Hello all -
I don't have any chickens yet, because I am trying to do as much research as possible first! I live in Millis (not too far from Mendon/ Millville, but closer to Franklin, Medway, Westwood).
For someone just starting out, what are people's thoughts on buying a coop - from some place like Tractor Supply - vs. building one?
I am also wondering about which breeds people recommend. I am looking for good layers, who are friendly and cold tolerant. My son is 4.5, so I want a breed (or breeds) that will tolerate - dare I say, enjoy - the company of a child.
I have read good things about Orpingtons, and I love the look of the Swedish Flower Hen. I also read an interesting article on the Basque and the Dominique - does anyone have experience with either of those? Recommendations for breeds that may better suit my needs?
I would love to be in touch with anyone nearby!
Thanks in advance
) and I get 4-6 eggs a day! They will slow down in winter, but that's normal. They are very heat and cold tolerant. My chickens will free range in 10 degree weather. They LOVE being outside and eat a ton of ticks. If you are a beginner, get all buffs. You will NOT regret it.
I meant to respond to this yesterday, I apologize!
When we added new chicks to our existing adult flock last spring I was SUPER stressed out about how to go about it. The solution that we came up with worked beautifully, and I will definitely do it the same way moving forward.
My boyfriend built a small chicken tractor that went into the run. It was big enough to house the pullets, a food bowl, water bowl, and gave them enough room to walk around freely. As they weren't familiar with roosting yet, we just used a rubbermaid container with a half circle doorway cut out of it at night. It just gave them a place to sleep that was enclosed and out of the elements.
It worked great because the chicks were safe inside the predator proof run, and safe from the big girls in the run. All of the birds could see each other and get acclimated to the others, but the hens couldn't get pushy with the little ones. I'd say we kept the pullets in that setup for 10 days or so and then started opening up the tractor to the run so they could mingle.
Here's a pic of what he made. The Rubbermaid container isn't in there, but you get the idea. Hope this helps!
Very nice like the design. I may have to build one myself. The only thing I would suggest you add, is a perlin, a bar connecting the hoops to add strength and keep them evenly spaced. That is what they do for tunnel/hoop greenhouses. Got this pic on the internet. It gives you the idea but I would have put the bar inside the hoop rather than on top. Sorry I dont know how to make pic smallerOh how cool. That is definitely an option. We were just going to divide up the run but this is super cute. My husband was talking about making a chicken tractor. I will show him this when he gets home from work. Thanks for sharing. I love the domed shape or what else would you call that. Anyway it's great. I love it
I meant to respond to this yesterday, I apologize!
When we added new chicks to our existing adult flock last spring I was SUPER stressed out about how to go about it. The solution that we came up with worked beautifully, and I will definitely do it the same way moving forward.
My boyfriend built a small chicken tractor that went into the run. It was big enough to house the pullets, a food bowl, water bowl, and gave them enough room to walk around freely. As they weren't familiar with roosting yet, we just used a rubbermaid container with a half circle doorway cut out of it at night. It just gave them a place to sleep that was enclosed and out of the elements.
It worked great because the chicks were safe inside the predator proof run, and safe from the big girls in the run. All of the birds could see each other and get acclimated to the others, but the hens couldn't get pushy with the little ones. I'd say we kept the pullets in that setup for 10 days or so and then started opening up the tractor to the run so they could mingle.
Here's a pic of what he made. The Rubbermaid container isn't in there, but you get the idea. Hope this helps!
Welcome
WelcomeI am in Upton so very close to you. This is my first year with chickens and I am loving them. They are currently watching me type now as they are still little chicks and are in my study in a dog crate brooder. I have 9 but pretty certain at least one is a cockerel. Which breeds are you considering? I found it a little difficult to find breeders but I found two that have really been great. So if you are interested in any of the breeds I have I could point you in the right direction. I don't know how "rare" my breeds are but I have a few interesting ones I think. I have cream legbar, swedish flower, french black copper maran along with some more common breeds like Light brahma, welsummer, rocks in three varieties (silver penciled, buff and two barred).
How do you plan to house your chickens? You should go to the coop pages and check all the different types out. I spent months looking over everything before I came up with a coop plan. I have a thread chronicling my adventure building it as I have never picked up a power tool in my life before this. Let me know if you need help on that issue also. If you wanted chicks through a feed store instead of breeder Im pretty sure the Mane Place in Uxbridge is getting chicks very soon and may already have some. Good luck and keep us posted!
I always feel a bit isolated when it comes to farming ventures, since it seems I'm right in the middle of the no-man's land of the southern piece of central MA. I definitely plan on making a coop bigger than I think I'll need, @Lozuufy! I'm thinking of making two, actually, one for free range hens and another for pastured roosters to eat. We'll see.
