Hello, all! I had stumbled across this site and decided to join up to learn what y'all can teach me. My wife and I bought 12 acres of land to get out of the city and raise as much of our own food as we can. The next project on the agenda is a coop/run and approximately 20 chickens. The basic inspiration for the build is coming from this article: http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles/silveira44a.html
I am thinking about making the outer fencing of run 50 feet to each side, with an 8'x12' coop in the center column along with the compost area. The dimensions may change as I learn, as my wife wants to also raise a few turkeys, some ducks and some guinea fowl, due to their reputation for getting rid of snakes. The effect they'll have on ticks and scorpions is another bonus, but this is my first foray into domesticated fowl, so I have no experience with how well they'll get along.
My current thought is to have the fencing for the run at 4' high, with no roof, and I'm looking at half-inch hardware cloth, at least as a liner for the lower part of the fence to keep as many pests and snakes out as possible. I've seen some great ideas here which I can incorporate into the design, and I can at least stake out and prepare the area while I make sure I design it properly. We have two dogs that probably can't be trusted around the birds, so the fence will need to be sturdy. Luckily, we have trees that need to be cleared out anyway, so there is a source for fence posts.
As far as the crops to grow, I'm leaning towards crops to feed the birds, but I'm open. The other crops we'll be growing in other areas will be fenced in, just in case.
Hadn't settled on breeds yet, though I hear good things about Americaunas, Rhode Island Reds and Leghorns. As long as they can tolerate Texas summers, that's what I need.
May get a few farm cats to help with the expected rodent problem, since they do seem to figure out where the food is. Hopefully they can get along with the birds.
My wife will be home full-time, and I'm staying fully-employed, plus, but we'll both be pitching in on the project. Anyhow, that's about what I can think of as an intro, so thanks in advance for your help!
Jay
I am thinking about making the outer fencing of run 50 feet to each side, with an 8'x12' coop in the center column along with the compost area. The dimensions may change as I learn, as my wife wants to also raise a few turkeys, some ducks and some guinea fowl, due to their reputation for getting rid of snakes. The effect they'll have on ticks and scorpions is another bonus, but this is my first foray into domesticated fowl, so I have no experience with how well they'll get along.
My current thought is to have the fencing for the run at 4' high, with no roof, and I'm looking at half-inch hardware cloth, at least as a liner for the lower part of the fence to keep as many pests and snakes out as possible. I've seen some great ideas here which I can incorporate into the design, and I can at least stake out and prepare the area while I make sure I design it properly. We have two dogs that probably can't be trusted around the birds, so the fence will need to be sturdy. Luckily, we have trees that need to be cleared out anyway, so there is a source for fence posts.
As far as the crops to grow, I'm leaning towards crops to feed the birds, but I'm open. The other crops we'll be growing in other areas will be fenced in, just in case.
Hadn't settled on breeds yet, though I hear good things about Americaunas, Rhode Island Reds and Leghorns. As long as they can tolerate Texas summers, that's what I need.
May get a few farm cats to help with the expected rodent problem, since they do seem to figure out where the food is. Hopefully they can get along with the birds.
My wife will be home full-time, and I'm staying fully-employed, plus, but we'll both be pitching in on the project. Anyhow, that's about what I can think of as an intro, so thanks in advance for your help!
Jay
