Brand new at keeping chickens. Advice to get started?

Hello, I am brand new to this. So I don't have a huge space out in the country. It will literally be backyard chickens haha. I will get either coop in the links below. How do you set up the inside of the coop? What bedding do you use? How do you keep it clean? How do you keep the outside ground clean? And do they stay in the run or can they have free range of the yard? How do you keep them from escaping if so? (I have chain link) At this point I am not looking to have a huge operation. Maybe 2-3 hens for eggs, so a small set up would be great. Would young chicks be able to use this or only adults? How do you set up an area for them to lay? Sorry if I sound clueless, just want to get everything right.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/55-Deluxe-R...934784?hash=item43f7c8b540:g:LpsAAOSwXeJYL8Lz

or

http://www.ebay.com/itm/75-Wooden-P...950562?hash=item1ec51bc5e2:g:ZHUAAOSwIgNXoKd7

Hi, that is so exiting that you are getting chicks! I just got five new chicks to add to my existing flock last month, and they are growing so fast! Everyone has their own opinion about what type of bedding to use; pine shavings, straw, sand etc.; but have always used pine shavings. If you want to keep your coop clean without having to clean it every week, use the deep liter method. I just started it today in fact, and I have read that you fill the coop four inches deep with pine shavings, and the chickens turn it over on their own, making it last for months. Maybe when you just have chicks don't put too much pine shavings until they are older. Also, you should buy or make a brooder for your chicks when they are small, and they also need a heat source when they are young. You probably shouldn't put the chicks in the coop until they are at least a month old. As for letting your chickens free range, that's your call. I let my chickens free range part time, and they always come back to the coop as it is getting dark. If you have large dogs in your neighborhood that could get under your fence, that might not be a good idea to let them free range. When building nest boxes, you can put them on the ground or hook them to a wall with a ladder leading up to them. Sorry, I know this is a lot of information, and most of these things are my opinion, so you can do them any way you want. I really hope some of this helps, and good luck with the chicks!!

Olivia

Welcome!

I'm relatively new also but learned lots from this forum. I got started with 5 inherited hens.

Look for my post 'Expanded my run - new coop is next'

I have photos and explanations of how I built my new coop and what I use.