Advice for overwhelmed soon to be chicken owner!

[DonyaQuick]

I’m getting a prefab coop to start. It’s got an attached run and should be plenty is space for 4 birds until we’re comfortable letting them free range in our yard while we’re outside.

Make sure you know what predators you're up against. I also started with a prefab because I almost completely lack carpentry skills and have had it most of a year now. I still think it's better than anything I would have been able to built myself at the time. I had to make some modifications to it right away when I assembled it though: hardware cloth over the entire top before putting the roof on (proof against weasels/rats), 2ft predator skirt around the outside (stop digging from foxes, etc.), extra latches on all doors that either had key locks built-in or allowed padlocks (racoons), and washers+screws to reinforce hardware cloth over a window where it was just stapled to stop it being pushed in from outside. Later I also ran into some issues with needing to add some extra bits of wood to block out rain and had to replace sliding doors that would stick, but that was mostly to do with the particular model of prefab I had. Anyway, depending on where you live and what daytime and nocturnal predators are in your area, you might need to make some similar additions to it before it's safe to have your chickens out in the coop/run unsupervised.

 

[AntiqueB]

I agree with @DonyaQuick about the coop. I, too, have a prefab, going on its second year. I've had no problems BUT I also reinforced all hardware cloth with screws and washers, added hardware cloth on the bottom, added ventilation, added weatherstripping inside around doors and to the part where the nestbox meets the roof to prevent leaking. I also added real latches that accept padlocks and painted inside and out with quality exterior paint before assembly.

I have my girls in a suburban backyard, so I like that the coop doesn't show above my fence. It also doesn't need to be extremely predator-proof, as the worst we have are raccoons who can more easily flip a garbage can lid than break into my coop. The chickens have the whole backyard (all 50' X 25' of it!) during the day, so it works ok for me.

I feed unmedicated (Purina) chick starter, then switch over to all-flock with oyster shell and grit on the side. I recommend Scratch and Peck grit; they have 3 different sizes for chicks, pullets, and adults.

In the coop, I use pine shavings for bedding, liberally sprinkled with PDZ stall refresher.

 

[T-R-O-U-B-L-E]

I wish I could have this coop: https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/producers-pride-defender-chicken-coop-2020-1168239n
The one you looked at originally looks decent. It should be for $500.

 

[3KillerBs]

I wish I could have this coop: https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/producers-pride-defender-chicken-coop-2020-1168239n
The one you looked at originally looks decent. It should be for $500.

Notice that they don't actually tell you how big the coop is -- but if the run is 10x10 then that coop can't be bigger than 4x4 -- which is suited to 4 chickens.

 

[curlycropchics]

I live in SC so it’s been getting down in the 20s lately that’s why the breeder is waiting until March to ship! They are standard size!

I was going to do a dog kennel with a small coop inside of it but would have to wrap the kennel in hardware cloth. Would that be a better option?

I use a dog kennel (large) for my babies but i don't do hardware cloth i use cardboard, go to home depot (or if you have big boxes laying around) and grab a large box and cut it into three pieces to attach to the back and both sides, if you like cut a small piece to go over door. I also use a strip of vinyl flooring on the base..allows for easier clean up and if you use a slightly larger piece bend it up on the sides to stop them from making a mess. The cardboard should be enough if they are inside of kept somewhere where pests and other animals are not going to be around them. however if they are going into an area that something might want them add the cloth.

As everyone has said however, 4 large hens, are going to grow pretty quick if you are not using like a LARGE kennel you might have to rethink in a couple of weeks.

I actually used old feed bags to cover the walls of my kennel for the new lot I have coming next week. I know you don't have any of those yet, but hey save em' mine have come in handy for all types of projects.

Starting
- I did a brooder plate house - the babies go under to keep warm
- I did a red low watt bulb above my brooder to keep them from pecking each other, they get curious with light spots on each other and if there is blood they will peck it.
- water base for mason jar and food base for mason jar (2 of each, very inexpensive, just allows time to clean them, you will be cleaning often they are messy)
- As about 3 weeks i would start putting a small roosting post not very high from the ground, they will start getting adventrous.
- Pine shavings, I use fine but alot of people like the bigger ones.
- electrolyte and probiotic water supplement, I kept my chick on it for most of the first year and definetly in the summer
- Camera, so we hooked up a camera so that when i am feeling uneasy I can look in from my bed and see them. There are some very inexpensive ones that are WIFI and you can hook to the top of your cage and watch from your phone.

GOOD LUCK AND YOUR GOING TO LOVE THEM!!

 

[Carlyb22]

Make sure you know what predators you're up against. I also started with a prefab because I almost completely lack carpentry skills and have had it most of a year now. I still think it's better than anything I would have been able to built myself at the time. I had to make some modifications to it right away when I assembled it though: hardware cloth over the entire top before putting the roof on (proof against weasels/rats), 2ft predator skirt around the outside (stop digging from foxes, etc.), extra latches on all doors that either had key locks built-in or allowed padlocks (racoons), and washers+screws to reinforce hardware cloth over a window where it was just stapled to stop it being pushed in from outside. Later I also ran into some issues with needing to add some extra bits of wood to block out rain and had to replace sliding doors that would stick, but that was mostly to do with the particular model of prefab I had. Anyway, depending on where you live and what daytime and nocturnal predators are in your area, you might need to make some similar additions to it before it's safe to have your chickens out in the coop/run unsupervised.

I’m getting a custom coop now that’s a little more predator proofed! I wouldn’t leave them out unsupervised since they are polish chickens and do better penned anyways, but if they are easy enough to catch and everything I will let them out when Me or my sister are in the yard! Definitely not unsupervised though and only during the day. I don’t know what predators we have since we only moved a couple months ago, I’ve seen hawks but nothing else. We have a 6ft fence and 4 dogs though.

 

[curlycropchics]

I’m getting a custom coop now that’s a little more predator proofed! I wouldn’t leave them out unsupervised since they are polish chickens and do better penned anyways, but if they are easy enough to catch and everything I will let them out when Me or my sister are in the yard! Definitely not unsupervised though and only during the day. I don’t know what predators we have since we only moved a couple months ago, I’ve seen hawks but nothing else. We have a 6ft fence and 4 dogs though.

 

[curlycropchics]

Def be careful with the hawks...chickens are def big game for them, if your dogs arent accustom to protecting your chicks you could lose some to the hawks. It's all a learning process.

 

[Ascholten]

The prefabs for the most part tend to be poorly built and more hassles than they are worth. Even IF it lasts 2 years, you still, threw 300 dollars away that could have been put towards a coop that last a lot longer.

Check Craigs List for starters, or the Internet, Google is your Friend, Look for chicken supplies, Monthly chicken swaps, stuff like that. I know out here there is a big monthly I guess you could call it chicken swap but they do so much other stuff. Point being, you can run into many people who may have an older coop that was built a bit more sturdy they outgrew, or even someone who builds them from scratch. Also check with your local game / feed stores and Tractor Supply, I believe up north Farm and Fleet is another similar type. Ask them if there are any swaps, or if they know someone who can build coops etc.

I am going to post a Craigs List that is down by me, but I am sure you can find similar type stuff by where you live.

https://gainesville.craigslist.org/search/sss?query=chicken coop

of course due diligence etc but you can find good coops, some expensive, sometimes people give them away for free or a few dollars. it might need a good spray down but free is free.

Good luck.

Aaron

 

[TheOddOneOut]

I’m getting 4 polish hens from a breeder in March. They will be 3 weeks old at the time I have them shipped. I’m thinking of using a large hamster cage as a brooder for them until they out grow it and then what do I use? I’d like to keep them in the house extra long because I heard that especially with polish chickens they can be sensitive to coccidiosis and a good preventative is keeping them inside longer to build their immune systems? So I need to figure out what to keep them in other than just my bathroom chicken proofed


Also does anyone have a shopping list? I feel like I need so much stuff yet don’t really know what. I’m getting a prefab coop to start. It’s got an attached run and should be plenty is space for 4 birds until we’re comfortable letting them free range in our yard while we’re outside.

If anyone has any advice at all I’ll take it! I’m definitely not new to owning animals or even expiring animals at that but chickens are a whole new area I’m not used to at all!

Prefab coops suck. They only fit about half of what is advertised. And their quality is terrible.