Hi
We’ve got an eye sore building that I think could easily be converted to a chicken coupe. Just beginning to research and explore…I know nothing! Hearing that we should buy female chicks to start…
Welcome to BackYard Chickens! We're happy to have you here!
Pullets (female chickens who are under a year old) are a very great place to start. If you spend a lot of time with them when they're at a young age, they'll be very friendly and follow you around. Do you know what breeds you're going to get? Buff Orpingtons (which can be bought at TSC) are very friendly chickens and are easy to take care of.
Feel free to check out our Chicken Coop articles, even if it's just to get ideas on what a good coop needs.
Welcome to BYC. Starting with pullets is a good idea. I've never had much luck with straight run. You may still get the accidental rooster, but the odds are in your favor.
Roosters are okay if you'd like to raise more chicks. Usually the ratio is minimally 5 hens to 1 rooster but better to have more hens than that really. Our roosters have saved a few chicken lives around here so we are glad we have a few.
Also, I saw an article yesterday on a dilapidated horse shed converted to a coop. It's not what you have I'm sure, but gives you ideas and hope. There are so many in our coop forum too.