Accidental chicken owner

Pics
Date sort Score sort
Biz

Biz

In the Brooder
Nov 4, 2017
7
18
31
Hi everyone my full name is Elizabeth but people call me Beth, Liz, Biz, and Elizabeth Ann( especially when I'm in trouble). I am originally from Pennsylvania, but now call North Carolina home.
I say accidental chicken owner because, a friend came over and fixed our lawn mower and mowed half our lawn. He then called me and asked me what was that strange-looking bird running around in my yard.( he proceeded to describe to me what I pictured from a childhood cartoon character Longhorn the chicken hawk when he would grab a chicken by the neck with one hand and legs by the other and stretch.) My cousin, Vonn, and I were stumped. We didn't have a clue as to what he was talking about.
It took about a week, before I saw what I thought was a game hen.
Now I understand I have a zoo I have three dogs, 4 cats, 7 pet rats, and 6 exotic birds. Never in my wildest dreams have I ever thought of owning a chicken. ( I guess fate had other plans.)

Unfortunately about 2 months ago she died after I only had her for about three months. But she sparked in me a love for chickens.
Since then we have gotten two more hens that were raised as pets for someone's grandchildren. They both have such personality and one chose me and one chose my cousin. Their names are Lucky and Hey Hey.
Unfortunately the reason I am up this early on my one day to sleep in, is I need to build a better chicken coop. Two nights ago a predator ran around the Run of my current coop, Doug several places out until it finally got into my coop and killed my Lucky.
So right now Hey Hey, is securely resting in the bird room in our house. I decided that I was going to go to the chicken coop today before I put her back out there or got her some other friends.(I never knew I would/could love a chicken.)
Biz
 
Hi Biz and welcome to BYC.

Here’s a link to the Articles section - https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/ There you’ll find lots of information on almost every aspect of keeping chickens - from coop building ideas, to incubating eggs.

There’s a link on the page above to the Learning Centre - it’s a great resource. If you have a specific topic in mind, just type it in the search box - there's a wealth of information on past and present threads.

Each week, various topics are discussed, which can also be a great resource - https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/topic-of-the-week-thread-archive

You may wish to consider joining your state thread as it will put you in touch with other BYC members in your area - http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/270925/find-your-states-thread#post_3239224

All the best

Pork Pie
 
SueT said:
Welcome to BYC! Sorry about the predators...they will surely return, so post pics of your set up and people will recommend how to make it safe for your chickens....
Click to expand...

I started out making the first "coop", ended up having to take it apart due to it not being level; resulting in a tipsy turvy coop. Today I am going to try a simple one (if it doesn't rain!!!)
I know the winters here aren't below 0F, but they are wet, so I want one that is up off the ground. HH, free ranges, when we are outside with her (we always did this with the others too). I read about how to "fan" out the wire around the run and the coop will have a solid bottom.
Any idea of where I can look at some coop building plans?
Thanks for the welcome!
Biz
 
Howdy Biz and :welcome:frow Glad you joined the family. Enjoy your stay here!
You read correct! You need an apron (either wire mesh or concrete) around the bottom of the coop and run, about 2' out from the base. This will help keep predators from digging under and massacring your birds.:hit
 
Biz said:
I started out making the first "coop", ended up having to take it apart due to it not being level; resulting in a tipsy turvy coop. Today I am going to try a simple one (if it doesn't rain!!!)
I know the winters here aren't below 0F, but they are wet, so I want one that is up off the ground. HH, free ranges, when we are outside with her (we always did this with the others too). I read about how to "fan" out the wire around the run and the coop will have a solid bottom.
Any idea of where I can look at some coop building plans?
Thanks for the welcome!
Biz
Click to expand...
The coop section, as i mentioned in my initial post should have some
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/

More specifically, here's a link to a search on articles for coop plans - https://www.backyardchickens.com/search/10504934/?q=coop+plans&t=ams_article&o=relevance
 
Thank you all....I found the area.....:woot:eek: there is soooo much information here......so glad I found BYC.....my new favorite place to "surf"!!!
B
*off to build a coop
 
sunflour said:
:welcome glad you have joined us, but so sorry about your losses.

Have you explored the Coops articles and forums? Many do show materials and describe their build.

For a small flock ( like mine) I love the all-in-one coop/predator proof run:)
Click to expand...


Would you happen to have any photos of your coop?
 
:welcome

Hi Biz, it's nice to have you here with us!

Sorry about the loss of Lucky, unfortunately, things like that happen. Best of luck with a new/improved coop. If you have any questions, always feel free to ask.

Thanks for joining us!
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom