1st coop build is complete

[RW1984]

I hear you! Our coop and run looked like a kindergartner made it out of stuff they found at the junkyard when we first started LOL. Yours is 100% nicer looking and you're just starting. Years into getting the coop and run functioning and predator proof (seems like we're always missing something), we're finally getting to making it look better. I also agree with others about the ventilation, which might become an issue depending on where you live, although if your chickens free range most of the day, maybe it won't be so bad. Congratulations on the coop and the eggs!

I live in North Carolina near Fort Bragg.
My birds are outside in their run most of the day to be honest. They maybe spend 2 hours in the coop when the sun is not blocked by the trees. I’m working on fixing that though to provide some shade in the run during that time.
Thank you for all the kind words!

 

[3KillerBs]

I live in North Carolina near Fort Bragg.

We're pretty close together then and you almost certainly need more ventilation.

Some guides say to provide one square foot of ventilation per chicken, but my rule of thumb when setting up my coop was to provide enough airflow that it wasn't any hotter inside the coop than outside.

Here in the steamy southeast heat is a much bigger problem than cold will ever be.

 

[RW1984]

We're pretty close together then and you almost certainly need more ventilation.

Some guides say to provide one square foot of ventilation per chicken, but my rule of thumb when setting up my coop was to provide enough airflow that it wasn't any hotter inside the coop than outside.

Here in the steamy southeast heat is a much bigger problem than cold will ever be.

Nice! I see you’re in the Sandhills area, what kind of chickens do you have?
Maybe we could trade some chicks haha
I know I could use another window, it’s definitely on my to do list. They have been pretty happy so far but I know that’s because things have been cooling down a fair amount so I’m tempted to just keep the door open and let it stay as is until closer till summer so they don’t get too cold when it drops to freezing out here come winter on those random nights it happens haha!
I recently got a concussion so my to do list built up a lot so I’m starting back up now.

 

[Folly's place]

Glad you are healing! Head injuries are no joke!
'Windows' can mean big openings covered in hardware cloth, no actual window required. In very cold weather, having sheet vinyl over lower openings works very well.
Definitely more light and windows for both light and ventilation!
Mary

 

[3KillerBs]

I had in-town chickens about 5-7 years ago but didn't replace them while I was working a lot of overtime. Now I'm on country property and not working full time so I have a new flock started.

For now, until we have larger facilities, I have 2 Light Brahmas, 2 Blue Australorps, 2 Silver-Laced Wyandottes, and a California White (lost her sister at about 4-5 days old probably to shipping stress). I wanted Delawares, but got the SLW's as subs when the feed store didn't get the Delawares in the shipment they were due in.

When we can build a larger coop I want to order enough to achieve about 20 or so -- possibly selling eggs at farmers' markets and selling started pullets.

 

[RW1984]

I had in-town chickens about 5-7 years ago but didn't replace them while I was working a lot of overtime. Now I'm on country property and not working full time so I have a new flock started.

For now, until we have larger facilities, I have 2 Light Brahmas, 2 Blue Australorps, 2 Silver-Laced Wyandottes, and a California White (lost her sister at about 4-5 days old probably to shipping stress). I wanted Delawares, but got the SLW's as subs when the feed store didn't get the Delawares in the shipment they were due in.

When we can build a larger coop I want to order enough to achieve about 20 or so -- possibly selling eggs at farmers' markets and selling started pullets.

Do you know of a farmers market in the area? I would l would love to find one.
Do you need/want a rooster? I have 7 haha
I have a couple sapphire gems and a couple silver laced Wyandotte’s.
They are all about 4-5 months old.
I’m really hoping to get some buff brahmas and some more americanas, possibly some white jersey giants but the other two are priority

 

[3KillerBs]

Do you know of a farmers market in the area? I would l would love to find one.
Do you need/want a rooster? I have 7 haha
I have a couple sapphire gems and a couple silver laced Wyandotte’s.
They are all about 4-5 months old.
I’m really hoping to get some buff brahmas and some more americanas, possibly some white jersey giants but the other two are priority

My county has a number of farmers' markets, though the COVID crisis has screwed it up.

Assuming that my sexed pullets are all female (two are suspicious), I am planning on holding off until next year to get a rooster. I'm indecisive about what kind I want.

Brahma roosters are so GORGEOUS -- stately yard-dinosaurs with feathered feet and prehistoric-looking heads -- but slow maturity and lower egg-laying rates aren't what I want for half my flock genetics.

I'm thinking I might order some straight-run Delawares, Marans, or Australorps and see if a couple of them work out.