Chicken Newbie - I need help!

[amberkempter]

If your child buys live animals without parental permission, and you aren't prepared to raise said animals, you can always take them back to the store and explain what happened. I'm sure they'd understand. No need to give in and saddle yourself with a years-long commitment just because of a child's impulse... Just sayin'.

She and her friends hid them for about 10 days before we knew about them and then we figured it was too late to take them back. We've gotten used to the idea of having them, we just have no idea the best way to take care of them for the long term!

 

[K0k0shka]

She and her friends hid them for about 10 days before we knew about them and then we figured it was too late to take them back. We've gotten used to the idea of having them, we just have no idea the best way to take care of them for the long term!

You said you let your other teenager convince you to impulse-buy ducklings, too, so there seems to be a lot of impulsivity going on around here, which is risky when it comes to living beings (that demand attention, time, space and money). Way too many unwanted animals out there acquired on impulse that ended up too much to handle long term. I hope everything works out for you, but be careful with impulsive decisions that involve living things. This website has a lot of very useful information, which is divided conveniently by category. Spend some time reading and educating yourself, and be prepared to act quickly because those chicks and ducks are going to need to go outside soon and have adequate housing. Depending on where you live and what your climate is like, this may not be the best time of the year to be getting baby poultry, so keep that in mind, too.

 

[amberkempter]

You said you let your other teenager convince you to impulse-buy ducklings, too, so there seems to be a lot of impulsivity going on around here, which is risky when it comes to living beings (that demand attention, time, space and money). Way too many unwanted animals out there acquired on impulse that ended up too much to handle long term. I hope everything works out for you, but be careful with impulsive decisions that involve living things. This website has a lot of very useful information, which is divided conveniently by category. Spend some time reading and educating yourself, and be prepared to act quickly because those chicks and ducks are going to need to go outside soon and have adequate housing. Depending on where you live and what your climate is like, this may not be the best time of the year to be getting baby poultry, so keep that in mind, too.

I would never abandon any animal that I decided to take care of. I have spent hours doing research on both the chickens and ducks. I just thought someone could give me some specific ideas for the chicken coop. We already have a plan for the housing for the ducks. Thanks though.

 

[K0k0shka]

I would never abandon any animal that I decided to take care of. I have spent hours doing research on both the chickens and ducks. I just thought someone could give me some specific ideas for the chicken coop. We already have a plan for the housing for the ducks. Thanks though.

Here are some coop ideas:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/categories/medium-coops.19/

Advice most commonly given to new chicken owners:

• Don't buy a prefab coop. They are too small, poorly built, and you'll regret it later.
• Better to build your own, repurpose a shed, find a used one, etc.
• Size: per chicken, the coop needs to allow 4 square feet of floor space, 1 foot of roost length, and 1 square foot of all-year, all-weather, permanently open ventilation (yes even in winter) that's above the chickens' heads when roosting. Open more ventilation for the summer (windows). The run needs to allow 10 or more square feet per chicken.
• Chickens are food. Lots of wildlife loves eating chicken. Predator proof your coop and run, and don't use chicken wire - predators can chew through it. Welded wire or hardware cloth is best.
• Don't free range, or if you do, prepare that you'll lose chickens and don't get mad at the wildlife for it. That's just nature. If you want them alive, keep them in a protected run (hawks can swoop down even if you are out with them).
• 1 nesting box per 3-4 chickens. They'll all probably use the same one anyway.
• Don't keep the chickens and ducks together if you end up having a drake (male duck). Drakes can kill chickens if they try to mate them (and they will try).
• Have a plan for what to do with any roosters. You don't have enough chickens to be able to keep a rooster. The hens will get over-mated. It's hard to find homes for roosters, especially if you don't want them to be eaten. They are delicious though, so look into processing. Lots of videos on youtube.

Good luck!

 

[Liz Birdlover]

If your child buys live animals without parental permission, and you aren't prepared to raise said animals, you can always take them back to the store and explain what happened. I'm sure they'd understand. No need to give in and saddle yourself with a years-long commitment just because of a child's impulse... Just sayin'.

Agree...being responsible for the well being of living creatures is a commitment & shouldn't be done on whim or impulse. Much research should've been done ahead of time, especially with consideration to a safe, predator proof shelter for them to live in.
This can turn out out to be the most rewarding, or the most heartbreaking experience, it can go either way, depending upon the commitment & caring level for these little lives.

I have constant foxes, hawks, owls, raccoons & coyote here, so a strong shed type structure with predator proof pens, so nothing can dig, chew or fly in to kill my flock, is a MUST.
Either build what you need as a family project, or have it built, it can be a great opportunity to teach valuable skills...no laziness allowed either, this is a daily commitment from now on...water, feed, good health, shelter, daily egg collection & poop scoop under perches, this is as much importance as other chores of doing dishes, laundry & cleaning house. Paint all surfaces inside coop so you don't have the horrible blood sucking mites living in there. You need to make a decision now, either do it right, or don't do it at all. Do the best you can for any animal you bring into your life. When you do, the rewards will be amazing. ❤

 

[amberkempter]

Agree...being responsible for the well being of living creatures is a commitment & shouldn't be done on whim or impulse. Much research should've been done ahead of time, especially with consideration to a safe, predator proof shelter for them to live in.
This can turn out out to be the most rewarding, or the most heartbreaking experience, it can go either way, depending upon the commitment & caring level for these little lives.

I have constant foxes, hawks, owls, raccoons & coyote here, so a strong shed type structure with predator proof pens, so nothing can dig, chew or fly in to kill my flock, is a MUST.
Either build what you need as a family project, or have it built, it can be a great opportunity to teach valuable skills...no laziness allowed either, this is a daily commitment from now on...water, feed, good health, shelter, daily egg collection & poop scoop under perches, this is as much importance as other chores of doing dishes, laundry & cleaning house. Paint all surfaces inside coop so you don't have the horrible blood sucking mites living in there. You need to make a decision now, either do it right, or don't do it at all. Do the best you can for any animal you bring into your life. When you do, the rewards will be amazing. ❤

We have actually discussed having ducks for years. I am recently divorced and my exhusband was not on board with the idea. It's something I've always wanted to do, so while it was kind of a spur of the moment decision -- I definitely knew quite a bit of information about having ducks as pets before taking the ducklings home. I can promise you that these little guys are absolutely adored in our house and are part of the family. They are very well taken care of! The kids (I have 3) have all pitched in and have done an amazing job with helping take care of them. We joke all the time about how spoiled they are!

I didn't choose to purchase the chickens, but am committed to them and have no plans on abandoning them or not taking care of them. I appreciate all the help with the coop ideas. It definitely helps!

 

[Percheron chick]

If your child buys live animals without parental permission, and you aren't prepared to raise said animals, you can always take them back to the store and explain what happened. I'm sure they'd understand. No need to give in and saddle yourself with a years-long commitment just because of a child's impulse... Just sayin'.

No feed store is going to let you return chicks due to biosecurity concerns.

 

[K0k0shka]

No feed store is going to let you return chicks due to biosecurity concerns.

That's not true. Some will let you return them, though it may depend on the store or be up to the manager's discretion. Now, what happens to them after they are returned, is a whole other question, and it may not be at odds with their biosecurity precautions...

 

[dreamofwinter]

You're had lots of good advice already on specific requirements, so I won't repeat any of it. I do want to mention that I have a happy integrated flock of chickens and ducks. The chickens have their own coop - dry, elevated, with roosts etc - and the ducks have a nice dog house with straw, shavings, and PDZ on the floor. Both houses open out into a shared run which we built out of cattle panels (hoop coop), and during the day they free range together. So far the only conflict we've had is that the ducks cannot see clean water without immediately scooping up a billful of mud to mix in, so we keep one small tub for duck water (deep enough for them to wash out their eyes/nostrils) and inside the chicken coop, a "clean" hanging waterer for the chickens if they aren't in the mood for mud. They almost always choose the muddy dish though!
Good luck with your little flock - sounds like a nice size.

 

[saysfaa]

These are the two best designs that I know of for 4 chickens.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-little-monitor-coop.76275/

And

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/8-x-12-woods-coop-design-plan.1221551/

The Woods' style might be bigger than you need - but it allows adequate space even if the chickens don't go out (snow or ice storms, for example). There are smaller Woods' plans here but this size uses 8' lumber efficiently.

The Little Monitor style is big enough only if they can go out to a run or to free range for at least much of at least most days.