Well it's official...finally signed up! Newbie in the beautiful PNW

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Welcome to BYC!
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x2 on drumstick diva's words re: shyness. It's very easy to feel at home here, people are friendly and helpful.

There are several sites that will help with selecting the best chicken fit around but if you want a concise way of comparing characteristics by breed, this is the one I like (and spent hours on when choosing ours):
http://www.sagehenfarmlodi.com/chooks/chooks.html

If you have any questions, feel free to ask. Nice to have you join us!
 
Some points I would like input on would be:
-Breeds: which are your favorite and why? Are there any others I should consider?
-Coop design ideas to give flexibility for growth and possible partitions inside? (breeding, brooders)
-Ideas on how to protect from aerial predators (hawks and eagles) - A local guy told me he ran wire across the top of the run every six inches to keep them out (he didn't like netting because he said it would weighed down with snow, though it snows very little where we are).

Welcome to BYC!

There are so many great breeds out there, it all depends on what your needs are. My personal favorites are Buff Orpingtons and Black Australorps because they lay well and are just so super friendly.

As for aerial threats we use a 2x4 frame and covered it all in wire (like a dog fence) It's not heavy so it won't bow. We put chicken wire around the bottom to so it's double layered to keep out grabby paws.

Good luck in your adventure!
 
Welcome to BYC, JulesChicks! That username seems awfully familiar....
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From the sound of it, you'll fit in wonderfully.

I hope the coop-building goes well. I would probably build on the larger side, but that's just me (chicken math, as you mentioned). I'm in the process of building my own coop, but it has been difficult in the freezing cold and limited daylight. So I have six three-month-old Easter Egger pullets in the garage and are anxiously ready to move outside. =)

It started with a couple square-foot gardens for me. Now, having my own hobby farm is all I can think about.

I bet you're kids will love having chickens, I know I always did growing up. My parents used it to teach me "responsibility"... since it was my job, even at a very young age, to get up at dawn and feed the chickens, water the chickens, and collect the eggs.

HAPPY NEW YEAR and keep us updated!
 
Hello there and welcome to BYC!
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Good luck with this new adventure and welcome to our flock!
 
Thanks everyone for the kind words and suggestions! I think I will get at least a few Australorps as I originally planned. We do plan to build a larger coop, something like 10x12 or so, depending on number of birds. I want to do the DLM and keep smells down as that will really turn hubby and I off. Easy care and no stink is a must. We're excited to get started!
 

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