEChicken]

I wouldn't get less than 3-4. When they grow up together and form a little flock, they get along great, but introducing others at a later time can be stressful. If you only get two and something happens to one of them (disease, predator etc.) then you will have one lonely hen. Although she won't want to live by herself, you will have integration issues to deal with when you try to get her some room-mates. If you start with three or four and something happens to one of them, the remaining hens will still have company.

 

[Happy Chooks]

A covered run would be best. It gives them protection and still able to be outside. Your dogs may or may not deter a hawk. People even sometimes aren't enough of a deterrant as some here have lost chickens that were less than 3 feet away from them.


There are many, many, many people here that have lost chickens to dogs. Not just their own dogs, but other people's dogs that have found a way onto their property. I would suggest keeping the chickens to an enclosed run, and then when you are home to supervise, let them out to roam your yard. I have worked with my dog (german shepherd) and she does very well with them now, but I would not trust her alone with them. (just too much temptation)



ETA: my run is not covered as our chickens roam our orchard. We did lose one to a hawk, and since have successfully added some measure of protection for them. Not a guarantee, but still better than nothing. You have to decide what's right for you.

 

[Mare]

I'm starting out also and all this info is great. My husband is building the coup right now and in the spring will get the chickens. Not sure if we will be getting chicks or pullets though. We're thinking of getting only 4 or 5. I'm leaning towards the Plymouth Rocks, but I still have all winter to change my mind.

 

[SSS]

My Pet Chicken has a free chicken selection tool. That will help you choose which breed.

 

[Sylverfly]

I recommend Rhode Island Reds, they may be a bit plain a bit boring but out of all my chickens the RIR are the sweetest, they don’t peck, they don’t scratch, they let you hold them(a few demand it). They just seem to be a very laid back bird. Mine seem to tolerate hot and cold weather very well and they are egg laying machines.

And look how cute the chicks are!

 

[Happy Chooks]

I love my RIR too. She's the bottom of the pecking order, so I always make sure she gets some treats. She is the first chicken to come running to me.

 

[bosoxbratt]

is it hard to find chicks this time of year?

 

[Sylverfly]

I’ve got some mixed breed eggs in the incubator right now if you lived near me you could have some of mine when/if they hatch. I don’t know how difficult it is to find chicks this time of year, I know a lot of hatcheries don’t ship if it’s cold.

 

[bosoxbratt]

ty again all for the info baby chicks are soooo darn cute!
do snakes bother them at all? cause this past summer we found a couple gartner snakes? aways from the house but still near our yard? Wouldnt want them to cause any probs with the chickens? TY