Hello and thank you!

Date sort Score sort
Mysticpied

Mysticpied

In the Brooder
Jul 1, 2015
12
4
24
SF Bay Area, CA
We just got our chickens at the end of May and I have been working my butt off to get their coop up and everything the way I want it. There is still a ways to go but I'm happy with how it's going for now.

Honestly, I never really liked chickens, but then two summers ago and again last summer we visited family in Oregon who had a small flock and my oldest son, now 6, fell in love. I started doing research and got hooked. Hubby is really just along for the ride and indulges us, but I think I'll eventually get him on board once we start getting eggs.

Right now our peepers are about 8-9 weeks and I'm pretty sure there's only one rooster out of the seven we originally brought home. Woo hoo! We can technically keep a rooster, but if he can't behave around the kids, he will be dinner very quickly. No crowing so far, but that might also be cause for moving on to oven camp since our neighbors are really close.

Flock: Black Astralorp, Buff Orpington, Rhode Island Red, Easter Egger, California Grey, Partrige Rock, Welsumer (the boys named them)

My son with Peepers


Penguin, Flappy Bird, Bonky, Peepers, and Brownie Bird


Lion, Umizoomi, Bonky, Peepers


Penguin, Flappy Bird


Penguin


First day home!


Coop 4x5 Run 4x15 (building on a raised planter box sucked)
Still a work in progress...


Basic Structure


Pop Door


My adorable "helpers" pretending to be chickens


Inside Coop


Egg Boxes and Back Access Door on Coop


No wire yet, but structurally mostly done


Chickens moved in once the coop was done, but I was still working on the run (wire/painting). They really needed to get out of my kitchen...


Coop/Run fully functional! Still needs paint, a real roof, and some other tweaks, but it works for now.


Flappy Bird drinking from the nipples



Water set up (chickies begging for treats...)


I'm using sand in the coop and deep litter in the run. We'll see how it goes and I'll make adjustments if needed/wanted.

I would like to give a big thank you to everyone who has posted so much awesome information on the site. It is amazing how much knowledge is here to help someone get started without as many mistakes and a lot more confidence. I have spent countless hours reading about coop designs, what works for bedding and waterers, how to tell if my chickens are pullets or cockerels, the amazing wonders of chicken math, etc. I am happy to be part of such a great group of people!

Thank you,
Jackie
SF Bay Area, California
 
My kiddos named our chickens and we have a Peepers and a Brownie too
1f60a.png
We also have a Little Guy (but since she is the biggest one, my son wants to name her Big Guy now) and Stripers.
 
We actually have a cat named Scardy Cat. She was named by a kid, as was Tabby and Tiger Tail. I have no excuse for my chickens names, however, since I named them myself.
tongue.png
 
Welcome to BYC! Please make yourself at home and we are here to help.
Wonderful intro!
thumbsup.gif
And great pictures!! Your flock looks very happy. I love their coop too! Looks like you and your family are really enjoying them. Good luck to you with this new adventure.
 
I see you studied before you started building. You have hardware cloth securely attached - go to the head of your class.
thumbsup.gif
. The only thing I wanted to ask, is if your smaller(shorter) birds are able to reach the nipple waterers? I am a very short person and know how often things are beyond my reach. Welcome to Backyard chickens.
 
Thank you. I'm a bit obsessive with research when I get interested in something. It's hard to see in the picture, but I do have a little mini perch below the waterer at one end for the shorties although I think most of them like it and use that end. I also still have the little waterer in the coop itself that is easier to reach when the birds stand in the doorway. The shortest by far is Brownie Bird the Partridge Rock. I usually call her Midget actually. Most of the others are fine, but when I first put it in, she was jumping to try to reach it. I felt so bad for her. I'm only 5'2" so I understand the struggle. It's funny though, Brownie is the most likely to steal food from the roo, Penguin, or just put him in his place if he's being a turd. She is small but mighty.
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom