Am I on the right path?

[Eggcentric One]

Sounds good so far. Just FYI: my Brahma prefers a smaller nest box. I started with boxes that were 14x17. I made smaller ones for the bantams that are 11x12. The Brahma was the first to use the smaller boxes - Lol!

Keep us posted!

Now that is hilarious. I am sitting here giggling.Of course they would choose the smaller boxes and if you only had smaller they wouldn't go in from what I have read. HAHAHAHA

 

[TooCheep]

So you think I have too many nest boxes planned? I was worried because of the laying estimates and the potential flock growth. Should this not be a concern for me? Should I scale back?

Sorry, someone else will have to supply a number of nest boxes for a larger group. The only reason that I have more than one nest is that more than one girl may want to nest at the same time.

Edit: I've seen some people use double and triple-decker nesting boxes. Might save you a lot of space and make collecting eggs easier.

 

[Eggcentric One]

Sorry, someone else will have to supply a number of nest boxes for a larger group. The only reason that I have more than one nest is that more than one girl may want to nest at the same time.

That's okay. I appreciate you taking the time to offer me what knowledge and help you have available. You have been EGGCEPTIONAL!

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

I am in preparation mode and require the advise and opinions of the experienced flock keeper. In the provided photo you will see my intentions and many questions answered.
My grandparent had chickens when I was small. However, the only consideration was for the eggs produced and the meat attained. Temperament most definitely was not a consideration, nor their comfort and safety. Predators would occasionally have a feast and storms would decimate their coops. I have no intention of being the same.
While most would consider my plans to be an unnecessary expense, I look at two things, first longevity of investment expense, minimal as a DIYer, AND if I am happier in a nice home, why wouldn't my charges be as well.
I look forward to your responses and input. Thank you all for you time!

Welcome to BYC!

I'm a beginner too but I'm really impressed with your fore thought and planning for your coop.
I only have 4 chooks but things I would suggest are:
* have your nesting boxes at a good height for you to harvest and clean out (about waist height)
*make sure all floor areas in the coop are easy to access and wide enough for a rake so you don't have any horrible little corners that you can't get to ( though your set up looks like you won't have that problem! )
*Plant even more chicken friendly herbs and plants around your run. My chooks like to peck at the comfrey, wormwood, parsley, thyme and oregano growing just outside their run.
*Try having a grazing box or two in the run so they have grass to peck at. Here's a link to making one
https://www.attainable-sustainable.net/diy-grazing-boxes/
There are also several threads about them on BYC
* I have a little stool in my chook run. It's nice to sit in with the chickens and just chill. They also get more used to you that way.

I'm looking forward to seeing your plans come to fruition!

 

[jolenesdad]

What an exciting endeavor! Good luck, and welcome! I think you'll find everything you need here and more, and lots of incredible people willing to offer all of their advice and help.

Im in a hot and humid climate, one of the most important considerations for me is the prevailing winds.

First, put your house on the southern side of the coop. Im sure that you, like us, have 90% prevailing winds from the south throughout the year. Keep the coop smell and flies away with nature just sending it away. Secondly, put your coop where you can take advantage of the breeze for ventilation. I can't imagine in GA you ever actually get into an issue with cold, so I would make sure to angle your coop and run to take as much advantage of the breeze on your property.

Im sure this goes without saying, but spend as MUCH time on your property as you possibly can before doing anything permanent, you'll learn so much. I have a ZERO bug/mosquito problem in my backyard because we lucked into a prevailing wind situation with it.

 

[Eggcentric One]

Welcome to BYC!

I'm a beginner too but I'm really impressed with your fore thought and planning for your coop.
I only have 4 chooks but things I would suggest are:
* have your nesting boxes at a good height for you to harvest and clean out (about waist height)
*make sure all floor areas in the coop are easy to access and wide enough for a rake so you don't have any horrible little corners that you can't get to ( though your set up looks like you won't have that problem! )
*Plant even more chicken friendly herbs and plants around your run. My chooks like to peck at the comfrey, wormwood, parsley, thyme and oregano growing just outside their run.
*Try having a grazing box or two in the run so they have grass to peck at. Here's a link to making one
https://www.attainable-sustainable.net/diy-grazing-boxes/
There are also several threads about them on BYC
* I have a little stool in my chook run. It's nice to sit in with the chickens and just chill. They also get more used to you that way.

I'm looking forward to seeing your plans come to fruition!

Oh my, what wonderful information and suggestions. Thank you so much! I know so very little and all the education I can receive is embraced with warm welcoming arms.

 

[Ebony Rose]

You may consider prepping the brooding area with escape routes along the floor for the chicks that aren't so big that the adults can squeeze through; something removable to let you control when young chicks can come and go, and ease their incorporation into the flock. You'll need to consider how you'll deal with litter in that area as well.

I chuckled when I saw the roosting areas separated by breed; that'll never happen naturally. If you do not plan to separate them in the run, then separating them in the coop is more work than it's worth (and would have to be done manually... by you... every day... because that's just how things work with chickens).

 

[Eggcentric One]

You may consider prepping the brooding area with escape routes along the floor for the chicks that aren't so big that the adults can squeeze through; something removable to let you control when young chicks can come and go, and ease their incorporation into the flock. You'll need to consider how you'll deal with litter in that area as well.

I chuckled when I saw the roosting areas separated by breed; that'll never happen naturally. If you do not plan to separate them in the run, then separating them in the coop is more work than it's worth (and would have to be done manually... by you... every day... because that's just how things work with chickens).

Escape routes? Can you define more clearly. I am sorry that I am not understanding. I am placing hardware clothe in the main coop area, to allow them to get to know one another somewhat while remaining safely separate and the same in the covered run area.
As for the breeds in the coop. LOL. I don't expect them to adhere. That is for my benefit and that of those whose opinions/advise I am requesting. They will all coop together.
I don't know much but know enough to understand the chuckle I gave you. HAHA

 

[twendt]

GOOD ON YOU!! I brought home 3 RIR baby (2 day old) chicks with NO COOP, NO PLANS, and NO ORDINANCE.... Now, I have 6 hens, who are healthy and happy!! Learned a lot in my 2yrs of chicken keeping, THE HARD WAY!!

 

[Eggcentric One]

GOOD ON YOU!! I brought home 3 RIR baby (2 day old) chicks with NO COOP, NO PLANS, and NO ORDINANCE.... Now, I have 6 hens, who are healthy and happy!! Learned a lot in my 2yrs of chicken keeping, THE HARD WAY!!

I can't imagine the scramble ( no pun intended ) you must have had. HAHA