Okay, we're ready for our first flock!
We have all our basic supplies, coop done, read & talked to many about everything we think of and have been scanning our local craigslist for pullets. Couple more questions now the birds are in sight. Our close neighbor has free ranging bantys, that includes our yard and garden (one of the reasons we want our own is they're so much fun to watch!). What problems might we have with his flock, the birds seem healthy and no visible sickness. Will our flock want to move into his coop or vice versa, will our coop start with half a dozen birds and end up with 50 trying to move in because they like our feed or housing better? After we have our birds, how long should we wait until we let them free range? Want to be sure they know what house is theirs as I'm sure they will certainty explore his yard and garden too.
We are going for eggs, not meat production and pets to keep us company while working our little truck garden we have in the country. Easter eggers are high on our list as well as BO and Australorps and Marans for the chocolate brown eggs. EFU zoning, so we can have all the cranky roosters we want ;-) but going to start with just one to keep the girls in line, probably an EE.
Looking forward to all the tips and advice you can offer,
Dan & Vicki
We have all our basic supplies, coop done, read & talked to many about everything we think of and have been scanning our local craigslist for pullets. Couple more questions now the birds are in sight. Our close neighbor has free ranging bantys, that includes our yard and garden (one of the reasons we want our own is they're so much fun to watch!). What problems might we have with his flock, the birds seem healthy and no visible sickness. Will our flock want to move into his coop or vice versa, will our coop start with half a dozen birds and end up with 50 trying to move in because they like our feed or housing better? After we have our birds, how long should we wait until we let them free range? Want to be sure they know what house is theirs as I'm sure they will certainty explore his yard and garden too.
We are going for eggs, not meat production and pets to keep us company while working our little truck garden we have in the country. Easter eggers are high on our list as well as BO and Australorps and Marans for the chocolate brown eggs. EFU zoning, so we can have all the cranky roosters we want ;-) but going to start with just one to keep the girls in line, probably an EE.
Looking forward to all the tips and advice you can offer,
Dan & Vicki