- Mar 16, 2014
- 21
- 3
- 31
Last year two of my closest friends got fuzzy little chicks and started the journey for raising them for fun and eggs, yummmmy. We were interested in trying it too and this year we were able to get our own backyard flock started. I read a few books, had long talks with my Dad, and researched a hatchery nearby called Ideal Poultry (in Cameron, TX). So in February my daughter Lucy and I drove over to pick up our 6 chicks (that is the limit for our in town chicken permit, NO Roosters allowed) that are hopefully all girls (they were sexed but I know that is not foolproof). We got 2 Silver Laced Wyandottes, 2 Americaunas, and 2 Buff Orpingtons. That was three weeks ago and we have been enjoying it so much. The chicks are fun for play and are teaching my boys how to care for and enjoy our new pets.
My hubby has worked nonstop, he found a load of pine siding that had staples in it from a parade float that was at a dumpster. He disassembled a few pallets, and we were able to raid my parents wood pile also. My Mom gave me an antique window that has an original spring loaded latch for closure, and my Dad also handed down some old galvanized nesting boxes that I LOVE. The coop has been a lot of work since we are making the plans work with what we have. We haven't nailed down our chicken run plan but we are toying with the notion of using our old round trampoline frame as an arced support for the run. I know that building the coop with recycled materials has added time but our budget and our desire for it to be recycled are both satisfied. The hardware cloth I chose was on sale at Lowes for $12 per 25 foot roll, thank you for clearance sales!
So here we go with a new year and a new project, so far we are so glad that we didn't get scared and "chicken out" of getting our chicks. It has been work getting their new home together but we are having tons of fun and our family has spent a lot of time playing and caring for them. I would recommend it to anyone thinking of taking the plunge.
My hubby has worked nonstop, he found a load of pine siding that had staples in it from a parade float that was at a dumpster. He disassembled a few pallets, and we were able to raid my parents wood pile also. My Mom gave me an antique window that has an original spring loaded latch for closure, and my Dad also handed down some old galvanized nesting boxes that I LOVE. The coop has been a lot of work since we are making the plans work with what we have. We haven't nailed down our chicken run plan but we are toying with the notion of using our old round trampoline frame as an arced support for the run. I know that building the coop with recycled materials has added time but our budget and our desire for it to be recycled are both satisfied. The hardware cloth I chose was on sale at Lowes for $12 per 25 foot roll, thank you for clearance sales!
So here we go with a new year and a new project, so far we are so glad that we didn't get scared and "chicken out" of getting our chicks. It has been work getting their new home together but we are having tons of fun and our family has spent a lot of time playing and caring for them. I would recommend it to anyone thinking of taking the plunge.
and Welcome To BYC!
