BYC newb.

Hi everyone, I am new to this site, (just joined tonight) and getting my first chickens and building my first coop! I was suggested to get Sussex Speckled, since their personality is better than the Rhode Island Reds my Dad had when I grew up. I originally wanted RIRs, but think the Speckled will be better. Like I said before, this is my first chickens I had myself, I would be having them for eggs/pets. Does anyone know what I should do for my first coop? What's the best bedding? Are heat lamps a good idea for Winter? I live in the Piedmont of NC, 20 mins from Charlotte, in the country. It also has to be predator safe, because we have a lot of them here. An have a roof, since we have Owls and Hawks. Plus, can't have a way for predators to dig into the coop.

 

Thank you for the reply and info! At Cynthia12... I just learned about rooster no crow collars, on mypetchicken.com they are just fabric and mesh, they are worn like regular collars, (even come with bow ties!) that allow enough air for them to breathe, but not enough for a full on crow. They eventually become no louder than a hen, is what they claim. They even have a video up of it in use. Before and after. From what I can tell, they are humane. They don't harm the animal. Maybe you can try it! I was also suggested Silkies, just may get some, too, they look too **** cuddly not to! Lol. I live in the country, bout 20 mins from Charlotte, NC. We get some bad winters here. I may have to invest in a lamp. Can you, or anyone, suggest how I go about it, since I didn't plan for electricity going to the coop? Would an extension cord help, or just get in the way?? Cedar shavings, how much to cover a coop? Sounds like alot.. I have a walmart here that sells them by the pet supply section in bags. Ironically in the winter.... If you can imagine! Teila.. Thank You! What would you suggest for heat, then? My area gets a lot of snow and has been known to reach the teens and below in bad weather.. One winter it got down to 10* F at night! I wouldn't want my babies to freeze, would rather put them inside for the night, in the bathroom! (Call me crazy, but I love animals that much, I've done stranger things, lol). CT... Hello back and thank you! DrumstickDiva and LauraBrown.. Thank you to you, too! NFC.. my Dad had RIR and that's what my bf wants, too, Idk.. My Dad's chickens were tame, none bothered anyone, only the chick that ended up being a Rooster was mean, to everyone but me! I gave him to my Dad because he had a coop, I didn't. Plus he already said yes, I was in HS at the time, (early 30's now), and lived in the burbs, it was Animal Science class, we were watching chicks hatch, and then the teacher laid the guilt trip on us, said if we don't buy them ($2 or $3 each, can't remember exact price), they will be dinner birds.. of course none of us would let that happen to the wet fuzz balls, so we ended up buying all of them. I brought home a mostly black chick with a yellow butt (under tail) and I think white wing tips.. anyway, I was the only person the rooster would let in the coop without attacking! My Dad, (who I didn't live with), told me he eventually gave him to my aunt, for her coop.. I can only hope.. NickyKnack, Thank You! Love the pic, very cool! How do you personalize pics? Do you do it here or another website?? I do plan to stick around as the excitement and anticipation builds! Q. What is the best places to get healthy birds? I live near a Tractor Supply and a Southern States, both get chicks every Spring. Only problem, TSC only has Straight Run, I am only interested in Hens as I don't want to breed. An is it true that if you don't have a Rooster, that a hen will become one??