Hi
I used to have a brood of 8 hens on Gabriola Island near the SW corner of British Columbia, but we sold that property about 12 years ago, so I feel like I have to re-learn everything.
Now we are on the Sunshine Coast of BC, just a bit north of Vancouver. I hope to custom build a coop and run that we can see from the house, but it will be about 15-20 feet away. I’d like to start with just 4 pullets but will design the accommodations and run to take up to 8.
The location will put the coop in a wooded area with tree coverage but the sun will be on the south and west side of it and the run will be on the sunny side, too - but with something to provide shade.
I’m considering the automatic coop door opener if anyone has experience with them; just to help out our chicken-sitting friends when we are away. We have loads of wildlife here. Comments?
Our last hens were a variety of breeds but most of the eggs were very large and brown with a deep orange yolk. They were absolutely delicious! I’ll be trying to find hens that can provide eggs like that again.
My timing is hopefully to have a coop in by May 2020 and the only thing I haven’t figured out is how to cover the top for eagle/hawk protection but so that it’s not ugly, because our sun deck will look down onto the coop and run.
Exciting
I used to have a brood of 8 hens on Gabriola Island near the SW corner of British Columbia, but we sold that property about 12 years ago, so I feel like I have to re-learn everything.
Now we are on the Sunshine Coast of BC, just a bit north of Vancouver. I hope to custom build a coop and run that we can see from the house, but it will be about 15-20 feet away. I’d like to start with just 4 pullets but will design the accommodations and run to take up to 8.
The location will put the coop in a wooded area with tree coverage but the sun will be on the south and west side of it and the run will be on the sunny side, too - but with something to provide shade.
I’m considering the automatic coop door opener if anyone has experience with them; just to help out our chicken-sitting friends when we are away. We have loads of wildlife here. Comments?
Our last hens were a variety of breeds but most of the eggs were very large and brown with a deep orange yolk. They were absolutely delicious! I’ll be trying to find hens that can provide eggs like that again.
My timing is hopefully to have a coop in by May 2020 and the only thing I haven’t figured out is how to cover the top for eagle/hawk protection but so that it’s not ugly, because our sun deck will look down onto the coop and run.
Exciting
Welcome back to chicken life! 
We are glad you joined our flock!
