Bay Area BYCers!

[Trace349]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I shop at Western Farm Center weekly and love it there. I think I need something a bit bigger though. I looked on Craig's list and have a meeting with someone tomorrow night. I hope it goes well. I like the looks of the coops he has built before. They look sturdy and seem to have a lot of ventilation. I am also going to contact a name that was given to me by a BYC member. I have my fingers crossed that one of them will work out. My 11 chicks are a mixed bunch. I have a black copper marans, a light brahma, a buff orpington, a blue cochin, a partridge cochin, 2 easter eggers, a BLRW, a BPR, a SLW, and a precious little blind buff orpington, named Helena. They give me great joy. It is quite a sight hauling them between there brooder in the bathroom and there temporary run twice a day. They are starting to learn the routine, but is still a chore. So it goes. Once again thanks for all the input.

 

[wolftracks]

I know farmerlew has built coops for greyeyes (Linda) and Sewngrow (Karen) knows a lot of people who do work for her, but that might just be cages,

 

[OrpingtonManor]

When I'm up in Santa Rosa, we go to the Saturday Farmer's Market. There is a guy that sells coops there. He might have one big enough for 11 chickens, or maybe he would design and build one. Might be worth a look, since it's tomorrow.

 

[Trace349]

Great idea. I work tomorrow, but will send my daughter to get his information. Thanx

 

[AmCanyonStables]

Hi all. I hope someone can help. I bought a coop on-line about 2 months ago. Long story short, I never received it. Now I am desperate. I have (11) six week old chicks in my bathroom. I have a temporary run for them during the day, but I need to build a coop. I am not handy, so does anyone know of a carpenter who builds chicken coops? I live in Santa Rosa. I have the money back from the on-line purchase and even some of the supplies. Feeling a little foolish, but have been following this thread for several months and know that if anyone can help with good info it is the wonderfully helpful followers of Backyard Chickens.

Here is a recent post on craigslist Santa Rosa area for a shed that would need only a little modification (pop door, roost, a couple windows). I look at shed ads all the time, this is a good price. http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/grd/3065112565.html
And, you would have room for a few more!

 

[jewel1]

What a wonderful coop Julie. Definetely something I would enjoy building for fun. Good luck with you chicks. There are several breeders in our area that I am sure would hatch & sell chicks to you if you post what you want & ask what is available. In time you will find several of us around. I can think of 4 just in Modesto off the top of my head. There is also a group that meets every few months based out of the Delta area & we ride together for meetings.
Enjoy.it looks like you have a good star on that.

Thanks for the advice about local breeders. I wasn't sure where to go. Hopefully, I'll be done for awhile..but you never know!

 

[jewel1]

That is a very cute coop! I warn you though... you'll soon find chickens can become very addictive... before you know it you'll be looking to build a second coop to hold 4 or 6 or... 12 more chickens that you just had to have!

LOL.

I speak from experience...

Good luck with your new babies, it sounds like you'll have a colorful, fun bunch to start!

Yeah, I'm afraid of that chicken math I keep hearing about!

 

[OrpingtonManor]

Be careful of the hatching bug. That will cause more people to do chicken math than almost anything else. I, myself, thought I had escaped chicken math until I hatched. Then, 4 chickens became 18. Now, I'm down to 8, but it's been very hard.

 

[Trace349]

Here is a recent post on craigslist Santa Rosa area for a shed that would need only a little modification (pop door, roost, a couple windows). I look at shed ads all the time, this is a good price. http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/grd/3065112565.html
And, you would have room for a few more!

Wow, Just talked to the person selling this shed and I am going to go take a look. What a great deal and I think it would definitely work. Thanx for the info. And yes, there are a few more breeds that I have my eye on. The bigger the better!

 

[clio]

We love Western Farm Center

They have good prices, and their staff is knowledgeable and wil take the time to explain and talk about products if you have questions and/or need help, suggestions. My 8 original hens are from WFC and are healthy and doing well at 2 yo now. That's the only place I would go to buy hatchery chicks.

Kim,
I read your recent post on the other BYC area page. What a day (graduations, traffic) and night (neighborhood fires) you had !! The photos of your family are beautiful, thanks for sharing !
Have you every considered looking for property in Sonoma County? Lots w/ smaller acreages in Petaluma, Cotati, Penngrove, and maybe Sebastopol. Still quite country like in many areas. And not as hot as many areas in the East and South Bay and inland valleys.

Jeremy,
The broody hen from you quit being broody after a week of setting w/ eggs. We had placed 10 eggs with her. Any plans in the works for a "Before Back to School Meet Up?" perhaps in early August?