Need a little help.

[shimanole]

My wife and I have decided to raise 2 hens. We live in NE Florida and have a smallish lot and are looking for suggestions for the coop. We have birds of prey in the area and the occasional gray rat but due to loss of old growth trees we haven't seen a raccoon in years. We have a small garden with raised beds on the side of the house where we would like to keep the chickens. Could someone share some plans or recommendations to help us along? Any additional suggestions of any kind would be greatly appreciated. Thx

 

[The Chicken Eggspert]

What would be your price range?

 

[Tookie]

Hello and welcome to BYC!
Would it be possible to get 1 more chicken? Chickens are flock animals and if something happened to one of the hens you would have 1 chicken, and she would be very lonely and you might have trouble getting another hen. Four would be even better. But that is if you can.
Are you planning to build the coop and run?

 

[Krugerrand]

Hello! Welcome!

I'd recommend you start looking at the small coops here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/categories/small-coops.18/

Here is some good general information:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/categories/getting-started-raising-chickens.21/

Be sure to add your general location (NE FL is fine) to your profile for better responses.

 

[shimanole]

My price range for the coop is flexible. I've got all the lumber and hardware cloth I could need but I'd spend another $250-300 if necessary. Thanks

 

[shimanole]

Hello and welcome to BYC!
Would it be possible to get 1 more chicken? Chickens are flock animals and if something happened to one of the hens you would have 1 chicken, and she would be very lonely and you might have trouble getting another hen. Four would be even better. But that is if you can.
Are you planning to build the coop and run?

I can probably do 3. We plan on treating them like pets so they will get a lot of attention. I have several local sources for chickens but I see your point in having at least 3.

 

[The Chicken Eggspert]

It is much cheaper to build your own coop.

 

[shimanole]

It is much cheaper to build your own coop.

Yes, I'll be building the coop.

 

[The Chicken Eggspert]

Here are some good Ideas:

https://www.thespruce.com/free-chicken-coop-plans-1357113

 

[shimanole]

Hello! Welcome!

I'd recommend you start looking at the small coops here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/categories/small-coops.18/

Here is some good general information:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/categories/getting-started-raising-chickens.21/

Be sure to add your general location (NE FL is fine) to your profile for better responses.

Lots of great information. Thanks