We have been much slower than planned getting our coop built. But we still plan to finish it and get our chickies. I called the people who raise the dominiques to let them know I still want them and they promised to hold them for me. Since I know nothing about building I have been reading like crazy and have bought a couple of chicken books. I have a friend in the neighborhood who has lost quite a few of her chickens to foxes lately. I am going to save up to try and buy electric netting. We are planning on a movable coop that will keep all the critters out, but from reading I know that can be tricky.I am sure we will learn as we go. But I hate to think of the chickens suffering for our mistakes.
Yes, I have looked at the breed information on this site. I am wondering if dominiques are a loud breed...lol, I was reading that some breeds are quieter than others, but couldn't find out if dominiques are loud or quiet. I don't think they would bother the neighbors as they are at least a thousand feet away.....what do you think? I would love to have a rooster, but I'm not sure if my hubbie will be in line with that, lol. Not sure he wants to be up every morning at the crack of dawn (or before). I also read that geese might help protect against hawks, but I'm not sure about going that route either.
I am going today to get some pine shavings and sweet pdz....I have a small feeder and waterer. I went with less expensive until I am sure of what I may want after seeing how they work. My friend is going to show me how to clip wings in case that is something I need to do. I am going to check with the farm I am buying from to see what they have been feeding. I will do that just before I pick the pullets up. I know they have some at different ages so I'm not sure about the feed. And then I will be able to see their setup and maybe pick up some pointers from them.
Thanks everyone for the friendly welcome.
Vickie
Laying mash is good as long as your pullets are old enough to lay. If there younger then 8 weeks you want them to eat a starter feed, 8-18 weeks grower feed 18 weeks and up laying feed.
I had 4 generations here today for the coop raising! Although the 88 yo did not stay very long, can you blame him? It is mostly finished and hopefully by next weekend will be completed and I can start gathering chickens in. I can't wait! I'm sure it will be a work in progress for some time because everytime I made a suggestion (not often, I'm a fast learner) my husband said "we don't need that" or "that will never happen". The two comments I made were both about predators and he just doesn't think anything can get into this coop. I see cracks so we will see how it goes. That is why I don' t plan on too many chickens at first.....in case it is not as much like Fort Knox as he thinks, lol. He may be right, but I am wondering.
It is 4'X6' and looks much bigger than I expected inside. It is on porch posts, 4"X4". It likely will be here when I am not. Maybe not the sheets of plywood, but I am sure if that doesn't last we can put more on this frame.