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JustDadWithChickens

Songster
May 26, 2018
129
577
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Lafayette, La
Hey all!

My name is Paul and I am brand new to this whole adventure. Basically my husband and I are moving to our first home June 30th (Lafayette, LA) and in the next 5-10 years we want to start a homestead. However, as things go, we can't afford to buy a huge house with 15+ acres just yet. So instead we bought a beautiful starter home that we are excited to start the next chapter of our lives.

I want bees, chickens, a milk cow, some pigs, crops, etc...

For now though, I just want some chickens! So figured, I would join this wonderful community to gather as much information as I can, before the move, and make sure it's even possible to start this adventure. If it's not, I will be sad, but will continue to gather information until we can start being true chicken owners.

Currently we will be living in a suburban area. The plot is about 10k sqft, with a 2.5k sqft back yard.

I looked into the ordinance and it looks like there is a 25 ft law from any building used for sleeping, dining, living or working.

There is a perfect spot in the corner of our yard, that is about 28 feet from any other building (once we move i'll have to get exact measurements to make sure).

I attached two images of the backyard and where I think I would place the chicken coop!

Hopefully my plans arn't spoiled before they begin.

We plan on simply just having egg laying chickens for now. From what I read silkies are good for egg laying in suburban areas as they are quiet and don't need much room.

And that is as far as my research has gone for now! I can't wait to meet all you wonderful people and learn as much as possible!

Thanks,
Paul

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Welcome! So happy to have you join the family. The location looks ok to me, just watch how water runs when it rains before building there, and get all of your utility lines marked if you plan to dig. I also see that you don't have a ton of shade from your trees, but maybe they aren't filled out in the pic, so make sure they will get some relief from the sun.

That's about all I can think of off the top of my head. I'm excited for you and wish you the best of luck starting your new flock. I've been at it for 2 years and I can't imagine not having my girls now.
 
image.jpeg image.jpeg :frow
PaulPike said:
Hey all!

My name is Paul and I am brand new to this whole adventure. Basically my husband and I are moving to our first home June 30th (Lafayette, LA) and in the next 5-10 years we want to start a homestead. However, as things go, we can't afford to buy a huge house with 15+ acres just yet. So instead we bought a beautiful starter home that we are excited to start the next chapter of our lives.

I want bees, chickens, a milk cow, some pigs, crops, etc...

For now though, I just want some chickens! So figured, I would join this wonderful community to gather as much information as I can, before the move, and make sure it's even possible to start this adventure. If it's not, I will be sad, but will continue to gather information until we can start being true chicken owners.

Currently we will be living in a suburban area. The plot is about 10k sqft, with a 2.5k sqft back yard.

I looked into the ordinance and it looks like there is a 25 ft law from any building used for sleeping, dining, living or working.

There is a perfect spot in the corner of our yard, that is about 28 feet from any other building (once we move i'll have to get exact measurements to make sure).

I attached two images of the backyard and where I think I would place the chicken coop!

Hopefully my plans arn't spoiled before they begin.

We plan on simply just having egg laying chickens for now. From what I read silkies are good for egg laying in suburban areas as they are quiet and don't need much room.

And that is as far as my research has gone for now! I can't wait to meet all you wonderful people and learn as much as possible!

Thanks,
Paul

View attachment 1405813 View attachment 1405815
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Hi Paul! I used to live in Layfayette. Bless your heart. I hope they are more hospitable to y'all than they were to me.
I'm new to all this chicken stuff! We bought a small 31/2 acre farm last May, so I'm just getting started with all the farming! We planted our garden this week. Today my 5 week old chicks came outside for the first time! Lot's going on here.
Where are you moving from?
 
Welcome and nice yard. Do your research, ask questions, people here are very helpful.
I would recommend 4 birds. And get start with gentle breeds like silkies, orphingtons or australorps. An Easter egger is always fun.
Build or get a good coop, don't go with a minimum size. Give them room. Have a nice secure run and you can probably let them free range your back yard depending on your intentions.
 
I live in OK, and have Orpingtons. Very nice hens! They don't do very well with heat, though. I had to move my coop under heavy tree shade, and it helped them out a lot. I add ice to their drinking water and a wading pool with frozen water bottles when the heat gets to 95 and above. Chickens with less feathers do better with heat. Also mosquito control will be important in the deep south. They carry fowl pox. Mine got it last year.
 
PaulPike said:
Thanks! Going to have to really check out the spot for a few days before I do anything. Make sure there is plenty of shade like you said. I heard Louisiana gets hot! Currently live in Boston, so this is going to be interesting.
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yeah it gets hot lol but don't worry sometimes the hurricanes will keep your mind off it
 

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