I know some of you have to be shaking your heads about the questions that are asked over and over as well as some of the beginner questions. Would there be enough resources, like where to buy, beginner questions about food, grit, heat, lights, how many nest boxes, how many hens per box, etc to have a special thread that stayed at the top?
I know I had no idea where to start. I started with chicken tractors. Odd place to start but since my barns are not in the greatest shape, that was one topic that gave me courage.
So many of you have so much experience, I'd love to see it in one easy to find place. Any feedback on the subject? I think where to buy chicks may not be allowed but there are so many other things to consider.
Would you all be opposed to a sticky?
I would be nice to have a Sticky with FAQ's taken care of - when I first came here I read ALL the posts, I loved the pictures and the way random knowledge popped up from people just chatting. But it would be nice to be able to find all the links and SOP ? all in one spot.
I like the idea of starting with chicken tractors - people in the city & such like myself can find out they can actually do this. I like the self sufficient aspect (eggs) almost as much as I like the free compost (I love compost). Yes the egss do taste way better - I have noticed that they take longer to cook due to being denser.....is this true do you think or am I the dense one?
Now, where are the rest of you chicken people?
If we can pinpoint the best threads on raising eggs, incubators, necessities, food, light, heat, etc, I could stop asking goofy questions. LOL
I think a general FAQ with links and answers to basic questions in a sticky is a good idea. However, I think more than one sticky in a forum is just clutter and they just become invisible - no one pays any attention to them.
There are a couple of sites that have very good pages for chicken beginners. I'd avoid posting links to threads if they're long and full of chit chat because nobody is going to plow through them to find answers.
Being one of the "green/rookie" chicken owners on this site, I think a quick reference sticky of FAQs would be wonderful for those just getting started! I was (surprised) with my first chicks on Mothers' Day of last year - had no idea that I would ever own chickens. ...I had to go from zero to "mother hen" in 24hrs!
I say, "Go for it! Post a FAQ sticky!"
~:> Glenda
Thank you for the very constructive answers! Yes, I only mean one sticky that only admin could add to. It would only be links to good information, posts, care, feeding, etc.
Are there any sites you think offer very good info? I've bookmarked a few like www.petchicken.com , www.feathersite.com , www.backyardchickens.com , http://www.ithaca.edu/staff/jhenderson/chooks/chooks.html (chicken breed chart), http://www.self-sufficient-life.com/
Which do you think offer the best and most accurate info?
Some good info here but the music on the home page drives me nuts
http://www.cyndilou6.com/index.html
For the city folks who want to have chickens
http://home.centurytel.net/thecitychicken/index.html
I think www.feathersite.com and the Henderson breed list are tops. Another site I really like is www.mypetchicken.com. It's a commercial site but they have good information on the different breeds aimed at people who just want a few backyard chickens and excellent photos too. There are also excellent pages on taking care of day old chicks and other basic information and an interactive breed selector that helps you find out what breeds are best for you. It and the Henderson list are the only sites that I found with information on the different breeds' temperament.
Finally, they also offer a free e-book on chicken care.
http://www.mypetchicken.com/ebook.aspx
BTW, make sure nobody posts links to the Poultry Pages. That site tries to infect your computer with both a virus and a trojan. Luckily my security software caught it.
Almost forgot this. This excellent site on raising guineas http://www.guineafowl.com/fritsfarm/guineas/ also has a whole page of guinea coop plans that could easily be used for chickens. The plans are printable. http://www.guineafowl.com/fritsfarm/guineas/housing/
This message was edited Apr 27, 2007 6:44 PM
I agree with everyone, but I'd also say that it what we are all here for, to support each other. I feel like a pretty knowledgeable chicken gal, but I've only been raising chickens three years and a lot of what I know I just gained from reading and experience ( and you folks)
so don't ever ever feel dumb asking questions!! if I know i love to share, and if I don't I love to learn!
Is this a good one? http://www.lionsgrip.com/babychix.html It seems very very basic and easy to follow.
I forgot to hit send earlier. Whoops.
I would have liked to get a few guinea but will save that for later or next year. Thanks for that info too!
I think lots of people are like me and just afraid to make the leap. I thought I had to have nice barns and a bunch of equipment, etc, etc. It's not so bad!! I am glad I waited until the weather was a bit better even if I missed out on some birds I would have chosen.
Copying the links on caring for day old chicks from another post.
http://www.webelfin.com/chickens/
http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/BRKRaisingChicks.html
http://www.thefarm.org/charities/i4at/lib2/chickens.htm
Most of the sites listed I've been too and all are good. I like backyardchickens a lot !!
Has anyone listed this yet
http://gallus.tamu.edu/Extension%20publications/b6092.pdf
~Julie
Thanks a bunch for all the contributions!
I have mixed feelings about a sticky. Maybe because I gain more "feel" for a subject when I read what others are doing, which is even better (and more personal) that a google search on the same subject.
I WILL have chickens when I can house them safely, and then I'd prefer to pour through all the threads for insight as well as specifics. It has been 25 years since I last had hens and I've forgotten most of what I knew back then.
I tried that Darius and I also tried searching the internet. Would you be opposed to only ONE single sticky, with lots of info?
After doing some of the things I found in various places, some told me it really wasn't ideal. I'd love to help others get started more easily with good info from the get go.
I promise I don't want to litter up the forum with a bunch of sticky notes. From all the reading I've done here, I gained the courage to go for it. I'm hoping others might see that it is not so daunting and will also try it.
My SIL recently asked me why I bought chickens. My best answer was "because I have a farm". LOL I bought a farm because I want to farm and I guess in this day and age and material world, that is a hard concept for some? I'm at my best when I'm dirty and working and accomplishing things. I feel so close to where I am supposed to be. I hope others will dive in and am hoping to make it easier.
I hope no one would read the sticky and think that is all there is to it. I've so much enjoyed all the great posts on hatching eggs, laying eggs, mean old roos, nice roos, where to order, mortality rate, disease, etc. I hope everyone would go on to read all the posts and participate.
I'll know that I am really "here" when I collect that first egg! :)
Actually I'm NOT really opposed, I was just stating my personal preferences. I also don't remember if this is a public forum or not. If it's not public, what would encourage newbies to join if all the pertinent data is in the first post?
Typing from my rabbit fur covered desk....
Maybe opposed was too strong of a word? I just wondered if you could be swayed one way or another? LOL
We are having such fun with our chicks and they are just so amazing! I really don't mean to march in here and take over. I just think this is all so cool! I can't wait to check in on them each day.
I had to look and see. This forum is open to the public.
I think a sticky with some basics is ok. for quick reference.
But I hope we never lose the back and forth banter and chattiness we have here on the threads. Sometimes, we just need to know there is someone else out there who can relate to our joys and disappointments, and shares those same interests. I just LIKE you all being there. :)) When no one else can understand I'm excited about an egg pipping,...... or sad about a sick chicken, I can always come here, ......... and know you do.
Personally I think a sticky would be great
but I'd like it to see it set up different.
almost like a outline
everyone can contibute but on a different thread
first post list what each post will contain
like a table of contents
next post list sites and threads that pertain to.... chicks
the next post have the links for incubation links and threads and so on......
all on one single sticky thread but the links for each specialized thing consolidated to one post so it would be quick and easy to find what you're looking for
pick one or two people to handle it and the posting to it but have all discussions and sugestions on a differnt thread so it can all be cut and pasted to the correct places and no chatter in the way
and yet everyone can search and add to the disscussion thread
I think admin would be open to doing it however everyone likes (or appoint someone to manage it?) if we can pull it together and they just have to make the sticky. I think we'd first have to pick the topics and organize them so we are not asking too much of anyone. What topics are most important? Things like (just guessing):
Receiving Chicks-the first days
Chicken Tractors & Chicken Coops
Feeding Your Chickens
Food, Treats and other edibles
The Laying Hens
Hatching Eggs
All About Roosters
Caring for the Sick Bird
I hope everyone would keep up the regular posts, answers and questions just like it is now. I really enjoy the forum and try to find the older posts when I have time.
excellent choices
also................
different breeds
showing
washing-(which I have people ask me about alot)
predetors
That's funny crestedchick.................. I was just thinking about asking you about washing chickens just about a week ago. hehe.
I have some shows coming up in the next few months
when I wash them up I will do a whole thread with pictures
that way there can be a link with it all on there!!!
WASH them? Like bathe them? LOL Yep, I left that out. chuckle Of course, you'd have to do the series on "hair" color too. ;)
What about breeding? I'm not sure humans are needed for that part but I guess if you want to make sure you get the kind of bird you want....
yup
genetics and all that