Hi, getting chickens was one of the best things i have ever done, but.....
you need to do your research, you need to know your way around a hen, what they need to eat, the living conditions, the illness that commonly(sp?) affect them.
you nee to decide why you want them...is it meat, eggs, or pets?...what do you want to do with them when they stop laying...are you quite happy for them tp live out their retirement with you?...its fine if you want them for meat/eggs, but the reasons you want them should help you decide what breeds of bird you should be looking at. Some birds are not good layers, some dont have a lot of meat on them, some are not as friendly as others etc etc, so deciding what you want from your birds is a big start
housing, i would build it myself, or find some one to do it for you, the bought ones are rarely any good! they look cute and twee, but they fall apart after a few good rainfalls, and they never house the amount of chickens they say! Omlet do some lovely plastic ones. they are very expensive, but if you take into account how long they will last, and all the chemicals and wood preservative you will buy, its probably not that bad!
I let my girls free range, and they have trashed my garden!
. i still have grass, but no flowers, veg....and the soil is all over the paths along with loads of chicken poo. so this winter we are taking some of the garden back
. if you dont wat them to free range, build a lovely big run, with lots of things for them to do .
you ned to find a vet....not all vets know about poultry!
and lastly you ned to find someone you can trust to step in if you cant...i.e emergencies, holidays etc
this forum has so many people who will be happy to help. they have been a godsend to me and to many other people, so if you need help, ask, there will always be someone who knows the answer!. hope you enjoy your chickens, they really re fab!