Hi I would like to ask when first starting up, what are the most common mistakes made and how to avoid them
Common Mistakes Made
- Thread starter PhilBen
- Start date
The best way to avoid common mistakes is to do research. Learn all you can before starting. Read up on the behaviors, breeds and attributes, coop designs, etc. When it comes to coops, always go bigger than you think you'll need. The size of your flock will inevitably grow larger than your plans.
There is a wealth of information on this site. Go to the Learning Center and read everything. Ask questions here, in the forum.
Good luck!
There is a wealth of information on this site. Go to the Learning Center and read everything. Ask questions here, in the forum.
Good luck!
1) Under estimating the number of and intelligence of predators.
2) Building too small.
3) Using chicken wire.
Check your measurements, and then check them a couple more times.
- Thread starter
- #5
Thanks for your answers, I am in the industry but have never kept any livestock etc so Iam thinking with the limited space I have that poultry would be my best option. I have always been into fish keeping so from what you guys have said very similar rules apply. I would also like to ask what is the best start up breed ?
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aka, "Measure twice, and cut once."
aka, "Measure twice, and cut once."
Our first flock was a mix of several breeds. We had a leghorn, a barred rock, a welsummer, a rhode island red, and an easter-egger. Our leghorn (Felipa) got eggbound and passed on halloween last year. The welsummer (Martha) and rhode island red (Rhoda) had to be culled. See my signature line for what our current flock is.
- Thread starter
- #8
Thanks for that, I thinking of about a 12x12 poultry house and about the same size run.
12x12 = 144 sqft = room for 36 birds (allowing 4 sqft/bird)
A run of the same size has room for 14 birds (allowing 10 sqft/bird).
A run of the same size has room for 14 birds (allowing 10 sqft/bird).
I started with what I think are the famous five: Buff Orpington, Plymouth Rock - Barred (commonly called Barred Rock), Black Australorp, Black Sex-Link, Rhode Island Red. I quickly added a few, always a different breed. I was absolutely positive I wouldn't be able to tell them apart if they were all the same breed. I knew I would name them. Couldn't quite deal with "Good morning, Rhoda!" "How are you today, Rhoda?" "Hi, Rhoda girl!" "'Mornin', Rhoda!" etc.
As to mistakes. Well, build the coop before you actually have the chicks or chickens. That way you don't rush the job and build an A-Frame without close attention to plans and not notice the distinction between 2x2s and 2x4s, or 1/2 and 3/4 inch plywood. A-Frames are commonly called "tractors" and are intended to be movable. Not mine. It's gonna be where I built it until the next millennium.
As to mistakes. Well, build the coop before you actually have the chicks or chickens. That way you don't rush the job and build an A-Frame without close attention to plans and not notice the distinction between 2x2s and 2x4s, or 1/2 and 3/4 inch plywood. A-Frames are commonly called "tractors" and are intended to be movable. Not mine. It's gonna be where I built it until the next millennium.
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