We took the fowl plunge!

Hi everyone! My husband and I recently got a place with some acreage and no restrictions (hooray!) in middle Tennessee. Naturally, chickens and ducks were the next step!

We decided to go the DIY route with the coop, which is almost done now. We've never built anything like this before, so it's been quite a learning experience. Many times by messing up ! A couple weekends of persistent rain have delayed it, but the end is in sight. Currently, the ducks free range the pasture during the day and sleep in a reinforced dog kennel at night. The chicks are still inside in their brooder (which now has an addition to keep them from being overcrowded).

Here's our beginner lineup:
2 Pekin ducks
2 Cayuga ducks
3 Amber link pullets
3 Brown tetra pullets
2 Ameraucanas
2 Cuckoo marans
2 Silver laced wyandottes

Would love any advice about raising chickens/ducks in middle TN, things to watch out for with DIY coops, and anything else!

Thanks!

Pictured below: My husband looking thrilled to be out in the rain putting plywood on the walls


Backside of coop


Our ducks actually being thrilled about the terrible weather and impromptu field ponds. At least someone is enjoying the rain!

G’Day from down under YveofNight Welcome & Congratulations!

Thank you for a lovely introduction .. hubby does not look like he is enjoying the rain as much as the Ducks!

I recommend a visit to the Learning Centre; lots of good tips there: https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center

BYC has a Duck Forum that you might want to keep in mind for future reference or Duck questions: https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/42/ducks

I hope you enjoy being a BYC member. There are lots of friendly and very helpful folks here so not only is it overflowing with useful information it is also a great place to make friends and have some fun.

You might want to also pop in and say hello on your local thread: https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/26/where-am-i-where-are-you ‘Find your State’s thread.

If you would like to share more pictures and stories of your flock, you have come to the right place. BYC’ers never tire of these and do not back away slowly or commence eye rolling when the photo album or home videos come out

"We took the fowl plunge" and wrote a bad pun.

But it had me smiling. Welcome.

Trying to see the coop in the picture. Is it a simple 8 x8?


Spook

Will your coop have ventilation grids below the roof? Maybe a window or two, chickens love to look outside.

Nothing like a good groaner! The free pallets we managed to get were quite a few different sizes, so it's not exactly 8'x8' but pretty close.

We are looking for a small used window to put on the front, but for now they'll have the vents on the roof line and on either side of the roof.

Thanks for the welcome and the helpful advice!