First Timer Prepping Like a Literal Nester

[H_2]

Hi y'all! After joining a few months ago to gain some education, reading handful of books, and getting thru an fairly snowy winter, I ordered my first four chicks, a brooder (I know, I know, I could have made my own) and the warmer/heater that Backyard Chicken Chick recommended. I have a list of more things to get, but the ladies (please, all be ladies) don't come until May so I have time. I've had my coop since July, partially to see if my neighbors see it over the fence and pitch a fit. I will be coming to everyone for advice and I'm grateful you are here!!! Topics will include - health and welfare, free ranging in my big back yard, and my dogs, top of mind. Here we go (in May)!!!!

 

[DobieLover]

Hi y'all! After joining a few months ago to gain some education, reading handful of books, and getting thru an fairly snowy winter, I ordered my first four chicks, a brooder (I know, I know, I could have made my own) and the warmer/heater that Backyard Chicken Chick recommended. I have a list of more things to get, but the ladies (please, all be ladies) don't come until May so I have time. I've had my coop since July, partially to see if my neighbors see it over the fence and pitch a fit. I will be coming to everyone for advice and I'm grateful you are here!!! Topics will include - health and welfare, free ranging in my big back yard, and my dogs, top of mind. Here we go (in May)!!!!

Congratulations on ordering your chicks!
What breeds did you select?
Pictures of your coop/run?
How exciting for you!

 

[Brahmachicken240]

How exciting!
I wish you luck preparing for them and raising them.

 

[H_2]

Congratulations on ordering your chicks!
What breeds did you select?
Pictures of your coop/run?
How exciting for you!

I got four Easter Eggers. I searched for heat and cold tolerance (I'm in the high desert), good productivity, and 'docile'. The pretty egg colors don't hurt . Not a huge run but I have a ton of grass and dirt that I'll let them hang out on as soon as I learn how to wrangle them!

 

[Steam Powered Chicken]

Congratulations on your impending chickens!!!! <3 I'm a first time chicken parent too, and have had my babies for almost three weeks! They're a lot of fun, and it's great to get to see the changes in them daily. I'm sure they're going to love the set up you have for them, congrats again!!!

 

[fisher101]

As long as you have a coop that will hold all the chickens a brooder and feeders and waters for both chicks and adults you should be fine if the pics i seen here on these post is yours of the coop it looks good but you will need to ask your self to do you want free range eggs or coop them all day in a run so you can find them easier

 

[aart]

You're gonna need some shade....and ventilation...or they may cook in that location.

 

[fisher101]

Yea they would if there isnt any trees take some plywood or just a dark shade net kinda deal and put over the run and cut some holes and put welded wire on the in or out side of the holes you cut for ventilation

 

[H_2]

You're gonna need some shade....and ventilation...or they may cook in that location.

Thank you for this. I have a huge umbrella but I'm not even sure that will work. I'm trying to suss out a sort of swamp cooler situation. If anyone has any advice, I'd appreciate it. We just planted all of our trees so they are still too little to be shade providers.

 

[H_2]

Yea they would if there isnt any trees take some plywood or just a dark shade net kinda deal and put over the run and cut some holes and put welded wire on the in or out side of the holes you cut for ventilation

The trees haven't grown enough so I really appreciate this feedback. I'm definitely worried about it so keep the ideas coming. Chicks come mid-May and I'm ok with the brooder and whatnot indoors, but it's going to get hot fast.