Chicken newbie from So Cal

[TJsGoldenGirls]

Hello all. I hope to get to know some of you and heed to your advice about the upcoming members of our family "The Golden Girls". 'Dorothy'- Barred Rock, 'Rose'- Buff Orpington and 'Blanch'- Rhode Island Red, will be starting a new life with us as a tiny backyard flock. We only know what we've read about keeping chickens, and so I have many questions. I have already poked around here enough to steal amazing ideas on PVC feeders suitable for such a small amount is birds. I have also taken a liking to allthe suggestions here on litter. We've dug out and lates down about 4" of gravel for drainage under our coop, which was covered by 3.5" of washed construction sand. We have a very small coop (compaired to many of you). The actual indoor coop part is 10.5 sq ft (I've read you need 3-4' per bird), the area does not include the nesting boxes. The outdoor run of the coop is 32 sq ft (again, unread you need 10 sq ft per bird). I hope it is enough for them to be happy and healthy. They will get an open fenced in part of the yard about 65'x 5' to range in the afternoons (I'm sure I'll let them out in the larger backyard a time or two as well). I'm hoping to find information on whether I should put food and water inside the coop or just in the run, and althought our coop is vet secured, with heavy wire all around and on the floor, do I shut the coop door behind them at night? If so, I'd feel bad not having food or water for them, however it's a tight space. Well, I hope someone has read this and if you have any advice, please feel free to lend it. Take care.

 

[drumstick diva]

I think when they roost at night they aren't likely to be scrounging around to eat or drink.

 

[TJsGoldenGirls]

I had that thought too. Perhaps just a waterer inside the coop, if the weather gets bad and yet spend a lot of time inside, I can always put some food in there. I've got vertical PVC feeders so they are relatively space saving. Ahh, I'll just har to see what the girls want. Thanks for your thoughts, I tend to agree.

 

[redsoxs]

Greetings from Kansas, TJsGoldenGirls, and

! Great to have you aboard! Drumstick is right - the chickens will enter the coop just prior to dark and will sleep through the night without food or water just fine. To me, food & water in the coop is a hassle with the spillage, etc. Plus, as mentioned they won't go to it in the dark. So, I'd leave it in the run and close them up tight for night in the coop - you and your birds will sleep better knowing they are secure! Good luck and enjoy your poultry journey!

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

Welcome to BYC!!

So very glad you joined us!!

 

[Harlowsmom]

Welcome!!!!

You will find so much amazing advice on here!! Glad to have you aboard !

 

[1muttsfan]

Hi and welcome to BYC from northern Michigan

If your run is VERY secure, you can leave the pop door open at night and let them come and go as they wish

 

[TJsGoldenGirls]

Well, the coop is 1/4" galvinized hardwearcloth over Fir hardwood. The floor is also wire covered over with 3.5" of washed sand. All of this is on a bed of 4" gravel (for drainage, but I'd imagine it'd make it tough for anything to dig under as well). The roost is in the coop, but the food/water is in the run. So, I'm not sure if this is secure enough, but I'd like to think so, and to give them more room if they want it. Though I've been told that at night they like to bundle up and sleep, but I'd they want up and out before I can get out there, having the pop open would be good. Thanks for your thoughts.