Hello from Baltimore!

[JollyBoots]

Hello all!

I've been thinking about raising a few (4 laying hens with room for 2 broilers/roosters) chickens and I want to make sure its right for me before sinking in the capital and possibly creating a bad situation for myself, the chickens, my neighbors etc. I live on the edge of Baltimore city MD with a decent size backyard (40'x55') that is completely fenced in (I know I'll have to add netting to the chain link). From my research thus far I have sufficient land, but I am full of questions.
I mainly want to know if I can allow them free range in the yard during the day while I'm at work and coop them at night, and if so what are the coop requirements for this setup? I am guestimating a 6'x6' coop giving me 36'sq, 6'sq per maximum chicken population. 18" off ground. about me I am a straight razor enthusiast, part time blacksmith, armorer, weaponsmith, full time handyman, husband and father.

 

[mtngirl35]

Hi and welcome! Keep in mind that you will still have to provide feed to make sure they get enough to eat. 40'x55' won't provide them with all they nee food wise. How tall is your fence? It is possible they will be able to get over it.

 

[JollyBoots]

Hi and welcome! Keep in mind that you will still have to provide feed to make sure they get enough to eat. 40'x55' won't provide them with all they nee food wise. How tall is your fence? It is possible they will be able to get over it.

I am currently working on a spreadsheet for start up costs.
I planned on building a 5gal auto feeder and a waterer to supplement their diet can you over feed them? the fence I currently have is too short about 4ft but I will be supplementing it's height with rebar attached to the current fence and deer netting or construction fencing to make it 7ft. I was going to use chicken wire, but with some reading here that seems to be a no-no. I already have the approval of my neighbors. I've done some reading and it looks like some people use their whole yard as a run, but when I coop them for the night do they still need a run attached to the coop? There aren't much in the way of predators around here during daylight hours but we've got raccoons and an Owl so no nights outdoors. I've got a deer run behind my back fence and a groundhog den in the lot next to mine, and more squirrels than I'd like but that about sums up the fauna around here, there was a fox but he was haggard looking last year and I havent seen him all summer, I don't think he made it through winter.

 

[HenTimesTen]

hi! welcome to the site I'm fairly new here myself. It depends on how tall your fence is and what breeds of chickens you're thinking of getting. Larger breeds with big fat bottoms can fly about 6' but about 4' with clipped wings. On the other hand, little breeds (like bantams) are able to fly even higher. I've seen my bantam get to about 10'! but it's less than that with clipped wings. (clipping their wings doesn't hurt them if you do it correctly. It's like giving them a haircut) Also, is your area known to have predators such as hawks, kites, coyotes, etc? If so, then its not the best idea to let them free range unattended. They'll be gone before you even get to know them! Also, 6'x6'= 36'sq enclosure... which will give them plenty of room only for roosting, egg laying and sleeping. But if you wind up not letting them free range, you must build an additional run to it. Let me know about those things I mentioned and I'll be here for any additional questions -Sophia

 

[JollyBoots]

hentimesten, thanks! the plan is to have 4 full sized laying hens, and maybe rotating pair for meat (all plans subject to change see murphy's law). I was looking at heirloom breeds like the delaware until I realized the website failed to mention how hard they would be to find, now I'm looking for austorlope or RIR. There aren't much in the way of predators, at least not during the day, raccoons and there is an owl around here somewhere. the post I made right above yours details the local wild life and my feeding and fence plans

 

[drumstick diva]

Actually, rule of thumb is to allow 4 sq. feet per bird inside the coop excluding nest boxes and roosts, and 10 sq.feet per bird in a run.

If you clip wings you are removing a birds first line of of safety, flying away from predators. Chickens can fly or hide but, are not able to fight off predators.

 

[Kiki]

Welcome to Backyardchickens.com aka BYC!
We are so glad you joined our flock.

This video will help you learn how to navigate this site:

 

[HenTimesTen]

I just saw your previous post about your plans. That all sounds good you can let them free range during the day. And nope! No such thing as an over-fed chicken- especially when you want them for meat. Just make sure that their water system is in a cool spot. Chickens can usually find bugs in the ground and eat grass when they're out of food for a few hours; but a few hours without fresh cool water can lead to damage. Sometimes they won't lay for a few days. Also, about the meat breeds- I've heard that Cornish, J Giants and Orpingtons are good for meat. RIRs are one of the best egglayers (for me)... mine lays every single day. If you're looking to get more pounds of meat, go for the Giants although they take a few more weeks to grow to their full potential than other breeds. Cornish chickens grow faster but they produce a few less pounds. Tip: (I'm sure you know) roosters will always bear more meat

 

[JollyBoots]

Actually, rule of thumb is to allow 4 sq. feet per bird inside the coop excluding nest boxes and roosts, and 10 sq.feet per bird in a run.

If you clip wings you are removing a birds first line of of safety, flying away from predators. Chickens can fly or hide but, are not able to fight off predators.

Sorry my math was off, a 6x6 gives me 36'sq for 6 chickens max. gives them 6' each. the free ranging area they would have is 2200sqft and I'd give additional feed as suggested by mtngirl35. As for wing clipping, I haven't done any research on it, haven't gotten that far yet but I plan on a 7' fence so I don't think it will be necessary anyway. My goal is to create a system for the chickens that allows me to let them out before work in the morning and coop them just before dusk. it seems that I won't need a run on my coop if I fortify the yard to prevent escape artist chickens.

 

[HenTimesTen]

You wouldn't need to clip their wings if they're a heavy breed. The 7' fence would be just fine for them- and they'll still be able to fly away from predators (if any). And it's good to create a system/ routine. You should always keep the door to the coop open so they can lay in their boxes while you're at work. And for when you're putting them away at night, I've found that using a rake/ broom works like a sheepdog you won't even have to touch them or carry them inside. You just have to walk around with the rake and guide them to the door. And nope! From what it sounds like, you won't be needing a run (and i have an escape artist chicken... I named her Houdini )