re: Tell me about raising chickens

Here's something no one tells you. They will claw and rake the grass in the tractor. Make lots of mud and kill grass. You have to move it a lot. You can let them free range (they will stay close to the coop and still go inside it at night), which is better for your grass...but they will go for the shade and shite EVERYWHERE. (Under your patio). They are mean as hell but incredible pest control.

A guy I know spent a week in the icu from inhaling dried chicken shite. You have to be careful.

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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.