For a long time I have wanted to get chickens, so I decided to do something about it, and instead of buying them, I am going to try and raise them myself in the hope that I will learn more as I go. I know absolutely nothing, and am hoping not to be bogged down with a plethora of information. I have an incubator - I candled two eggs I bought at a market yesterday and put them in. No, I don't expect anything to come from them, it is more to test how to use the incubator. I candled 6 and in those two I saw a small spot floating around. So I ran with it.

I will be buying a clutch of fertilised eggs. Will I need a brooder (summer) how big, and could I use a wooden wine case with an infrared lamp?

I think I will build a chicken coop, as they seem fairly expensive around here, are there any plans that somebody would recommend (easy to follow, basic but good).

What are good feeds, what can I give them and what should I not give them, that I may not know.

Finally, do i need mats, bedding and what else am I missing?

TIA.