Ask away -- any question, anytime because BYC has members all over the world. So someone, somewhere can probably offer an answer, no matter the topic or time of day that you ask.
It's great to do research and be prepared BEFORE you get your chicks. But, with all the information that's out there, it's also easy to get overwhelmed.
As @BigBlueHen53 said, if you take care of the basics, it's likely your chicks will do fine. My first rule of chicken care is to use hardware cloth EVERYWHERE to keep predators out. My birds "free range" during the day but are securely housed at night in coops that are basically wrapped in hardware cloth.
Like you, I want to be uber-prepared for any situation. Guess what? It's impossible. Just do your best --and enjoy your birds.
Please let us know how the cooping goes with the chickens and guineas -- and training your shepherd (kudos to you for rescuing her) with the poultry.
Welcome to BYC!
It's great to do research and be prepared BEFORE you get your chicks. But, with all the information that's out there, it's also easy to get overwhelmed.
As @BigBlueHen53 said, if you take care of the basics, it's likely your chicks will do fine. My first rule of chicken care is to use hardware cloth EVERYWHERE to keep predators out. My birds "free range" during the day but are securely housed at night in coops that are basically wrapped in hardware cloth.
Like you, I want to be uber-prepared for any situation. Guess what? It's impossible. Just do your best --and enjoy your birds.
Please let us know how the cooping goes with the chickens and guineas -- and training your shepherd (kudos to you for rescuing her) with the poultry.
Welcome to BYC!