Getting back into chickens

Greetings from Leavenworth, Kansas.

My teen-age daughters picked up a couple chicks years ago from a feed store and I wasn't very happy. They kept them in their bedroom for about a month, then we moved them out back into an old rabbit hutch I got from a friend. One day, we heard a horrible sound and realized it was one of the chickens -- an adolescent rooster who was trying to crow. It was funny for about a day, then became pretty annoying, especially to the neighbors, who complained to the landlady. A few days later, the chickens were at a new home out in the country.

Fast forward about 10 years. We now have our own home in a older suburb on the edge of town. My girls are grown and married and have blessed us with three grandsons. I've gotten into vegetable gardening and consider myself somewhat handy. My wife and I might be what some would call "preppers," but after surviving without power for two weeks after an ice storm a few years ago, we like to be a little more prepared and self-sufficient. I'm always looking at ways to improve our home and property with an eye toward practicality and purpose. Somehow, we ended up looking into getting some chickens.

This year, we pulled the trigger. Three weeks ago, we purchased 2 Barred Plymouth Rocks, 2 Silver-Laced Wyandottes and an Easter Egger. They were all a few days old. The Barred Rocks are named Ann and Nancy, the Wyandottes are Stevie and Christine and the girl with green legs is Janis.

I set up a brooder in the garage and started making final plans for the outdoor coop using as much recycled and materials-at-hand. as I can. The outdoor run will be a 5X10x6 chain-link dog pen recycled from parts from a 10x10x6 pen. Concrete pavers and edgers, plus some old wire fence will form the base and predator protection. The coop itself will be raised about 2 feet off the ground with a floor made from an old Formica-covered 3x4 drafting table (for easy cleaning, I hope). Plywood is mostly salvaged from crates and pallets from work. Windows and quarter-inch welded mesh screens were salvaged from neighborhood curbs on trash day. I've had to purchase some pressure-treated 4x4 posts, a few bags of Quickrete and some 2x4s for the frame.

I've already stolen some great ideas from this site and a few others. I decided to join so I can share my victories and challenges and get answers and suggestions from some of the experts. I look forward to getting to know you all.

Bob

 

Corinne:

I wish we had 4 acres, but we are trying to make due with the 3/4 acre or so that came with the house. We live within the city limits, so no goats, pigs, geese, etc., and the coop has to be at least 75 feet from the neighbors' homes, which is not a problem.

I probably should not have thrown the "prepper" word out there, but I am frugal and like to be prepared for tough times. We live in storm country, so it's good to know you will not be too uncomfortable if you find you have to do without some modern amenities for an extended period of time.

Our chickens are small-scale livestock at this point, but they may become pets. Only time will tell. They will always have a temporary home in the garage if the weather gets too rough.

My grandkids love them!

Bob