For the MINIMALISTS - those who think less is more in chicken keeping - Please help

[3KillerBs]

We're getting ready to dig up the area so question to you, amazing design team - This is our landscaping. If we are able to let them out, will they eat our plants? We don't care about the grass but we do like our landscaping.

Yes, they will dig and nibble and generally destroy anything short of well-established shrubbery/trees.

 

[KyCoop]

Oh sweet new member GetFitWithKrista we have loaded you down with sooooo much information. Please tell us your taking notes. and you thought you could be a minimalist te he. Before long you will be a full fledged chicken nut like the rest of us!

 

[Sally PB]

If I can remember, I'll time how long my chicken activities take. There are 4 times I visit the coop, and it could be minimized to 2.

Open up in the morning
"Scoopy coopy" a couple hours later
Chickie snack anytime from 2-4 pm
Lock up at dusk

I could do the scoop poop at open. I could skip chickie snack. But I like visiting them. It gives me a chance to talk to them, see how they're doing.

Oh, I should mention that the nest boxes are accessible from outside the coop, so that's an easy, any time of day thing.

 

[Silexian]

This sounds like a dream. Could you possibly send a link to the material so I can look for it? Have you used straw or other bedding before? Thanks a lot for this suggestion.

The brand that I use is Brecks Better Bedding. www.breckshybids.com/products/betterbedding.

 

[GetFitWithKrista]

A general rule of thumb is one nest for every 4 hens. That's 12" x 12" nests, which those probably are. Bigger nests can handle more hens. I really like a minimum of two nests any way so you have some redundancy. It's possible to get a hen that is a nest hog that won't let another hen in but it's more usual with mine for two hens to be in a nest at the same time laying while my other nests are free. So two of those nests should be plenty.

Yes, I've heard this. They sometimes all use the same one. I like that I have 4 available but using 2 would be better for now. We're trying to keep it simple, right.

If it were me I'd block off those top two nests and let them sleep wherever they darn well want to. But that's just me.

Agreed, sounds like a plan

 

[GetFitWithKrista]

OK

you will be surprised what size rocks they can move with their dino feet. You want big old stones or pavers

Haha message received. Giant pavers

 

[Folly's place]

We added 2" to 4" rocks around the tree and shrubs next to our coop, and it's been fine to protect their roots.
Chickens will 'rearrange' any woody mulch you use around trees and shrubs. Don't look for a pristine landscape! They will eat hostas...
Mary

 

[GetFitWithKrista]

The brand that I use is Brecks Better Bedding. www.breckshybids.com/products/betterbedding.

https://www.ruralking.com/catalog/product/view/id/37055

Found it. It says I can purchase it online but then it takes me to a site where I can only purchase it at the store and we don't have any near us. Darn.

While we're on the top of bedding, any change you guys could send me links to the exact bedding that you use?

 

[GetFitWithKrista]

If I can remember, I'll time how long my chicken activities take. There are 4 times I visit the coop, and it could be minimized to 2.

Open up in the morning
"Scoopy coopy" a couple hours later
Chickie snack anytime from 2-4 pm
Lock up at dusk

I could do the scoop poop at open. I could skip chickie snack. But I like visiting them. It gives me a chance to talk to them, see how they're doing.

Oh, I should mention that the nest boxes are accessible from outside the coop, so that's an easy, any time of day thing.

It sounds like you've got a good routine. I'm sure your crew enjoy seeing you a few times a day especially with treats. If you could time it, that would be awesome. I'm so new at this that I'm not sure if things like a bedding change will take me 20 minutes or 3 hours. That's a big difference. Getting a general idea from you folks is helpful. I know I will make adjustments though.

The only reason I mention that I'm trying to streamline our methods is because we homeschool which is great but as a result we're involved in a lot of activities so my son can be around other kids. If I had more time, I wouldn't care. I also wouldn't commit to this if I didn't think I could give the chickens the attention they need. Just trying to make our time together more about hanging out than the upkeep, if it's possible. Hope that makes sense.

 

[Folly's place]

We buy bagged shavings from TSC sometimes, it's convenient. Our best deal is at a 'fairly' local private feed store, where the bags are larger and best price. Bedding choices will depend at least in part on what's available locally, and how much storage space you have.
Straight hay or straw will mat down and are not as useful as other choices.
Mary