Eggs?

[Northern Wind]

Newbie!
I took delivery of our new flock yesterday, 10 Red Star or Red Sex link 20 week old hens. They are in a garden shed size 8' x 12' with 7' ceilings, straw on the floor, stacked milk crates laying on there sides with plastic 2 gallon pails inside for laying boxes. I put some large limbs on the walls for perches and the eves are open as well as screened windows.
Questions,
1, does this sound suitable for a hen house/coop?
2, how soon can we let them out during the day?
3, do they need a fenced yard we have 20 acres of land, 15 acres bush and 5 cleared.
4, when can we expect our first eggs, and what can we do to make them happy enough to lay eggs?
5, we are feeding a 15% layer mix from our local feed mill, do they need anything else with it?
6, the shed is insulated with 2" of styrofoam and chip board should we have a fan in hot weather and do we need heat in winter! (we are located in central/eastern Ontario Ca.)
any other advice would be great!
Thanks kindly!
Steve

 

[Northern Wind]

Quote:
Just thought I would try again for some feedback.

 

[dewey]

Hi Steve, you might also try posting in the coop design forum.
Opinions will vary on free ranging or not and what's an ok size coop and run, or lack thereof, lol.
I won't free range anymore so I'd want an enclosed fenced area for them, as big as possible.
They're pretty happy and healthy with the basics of quality layer feed, water, grit, good ventilation, fresh air and sunlight, clean quarters, and some space to move around.
They could start laying when they're settled in, depending on what they've been being fed before you got them. Some don't lay until they're a bit older, though.
Hopefully someone will come along that knows your weather and what's needed for heating or cooling.

 

[Northern Wind]

Thanks for replying! I will post in the coop design form as well. Couple of points you mentioned, you won't free range? is this because of a space issue or a bad experience? and secondly what is grit? is this something I should be giving them or is this just sand and gravel they pick up?

Steve

 

[Celtic Chick]

Hello, Steve! Glad to have you.
Ok, here we go. And remember this is just one person's suggestions. There are plenty of other good ones out there too.
Lots of valuable info on Tractor Supply's website:
http://www.tractorsupply.com/conten.../livestock_care_raising_poultry_expert_advice

A book called Storey's Guide to Chickens is great too. $12.71 at Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Storeys-Guide...=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1302384268&sr=1-1

1) Hay is not ideal for scattering on the floor. It holds in moisture which is very bad for chickens. I go with pine shavings, NOT cedar. Cedar is toxic to chickens.
Stacked milkcrates are unstable, IMO. If they fall, the girls will not use them again. They'll be too scared. Look for something that you can mount on the wall would be better. Nest boxes are usually around 12"x12"x12" or so.
2) You can let them out after they have spent a night or two in their coop so they know where "home" is, where they should be sleeping.
3) A fenced in yard is up to you. It sounds like you have plenty of room, but keep predators in mind. Chickens have tons! The neighbor's dogs or cats, hawks, owls, coyotes, raccoons, the list goes on & on. It depends on you & your investment in the chickens.
4) You should be expecting eggs any day now from sex-link hybrids. They are egg machines. A few at first, but then watch out. You could get one a day from each of them. Don't worry about pleasing them to lay, because they will, but trying to please them will make them very appreciative, nevertheless. Keeping a clean coop & run, and keeping the feed & water dispensers full & clean are good ways to please them. And make sure they have a constant supply of oyster shell calcium & grit, both of which can be obtained from your local feed store.
5) Oyster-shell calcium & grit are essential for all laying chickens. They need the grit to grind up their food, since they have no teeth. And oyster shell is for the formation of strong egg shells. You can also give them some scratch grains for a treat, but not too much. You don't want them filling up on it. Certain table scrap treats are ok, but remember they are treats. Only give them enough that they can devour in a few minutes. They should get most of what they need in their layer ration and in what they eat if you let them free-range.
6) Ventilation inside a coop is very important. It keeps the build-up of humidity & ammonia fumes to a minimum, which can cause serious problems in chickens. They are very susceptible to respiratory diseases. An exhaust fan, preferrably one with a thermostat, would be ideal. A coop should always be clean and dry, and well ventilated but not drafty.
A heat source is up to you and what kind of birds you have. I have some red production hybrids in SE Wis. & they are pretty hardy, but not nearly as much so as some of the heavier breeds. I have a 8" x 8" shed for a coop, and I run 2 250W heat bulbs in the winter. If you are having a mild stretch, you can always turn one off. But make sure you get the red bulbs. White bulbs are not as good for them.
Hope this helps!
For treats, most fruit & veggie scraps are ok except for any type of raw bean or raw potato peelings. Those are toxic to chickens. And never give them anything moldy. It will make them sick.
They love bread, oatmeal, bananas, greens, berries & worms. Lots of other stuff too.

 

[dewey]

You're welcome.

Yes, grit is just sand and gravel bits they pick up. If they have free access to that then extra grit isn't needed. Mine are in pen with wire on the floor with dirt on top of that wire, so they don't need extra grit because they get a few hefty shovel fulls of fresh dirt to scratch in each week, but grit's offered anyway. Won't hurt. They eat greens and other things besides the layer so I want to be sure they have enough. I free ranged for many years, then years ago decided I'd prefer to have them as safe as possible from predators in a pen as secure as I could make it for them.

 

[DancingHen]

I have 14 laying hans in a 10x12 shed type coop, and they are very happy. So I think 8x12 for 10 hens is fine. If the crates you set out for nest boxes are unstable just put them in one row on the floor. You only need 3 or 4 nest boxes for ten hens. My girls have a nice set of wooden nest boxes, but still prefer the plastic dog carriers we gave them at first. And one hen prefers the top of the bag of pine shavings.

I think your girls will be thrilled to free range on 20 acres, but you can also add a run attached to their house for times when you may decide you want to keep them close to home....for whatever reason. A lot of people recommend at least 10 square feet per bird in the outside run. I would also recommend some granite chicken grit in a little dish. Also, the layer feed should meet their needs fine, and if you do allow them to free range they will find all the additional food they need.

Have fun with your girtls! You will be a pro before you know it.

 

[tuesdays chicks]

freeranging is a matter of choice it all depends on if you don't mind replacing your flock, I live in a pretty built up area with a fenced yard, my birds only go into the yard the days I'm off work, otherwise they are kept in a secure run, and even that wasn't secure when 1 of my chickens stick his head through the wire defending the rest of the flock from the attacking hawk.