First Time Chicken Owner

[mrrr0809]

This will be our family's first venture into chickens for the purpose of egg laying and entertaining children/teaching them responsibility. I've ordered a large shed 12x28 and will have a solid wall built to separate the coop making it 6x12. We've put two windows, an access door, and a door to allow access to the run. I'll be running electric there to allow for productive egg laying during time periods of little daylight. I plan on using a rubberized coating on the floor and then adding a few inches of sand which I can rake out and turn regularly. The chicks should be arriving the middle of May, and I will be making a brooder before they arrive to keep them in until 8 weeks of age. We're only starting with 10 chicks and will see how the year goes. They will hopefully be all hens and will be a variety of Ameraucanas, Barred Plymouth Rock, and Buff Orpingtons. I tried to find breeds that were mild mannered and kid friendly but also good egg layers. Any suggestions or flaws that you see in my potential set up? I've researched this for months on end since I want things done right the first time.

 

[PapaChaz]

welcome aboard!

sounds like you've got things well thought out. one thing I see right off though. If you're getting them in the middle of may, it will already be warming up. Even at that, you wouldn't need to keep them in the brooder for 8 weeks. You'll see how fast they grow and become feathered out, and with it being middle of may, you'll be able to take the heat away most likely in 4 weeks, maybe less.

post pics! we love pics around here

 

[mrrr0809]

welcome aboard!

sounds like you've got things well thought out. one thing I see right off though. If you're getting them in the middle of may, it will already be warming up. Even at that, you wouldn't need to keep them in the brooder for 8 weeks. You'll see how fast they grow and become feathered out, and with it being middle of may, you'll be able to take the heat away most likely in 4 weeks, maybe less.

post pics! we love pics around here 

Thanks for the feedback! The only reason why I am potentially doing 8 weeks is just to give myself enough time to make sure everything is squared away in the coop and while building the run. One thing I am a little appreHENsive about, is the size to bird ratio. 6x12 with only 10 chickens. I know they are able to stay warm in the winters here in the Northeast via body heat, but will they be able to generate enough heat in this size coop?

 

[Mahlzeit]

They really don't need to rely on each other for heat in winter. The feathers on their own body are plenty to keep them warm. As long as you don't have any drafts blowing directly across them you should be fine. I had 2 hens and a rooster in a coop on there own through this past winter and it was a mighty cold one too and they made it just fine.

 

[PapaChaz]

yeah as long as they don't have a breeze/draft strong enough to rustle their feathers, they'll fluff up like the birds in the trees do and stay warm.

I do understand wanting to make sure you have everything squared away, but if you leave them too long, after they get too big, in a space too cramped, they'll get crotchety quickly and peck at each other and beat each other up. Best advice I can think is you have plenty of time between now, the time they get to you and get big enough, to get the run finished. Especially since you are making your coop in an already built building. It will go quicker than you think. good luck, and like I said, don't forget the pics!

 

[Hokum Coco]

This will be our family's first venture into chickens for the purpose of egg laying

Welcome aboard Back yard buddy.
Sounds like you are off to a good start and you already have advantages over seat of your pants chicken owners.
You will probably find that you made a lot of good decisions in your layout. Then like most of us when it comes to housing and feeding in your particular coop you may wish you had done things a bit different.
Most coops are a work in progress and personally I have changed watering systems; egg boxes; feeders; run layout;and I am always on the look out for new products or things to suit my particular cold climate and small coop.
One thing that I wish I had done different where I have deep litter in my coop over the winter months is raise my guillotine type pop door to almost a foot above the floor to accommodate the deep litter better.
My coop only has a foot print of 4x8 and I have kept as many as 24 hens with no problems (that many birds not recommended on this site).

 

[bdjh]

Sounds like you've got great plans. My recommendation is to build nesting bars in front of the windows. My girls all jockey for position in front of the one window we have. They seem to enjoy looking outside. If they're locked up, and see us in the yard, they'll sound the alarm and start squawking until we let them out! Something I'll always do if I ever build another coop, is to make roosting bars up as high as possible in the coop (as in rafters), as they seem to like sleeping up high, possibly away from any potential dangers......and they seem to like looking down on people....literally AND figuratively