I'm new at the chicken thing, and won't be getting my chicks until late spring, but I thought I would join and learn as much as I can
I am going to be getting several meat birds to show in 4h. Most likely a Cornish X Rock Cross and we will get them as day old chick from a hatchery close to me. Are these birds louder compared to other meat breeds? I have lots of friends who do chickens (almost all of them lol) so I already know how to handle the birds and a basic idea of care, but I need to get more in depth.
For the chicken run I am thinking about doing a rabbit hutch with a ramp going down to a fenced area on grass. How much room should each chicken have? Which brings me to my next question. For a first timer, how many birds do you suggest? I know that you should get one or two more than you plan on showing because they can die easily.
I did some looking into different feeds and I have narrowed it down to these two http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/p ... mble-50-lb and http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/d ... feed-50-lb along with this supplement (suggested for the breed) http://www.mthealthy.com/store/948458/product/VSP Do y'all suggest a medicated feed as well? Or is it unnecessary? I worked in the 4h hatchery for a week at fair, and because of all the human contact and being exposed to /everything/ we put those chicks on medicated feed.
How can I prevent illness and how detect is something is wrong? Since it will be my first flock, should I quarantine? How should I prevent ammonia?
I know this is a lot of questions, thank you in advance for any help you can give me