Getting started

[Farming Feathers]

I have made a mild introduction previously, but updating information. We my wife and I have moved onto the property of our intended hobby Chicken Farm since Aug. 31 and still unpacking and getting settled in. There are two hens that visit our yard and not sure if they were part of the previous owner property or belong to surrounding abandon residence here along the section on land we have rented...I will contact my immediate neighbor who has chickens to see if these birds are his Not sure of the breeds yet, but one older hen is spotted or speckled dark grey base color with white fleck streaks in patterned formation...the other looks a cross breed Rhode Island Red, but the red us not a deep robust color as I remember them. These chickens are free ranging and hang around here. The speckled bird is older she likely is not an egg laying hen, and just needs to live out what is left of her life. The Red is of egg laying age, in her prime, very healthy looking. I bought some fancy scratch feed and made the introduction to both birds. Red is skittish and my dog needs to improve her manors as she spokes the birds with a fast approach (mostly curious what they are eating).
A question I have about starting to raise chickens here...I'm going to start with free range, bur as a young person I raised pigeons...and teaching them to home I kept them cooped for a few weeks after that they knew where they live and get food... Would it be the same practice to start my new birds confined...this gives them the introduction to methods used to water, feed and type of roost area I provide as I plan to use or obtain rollout bedding to gather and protect the eggs.
No serious productivity is being sought this season as I'm gathering knowledge, equipment, and setting up to care and feed the ladies. It has been more than 6 decades since I have been around farm animals most notably chickens and can say I don't remember enough to start without seeking advise. Any suggestions for start up is most appreciated and I do accept being told in a manor that would seem over simplified to some...meaning baby steps two inches at a time is better than one giant leap. I really need the foundation for a successful startup with range chicken raising.
Oh before I forget out yard is about 125 feet long by 80 feet wide...this is the actual yard with lots of trees and one area of exposed sunlight 30 x 30 squar foot area...rest is in the shade...lots of weeds.

 

[Farming Feathers]

Back again...looked up the chicken breeds the spotted chicken older is a Plymouth Rock and the younger is Orpington (called her a Rhode Island Red...she is not that breed).

 

[rjohns39]

Hi and welcome to BYC You are correct, start your birds out in their coop and keep them there a few days to a week. That will help them learn where home is. When you go out to feed them, call them consistently so they'll learn that its time to return to the coop. We're so happy you joined us

 

[Kiki]

Welcome to Backyardchickens.com aka BYC!
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[Cntry1958]

Welcome to BYC, First off you need to know how many chickens you would like total.
Now times that by 4 feet per bird for hot weather areas and 5 feet for cold climates. As I have no idea what part of the country your in. The more room you give them the better off they will be in they have to be in a coop for any length of time. Remember Chicken math to. Chickens love having chicks if there is a rooster around. So go big if you can. Next step is building a coop for the size of the chickens you have as well as the amount.
( 6 birds x 5 ft. = 30 ft) example. For Cold climates. ( 6 birds x 4 ft =24 ft) For warm climates. After the coop is built its time to build a run next to the coop. This is where the chicks will be till they are old enough and are no longer chicks. Also if you find there is a big predator problem and need to keep them safe until you take care of it. The run will also get the chicks, chickens use to you. The more time you spend around them the better off later it will be. Once you begin to let them free range.

 

[Farming Feathers]

Cntry1958, I'm in Whitney TX (Central TX area) I will start with a max of 6 birds overall. I have a shed (metal) 8x8 by 6ft high. this will be the coop sitting at a corner with 40 foot run area, but not fenced...yet. Plan most birds will likely be Comets and Rhode Island Reds. The yard is overgrown with weeds and run area has sun 80% of the day. Most of this is planned for next year as the start time, and for now gathering research and suggestions such as yours...thank you so much. I have natural abilities with animals I respect them and they me.

 

[drumstick diva]

Thank you for joining us at Backyard chickens.

 

[Farming Feathers]

Hi and welcome to BYC You are correct, start your birds out in their coop and keep them there a few days to a week. That will help them learn where home is. When you go out to feed them, call them consistently so they'll learn that its time to return to the coop. We're so happy you joined us

Thanks for the feedback much appreciated. Larry

 

[Hamiam]

Welcome! I live north of Fort Worth. I'd say the biggest daytime predators are dogs & coyotes (country & city), the biggest night time predators are raccoons & owls. I've always free ranged but you must lock them up tight from dusk till dawn! Good fencing can protect from most daytime predators. Make sure they have cover to run to when hawks appear. If you decide you want to buy pullets that are already laying, I have 6 Red Sexlinks for sale. They are around 6 months old & started laying about 1 month ago. I decided to sale my current flock & raise only green egg layers (a member of BYC gave me the idea since my last name is Ham). They are super sweet. If your interested PM me. I love to see people doing their research before getting chickens.

Vera