New to chickens and new to the forum.

[CamM34]

Hello all! I'm new to chickens and new to the forum. I've been lurking around reading posts for the past few weeks which has helped me a lot getting my chickens all setup.

This summer I was given a very nice chicken coop by a family friend. I wasn't really planning on getting chickens till the spring but another friend found out I was given a coop and was looking to down size her flock. So here I am early November and I now have a coop and six beautiful chickens all happily pecking away in their new home.

Listed below are the breeds I was given.

1 - Delaware
1 - Lemon Cuckoo Orpington
2 - Ameraucana
1 - Welsumme
1 - Ameraucana mix (unsure of what she is mixed with)

 

[Michael OShay]

Welcome to BYC. Glad you decided to join our flock. A lot of us were lurkers before joining. ) You have a beautiful flock. Thanks for posting the pics. If you haven't done so already, definitely check out our Learning Center at https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center. There is lots of useful information there. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have. We are here to help in any way we can. Cheers.

 

[thick chick]

My chicks will be here today... I can't wait.... I feel like a little kid at Christmas. Except I wasn't this excited even as a kid lol. I am sooooo excited but I am not sure I will be able to know which breed is which. I have 9 babies coming . three ameraucana (two hens one roo) three black copper marans (two hens one roo).two easter eggers,one leg horn ( meal maker). Would any of you know the difference if I post pics later. Did I tell you how excited I am

 

[KatharinetheGr8]

Hello all! I'm new to chickens and new to the forum. I've been lurking around reading posts for the past few weeks which has helped me a lot getting my chickens all setup.

This summer I was given a very nice chicken coop by a family friend. I wasn't really planning on getting chickens till the spring but another friend found out I was given a coop and was looking to down size her flock. So here I am early November and I now have a coop and six beautiful chickens all happily pecking away in their new home.

Listed below are the breeds I was given.

1 - Delaware
1 - Lemon Cuckoo Orpington
2 - Ameraucana
1 - Welsumme
1 - Ameraucana mix (unsure of what she is mixed with)

@CamM34

Glad to have you! Beautiful birds! I've found so much joy in the few months I've been lucky enough to have backyard chickens, and this online community is very active, helpful, and fun!

My chicks will be here today... I can't wait.... I feel like a little kid at Christmas. Except I wasn't this excited even as a kid lol. I am sooooo excited but I am not sure I will be able to know which breed is which.

I have 9 babies coming . three ameraucana (two hens one roo) three black copper marans (two hens one roo).two easter eggers,one leg horn ( meal maker). Would any of you know the difference if I post pics later. Did I tell you how excited I am

@thick chick We all know your excitement! Waiting for chicks was just like Christmas for me, too! I can't help you identify breeds because I'm basically a newbie myself to chickens, but I anxiously await photos of your babies!

Kate

 

[CamM34]

Thank you for the warm welcome.

@Michael OShay I will definitely be checking out the learning center thanks.

Below is my coop setup.

 

[thick chick]

Postman is on his way. Just got the call. Sooooo excited

 

[Michael OShay]

Thank you for the warm welcome.

@Michael OShay I will definitely be checking out the learning center thanks.

Below is my coop setup.

You're welcome. Nice looking coop. However if you have any predators in your area (dogs, cats, coons, opossums, foxes, rats, weasels, snakes, etc.) I would strongly recommend replacing that chicken wire with hardware cloth as these predators can either tear through chicken wire or pass through the openings in the mesh. If you have coons in your area make sure to either use a padlock or at least a double action latch on your coop door as coons can easily figure out how to open a single latch. Good luck with your flock.

 

[CamM34]

You're welcome. Nice looking coop. However if you have any predators in your area (dogs, cats, coons, opossums, foxes, rats, weasels, snakes, etc.) I would strongly recommend replacing that chicken wire with hardware cloth as these predators can either tear through chicken wire or pass through the openings in the mesh. If you have coons in your area make sure to either use a padlock or at least a double action latch on your coop door as coons can easily figure out how to open a single latch. Good luck with your flock.

I considered hardware cloth but it's a bit expensive when you start looking for 60" tall stuff. Thankfully I haven't had any animal problems with my bee hives so I decided on just the plain chicken wire for now. If I do end up with a problem I'll just run a few stings of electical line around and get a low cost ac fence charger.

 

[Michael OShay]

Hardware cloth is more expensive than chicken wire, but it's cheaper than continually replacing your flock; not to mention the peace mind it brings knowing your flock is safe from predators. However, some electric wires strategically placed should keep your flock safe as well. Good luck.

 

[CamM34]

Hardware cloth is more expensive than chicken wire, but it's cheaper than continually replacing your flock; not to mention the peace mind it brings knowing your flock is safe from predators. However, some electric wires strategically placed sound keep your flock safe as well. Good luck.

Very true replacing those birds would cost a bit. Though for now I'll run the risk and just be vigilant about checking around the run for signs of predators trying to get in.