you might look into the wichita cabin coop. This basic layout is very popular because its adaptable to your size requirements and relatively easy to construct. i see them everywhere! i'm even debating making one myself this spring
Unfortunately, the pics have almost all disappeared. However, I have seen these plans in action and this unit is both sturdy and lightweight. Excellent design for raising meat birds, and my friend uses a similar design for his 4 layer hens! cheap, easy, effective! Tractors are inherently more...
...and layers? How many chickens are you getting? will they be free ranging?
If you are dead set on breeding your own, the Barred Plymouth Rock or *Buff Orpington is your best bet:
1) The chicks/hatching eggs are cheap and any hatchery or farm store will have lots of them.
2) You WILL create a...
The short answer is: RIRs and Plymouth Rocks
There are other factors that may change your decision though. temperature range, feed-to-egg conversion, temperment, and ease of confinement are important things to consider.
excellent username by the way
I recently made my coop out of an old machine crate. it was not as cheap/easy as i had hoped. i would definitely recommend just framing your own coop with 2x4s or 2x2s. you'll be able to size it to fit your space better.
i keep making little tweaks and changes to the setup. I cant seem to help myself. future plans include:
1) cutting ventilation holes !
2) putting up some wire fencing so they can scratch around the yard and have more space
3) putting some gravel down around the coop to control the mud
4) adding...
A good friend of mine has been developing his homestead for the last couple of years. He has a set of four GSL hens and a Cochin rooster. In the fall one of his birds went broody and he decided to let her hatch a small group of chicks. After being endlessly entertained by his hens, and tasting...