Brand newbie. Some questions.

[rikithemonk]

It sounds like your starting out right. 4 Chickens is a good starting number. Your also thinking about predator proofing the coop and run areas.

Some Tips.

When you design the perches, don't think bird cage dowel. Chickens like wide and flat perches so that they can keep their feet flat and sit on their toes. They use their feathers to keep them warm. A perch that they grip exposes the toes and can lead to frostbite. Most people use 2 X 4.

Don't forget to add oyster shells to the feed for calcium. It serves two functions. The ground up shell acts like grit and helps with digestion. It also thickens egg shells and protects against bacteria.

I like 5 gal buckets for nest boxes because they are easier to clean than wood. They say one nest box for up to three or four birds, depending on the breed.

Water can become a hassle, especially in a hot summer. Self filling dishes can make life easier. Some can hook right up to a garden hose, or you can do what I did and rig one up to a 5 gal bucket. I no longer have to refill the water every day. Filling the 5 Gal Bucket/tank lasts me almost a full week.

Add Blue coat and Gatorade to your animal first aid kit. Also learn what human foods are poisonous to chickens. (like potato skins, citrus, salt, avocado)

Here is a link to a nice compact coop with run that would be perfect for four chickens. Its an example, and belongs to another member.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/sunnychickens-dutch-hen-house-chicken-coop

Riki

 

[Rhoise]

I went to my local library web site and reserved a bunch of books on chickens, and read a ton, there is a bunch of info on this web site, and some awesome folks that can help you along the way. I have even seen a few coops made from horse stalls on the forums too.

You are so smart to be gathering info first!!!! Many get the chicks and then start planning, it's a whole lot smarter and cost effective to do your homework first, so consider yourself ahead of the game.

Sounds like you got some great options for space, which is a huge consideration. I thought I could pop mine into a tiny little prefab chicken coop tractor and realized very quickly that wasn't gonna work for 5 large breed hens........

We got chickens of our own(I had them as a kid)for the first time this past spring, the day after Easter.....(5) day old layer breed chicks. They layed their first egg on August 4th......My favorites are the Golden sex linked hens, we aquired them a few weeks later, as we thought a few of our pullets were possibly baby roosters.....these "sex links"were guaranteed to be hens(meaning the hen and roo chicks are different colors and can be "sexed" at birth), and lay awesome jumbo sized brown eggs daily.

All chickens have their ups and downs, even different strains of the same type or breed can have very different characteristics, they have yet to come up with a flawless breed that does everything.Lots of decisions for you to make, and so much to think about like what size birds do I want? Is egg color, size, and frequency a big factor?, Will they be dual purpose birds, or pets that make you breakfast?

Welcome, and I hope you enjoy your "Chicken Eggsperience" as much as I have so far!!

 

[Angelpoo]

Sadly my favorite chicken was eaten by a bear... But it dug a hole through the side if the chicken coop while I was in school... Attacked by a dog in the own... Dog jumped the 5 foot fence... But I'm usually home when they are outside... Just in case. But they always put themselves to bed for me... Also they lay better when the nesting boxrs are raised from the ground

 

[Green Lantern]

I used to use a heat lamp in my hen house until a neighbors barn burned down when one of her animals knocked it down and it lit the hay on fire... lost many animals that night! My hen house is insulated now and I use one of those electric bases that you put under the metal waterers.
The point made about reading up before investing in stuff is a really good one! I can't tell you how many things I have had to undo, redo, revise over the years as I read more about keeping my birds. Money and time wasted! This is one of the best sites out there for us chicken owners. It is great being able to share our questions, concerns, successes and knowledge with each other.