Hello all! I'm new around here, and wanted to introduce myself and jump right in with some questions. I've known that I've wanted to have hens for sometime now, just hasn't been much of a possibility until now. I'm pretty torn on if I should start with chicks or try and find hens that already lay. I plan on having 3-4 hens, possibly going up to 6 at some point. Secondly the coop is the my biggest question righ now as well. I can't decide if I should spend the money on a well built coop. A friend of mine who has hens recommended that I find a large chain link dog pen (the area I live in has dogs that roam is a concern of mine as well) to put a coop inside of for protection from other animals. I've had a cousin of mine offer to build me a coop, but this would be a first for him, and while it would be nice to save money, I cant help but think it might be better to spend money on a coop that I know will be secure. I've looked online and chicken coop plans and have gotten really overwhelmed by all the options. Most of what I've seen I don't think my cousin has all the tools he would need to build a coup (mainly the saws). I just can't help but think that by the time we were to buy the needed saws and all the materials for a coop, it would end up being what I would pay for a chicken coop anyway. Any advice and/or info would be greatly appreciated!
Hi Glad you could join the flock! Raising chicks is very rewarding but they do take more time and attention than point of lay hens. Chicks require heat in a brooder so a lamp or heat source would be needed for them along with fresh food and water and draft free area at all times. Point of lay would be able to go straight out in the coop and secure run. I can't advise on would be best for you as to a coop but if you don't have the means to build one a pre made one would be in order. The coop section has some great ideas for home made and the housing section of the learning centre has some great articles on what is needed for a good coop. Predator proof and good ventilation are my top tips. Here are the links https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/housing-and-feeding-your-chickens https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/2/Coop_Designs Wishing you the best of luck and hope you enjoy BYC
A lot of pre-built coops are flimsy and will not stand up to weather or predators. They look awfully cute tho. Plus the makers will say they can hold 6-8 hens and generally cannot comfortably house half that number. Sometimes craig's list has free or low priced coops because the owners found out they didn't care to keep chickens. Often they come with chickens. Dog runs are always useful but the openings in the chain link are large enough to permit small critters to ravage your flock. You can back up the chain link with 1/2" hardware clothe to keep those out. A run cover can offer some protection from rain, snow , hot sun and Hawks.
Welcome to BYC! Please make yourself at home and we are here to help. Excellent advice given by Yorkshire Coop and Drumstick Diva. Watch out for dogs!
