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I will check that out. The coop is 5x6 because that's what fits best in the spot. I know the builder is using cedar for the body of the coop, I'm not sure about the framing for the roof. The roof itself is metal and has a decent overhang. The entire coop will be under natural shade almost all...

Thanks for the suggestion! I'm having the coop built because I'm not the slightest bit handy, unfortunately, and my backyard has a significant slope so the site work will be too intensive for me also. I'll check into having another window or two built in though because I think it would be nice...

Thank you Blooie! That all makes a lot of sense. My coop and run will be of a similar style as the one in the picture. It'll have a small window but overall it seems kind of dark and isolated for brooding. Maybe I should go back a few steps and come up with another plan. I have a screened in...

I love the idea of using the MHP, and blocking off a portion of the run for them, but I'm wondering if that will be ok when it rains...? The coop is raised up 2 1/2 feet or so. There is run space underneath the coop. Also, part of the run will have a roof and part will be open. I can put them...

Thank you very much! I can't wait. :)

Thank you so much for the advice! I hear what you're saying about the benefits of building myself but I'm not handy *at all* unfortunately, and my backyard has a slope so the site prep will be more intensive than if it were flat. The builder is well respected though and I feel very good about...

I can easily believe that they're addictive! I already googled how long eggs incubate, because I was wondering if my chicks are incubating now. (They aren't Haha) I'm just hoping that the first week or two go by without any catastrophes. Luckily the breeds I want are pretty standard, so I was...

Thank you sooo much for the advice, information and links! "Don't over think it" is great advice because that's exactly what I'll do in this type of situation. Thanks so much! One last question: Any advice about the best way to get them started drinking when they first arrive? Thanks!

Thanks! I guess that's what I'll do then. :)

Thank you so much Blooie! I was following the first time chick parents this spring and hit upon one of your posts about MHP. I love the idea! And thanks so much for the links! I've been thinking that I'll need to find those links, order the right heating pad, study your step-by-step instructions...

Thank you to all who gave advice about number of chicks to start with, and who urged me to build as big as I can. I checked with builder and we're bumping up to 90 sf of run space, plus 30sf of coop space. Yayy! Not huge, but bigger! And I just placed an order for 6 chicks to be delivered in...

I'm sorry, I meant it as a joke. I definitely won't combine a serama with the heavy breeds. Thank you for the input though!

So 8 full size hens, and 1 serama? ;-) Thank you for the input!

Thanks so much for your opinion. I was wondering the same thing about maxing out from the start, and then if no losses, one day having a coop full of non-laying hens, vs. trying to integrate a new batch of hens with the existing flock later on. I don't know if I'll be able to build much bigger...

Thank you so much for the welcome and the input! I'm laughing, looking at my original question, because I realize I was sooo excited today to know that I can finally get started with chickens, and can place an order for chicks, that I lost half the capacity for clear communication. :) My coop...

So 8 + 1 serama? ;-) Thank you for your input!

The coop is 5x5

Would anyone like to weigh in on how many chicks a newbie should start with? This will be my first experience raising chicks (and adult chickens.) My coop/run will be approx 80 square feet. Thanks for any opinions on the matter!

I don't have chicks yet. I was planning on getting a red sex link and just wondered why you would never get production reds again? (Are they the same as red sex links?) Thanks