- Oct 9, 2014
- 18
- 0
- 22
Greetings.
So I have been lurking on here awhile because my wife and I have a goal of starting a flock of chickens once we buy land, and as that gets closer to being a reality I thought I should say hello ( and be able to ask questions not just lurk for them)
I am 46, former Portland (OR) resident relocated to the south Willamette Valley. When I was divorced with one 9 year old son I had 4 chickens in Portland for three years. .. Two americanas, one barred rock and a black sex link. It was a pretty great little flock.
Now ten years later my oldest is 19 and still lives in Portland. I remarried and between us we have four kids at home in addition to my adult son. At home we have 12,10,6,2 year olds. I started researching because my projected flock will be much larger then. My previous one, having more room in the country and all.. As well having more mouths to feed. 4 chickens was great for two people ( well one and a half anyway, my son was there part time) but now? Well let's just say we call a dozen eggs, a pound of bacon and four large potatoes " breakfast" at my house
... And then they are hungry an hour later. Eggs also happen to be the only breakfast food everyone really likes, so if you make eggs for one, you make eggs for all. We go through 2-3 doz a week now, and we could go through more as I never have any for salads because if a boil some in the morning by 3pm they are gone. (My two year old eats the boiled whites and feeds the yolks to the dog. Now the dog thinks all boiled yolks are hers...)
The area we are looking in allows 85 chickens per acre, which frankly seems like more than I need. I was thinking more on the 20-24 side, to allow for predator loss, and some eggs to either give away as gifts or trade. I have a shed that will be moving with us that I was planning on splitting in half and using half as a coop, half as chicken related storage ( the shed is 8- 16 and ten feet at the crest. Giving me an 8x8 coop. My intention is to have an outside fenced pen for the daytime.
So yes I have lots of questions of how to deal with a flock of this scale ( four chicks you can raise in the bathtub.. Twenty four? Probably not) also how to deal with my new life ( my current dog has never been around livestock, and I suspect she would kill a chicken given the chance. And what breeds are docile enough for a young children? My four were great but were essentially hand raised. My barred would get out of the pen and sit on the porch with me... But I didn't have any toddlers around. Do I need a rooster? If so what to get? I want my toddler to enjoy having chickens not live in fear of them. Some of this I have already searched for on the site... So don't feel y have to answer here... Just giving you an idea of what on my mind.
So I have been lurking on here awhile because my wife and I have a goal of starting a flock of chickens once we buy land, and as that gets closer to being a reality I thought I should say hello ( and be able to ask questions not just lurk for them)
I am 46, former Portland (OR) resident relocated to the south Willamette Valley. When I was divorced with one 9 year old son I had 4 chickens in Portland for three years. .. Two americanas, one barred rock and a black sex link. It was a pretty great little flock.
Now ten years later my oldest is 19 and still lives in Portland. I remarried and between us we have four kids at home in addition to my adult son. At home we have 12,10,6,2 year olds. I started researching because my projected flock will be much larger then. My previous one, having more room in the country and all.. As well having more mouths to feed. 4 chickens was great for two people ( well one and a half anyway, my son was there part time) but now? Well let's just say we call a dozen eggs, a pound of bacon and four large potatoes " breakfast" at my house
... And then they are hungry an hour later. Eggs also happen to be the only breakfast food everyone really likes, so if you make eggs for one, you make eggs for all. We go through 2-3 doz a week now, and we could go through more as I never have any for salads because if a boil some in the morning by 3pm they are gone. (My two year old eats the boiled whites and feeds the yolks to the dog. Now the dog thinks all boiled yolks are hers...) The area we are looking in allows 85 chickens per acre, which frankly seems like more than I need. I was thinking more on the 20-24 side, to allow for predator loss, and some eggs to either give away as gifts or trade. I have a shed that will be moving with us that I was planning on splitting in half and using half as a coop, half as chicken related storage ( the shed is 8- 16 and ten feet at the crest. Giving me an 8x8 coop. My intention is to have an outside fenced pen for the daytime.
So yes I have lots of questions of how to deal with a flock of this scale ( four chicks you can raise in the bathtub.. Twenty four? Probably not) also how to deal with my new life ( my current dog has never been around livestock, and I suspect she would kill a chicken given the chance. And what breeds are docile enough for a young children? My four were great but were essentially hand raised. My barred would get out of the pen and sit on the porch with me... But I didn't have any toddlers around. Do I need a rooster? If so what to get? I want my toddler to enjoy having chickens not live in fear of them. Some of this I have already searched for on the site... So don't feel y have to answer here... Just giving you an idea of what on my mind.
and Welcome To BYC! You've gotten some great suggestions and links above. There is a really nice article in the Learning Center that helps figuring out how much space you need for the birds you want. 
