re: Tell me about raising chickens

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Where would I buy chicks around Baton Rouge?

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I haven't lived in LA for many a moon. Just look up "Feed Store" in your local phone book and call to confirm.

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What breeds should I look for and what breeds should I avoid?

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That's really a personal preference.

For production, you can't beat a white leghorn or any other production-type hen. However, those things are flighty and loud as hell. No personality and stressful to have around. Not good with kids. Rhode Islands can also be aggressive with kids.

I've settled on Barred Rocks and Americaunas for reliable egg production, heat/cold tolerance, calmer demeanor and compatibility with children.

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Are there some that do better in the south versus say the Midwest?

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Small and medium bodied birds do better in the South during summer heat. A chicken's normal body temperature ranges between 105 and 111 degrees (why they can eat old food that would make us humans sick). They must have plenty of shade and best to have access to dirt for dirt baths to cool themselves in.

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Also what about bedding in the coop?

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I have zero bedding in my coop in Texas (Houston area). They only go to their coop to eat, drink, lay eggs, and sleep at night. The rest of the time they are wandering their yard (0.5 acre for 10 birds). The floor of this coop is loose dry bank sand. I built up the area of the coop a foot above the surrounding land, this way it always stays dry.

My chickens in Alaska have bedding in their coop, since they are in their coop more (snow, short days during winter, etc.). I use STRAW for bedding, not hay....two different things. Straw absorbs moisture from poop and stays cleaner.

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where to buy? Feed store? Self feeders and waterers where to find them?

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You got it...feed store. Also, never ever get used equipment, even if it's free. You don't want other people's chicken cooties introduced into your well-run coop.

Tractor Supply Company carries chicken supplies and chicks too. Find the TSC nearest you on their website: www.tractorsupply.com

There's one in Denham Springs, Gonzales, and Plaquemine.

I saw the chicks at the TSC in Natchitoches.

The TSC in Natchitoches had separate pens of unsexed chicks and pullets, actually 2 pens of each--different breeds. YMMV

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Is there any kind of timeline on how long they lay? Or is that just kind of random? I mean 6 months a year?

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I have some buff orpingtons and find they lay well even in the colder months.

I keep mine hens 8 months to a year. I raise a few at a time FOR the meat, first and foremost- though I do eat a lot of eggs too.

I have a few baby chicks in the brooder now for my next batch to lay in the fall.

I really like the buff orpingtons. Great personalities. Sky's the limit with breeds, however. I have some red sex links right now that I like.

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I really like the buff orpingtons. Great personalities.

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This.

My only issue is that they lay slightly less than the barred rocks and Americaunas. The orpingtons also seem to be a little more sensitive to the heat.

This is where I get my mail-order poultry: LINK

They also supply most of the feed stores as well.

Water, water, water. You will be amazed at how much water chickens will drink.

Lol

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Ole Geauxt Tell me about raising chickens martini, imma farm boy,,, but I've learned a lot about chickens, chicken shite and other detailed aspects of the art of chicken raisin' the last couple days. congrats on a fine thread and thanks to all these chicken mofos in here that have helped make my life complete..

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It has been a fine thread and I am shamelessly bumping it in hopes of continued discussion. I've got 3 pages of notes and will continue if we have more responses. Should I succeed I'll invite everyone for an omelet. Should I fail, I'll invite everyone for a friccassee.

If you can get some lighting in their coop, they'll produce more/longer into the winter.