Any tips on first time chicken raiser? (New member!)

[Gallinarium]

Thank you for the advice! I do have a relatively small backyard, some of the space occupied by garden beds, however, from what people have been saying, I believe I am A-Okay. Now though, kind of concerned when winter approaches and the chickens will be confined for most of the day, I don't want the egg production to slow, and do not want them to be confined all day. Recommendations?

Make sure you have a light in the coop to boost winter egg production. Tip: have the extra light hours in the morning, rather than in the evening. That way, the light at the end of the day tapers off slowly, giving them plenty of time to go to roost. Otherwise you get that one chicken stuck at the feeder when the light goes out going, "I can't SEE!" Some of mine have had some long, lonely nights on the floor.
Ensure you have a covered run, so they can go outside without having to trudge through snow. Enough light comes in though the sides that it doesn't have to be clear.
Cold-related issues not only lower their spirits, but it also sinks egg production. Consider insulating their coop. A heat lamp works well warming the coop, but sometimes too well, making it hard for the chickens' immune systems to cope with moving continuously from a cold run to a very warm coop. You also need to ENSURE it can't start anything on fire. I choose to use one anyway.
If your choice breed or breeds tend to suffer from frostbite, try coating their combs daily with petroleum jelly, like Vaseline.
And definitely make sure that either their water doesn't freeze, or bring them fresh water enough that they always have some liquid water. I use a submerging heater in my five-gallon-bucket nipple waterer. Try the options and see what works.
Hope this was helpful.

 

[Igloo]

Make sure you have a light in the coop to boost winter egg production. Tip: have the extra light hours in the morning, rather than in the evening. That way, the light at the end of the day tapers off slowly, giving them plenty of time to go to roost. Otherwise you get that one chicken stuck at the feeder when the light goes out going, "I can't SEE!" Some of mine have had some long, lonely nights on the floor.
Ensure you have a covered run, so they can go outside without having to trudge through snow. Enough light comes in though the sides that it doesn't have to be clear.
Cold-related issues not only lower their spirits, but it also sinks egg production. Consider insulating their coop. A heat lamp works well warming the coop, but sometimes too well, making it hard for the chickens' immune systems to cope with moving continuously from a cold run to a very warm coop. You also need to ENSURE it can't start anything on fire. I choose to use one anyway.
If your choice breed or breeds tend to suffer from frostbite, try coating their combs daily with petroleum jelly, like Vaseline.
And definitely make sure that either their water doesn't freeze, or bring them fresh water enough that they always have some liquid water. I use a submerging heater in my five-gallon-bucket nipple waterer. Try the options and see what works.
Hope this was helpful.

Yes, this was very helpful thank you!

 

[Igloo]

Make sure you have a light in the coop to boost winter egg production. Tip: have the extra light hours in the morning, rather than in the evening. That way, the light at the end of the day tapers off slowly, giving them plenty of time to go to roost. Otherwise you get that one chicken stuck at the feeder when the light goes out going, "I can't SEE!" Some of mine have had some long, lonely nights on the floor.
Ensure you have a covered run, so they can go outside without having to trudge through snow. Enough light comes in though the sides that it doesn't have to be clear.
Cold-related issues not only lower their spirits, but it also sinks egg production. Consider insulating their coop. A heat lamp works well warming the coop, but sometimes too well, making it hard for the chickens' immune systems to cope with moving continuously from a cold run to a very warm coop. You also need to ENSURE it can't start anything on fire. I choose to use one anyway.
If your choice breed or breeds tend to suffer from frostbite, try coating their combs daily with petroleum jelly, like Vaseline.
And definitely make sure that either their water doesn't freeze, or bring them fresh water enough that they always have some liquid water. I use a submerging heater in my five-gallon-bucket nipple waterer. Try the options and see what works.
Hope this was helpful.

Ah--actually...

Why use hardware cloth instead of chicken wire? Wouldn't predators, (I get a good amount of raccoons around my area.) just chew through the cloth to get inside the coop? OR should I put hardware then the chicken wire or vise versa?

 

[Gallinarium]

Ah--actually...

Why use hardware cloth instead of chicken wire? Wouldn't predators, (I get a good amount of raccoons around my area.) just chew through the cloth to get inside the coop? OR should I put hardware then the chicken wire or vise versa?

Hardware cloth is strong metal fencing with small gaps. Almost no predators can rip or chew through it. It's the ultimate chicken safety. Chicken wire, on the other hand, is weak with large holes. Mustelids, mice, and rats can slip through, and some predators can bite or tear through. Bottom line: chicken wire is meant to keep chickens in, not predators out. If you need to use chicken wire, try the double fencing method. Use the chicken wire right up against some kind of stronger fencing. Unless the holes in the other stuff is smaller, you still might have problems with rodents. But it's better than nothing.

 

[Igloo]

Hardware cloth is strong metal fencing with small gaps. Almost no predators can rip or chew through it. It's the ultimate chicken safety. Chicken wire, on the other hand, is weak with large holes. Mustelids, mice, and rats can slip through, and some predators can bite or tear through. Bottom line: chicken wire is meant to keep chickens in, not predators out. If you need to use chicken wire, try the double fencing method. Use the chicken wire right up against some kind of stronger fencing. Unless the holes in the other stuff is smaller, you still might have problems with rodents. But it's better than nothing.

Oh okay. That makes sense, thank you!

 

[mamablair]

Build a bigger coop than you think you need. I'm now wanting a second for bantams. Lol

 

[featherhead007]

"Build it and they will grow" And they do grow up fast!