Hello from Kansas

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TwoCrows said:
Hello and welcome to BYC! :frow

Nice introduction! I think you are considering some great breeds, all healthy hardy breeds. Enjoy putting it all together! If you have any questions about anything along the way, be sure to ask. Welcome aboard!
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Thanks for the compliment... I do want to go beyond the basics for my feeder and watering systems this time, so I am hungry for good information with those items for certain.

I have picked up a few things in my first construction that I definitely will carry over to this one as those approaches saved my flock from a barrage of predators. I'm still trying to figure out how to provide them with a secure "chicken yard" like I did before. Back then I used hog panel and hotwire (solar charger) so that worked for the perimeter pretty well. I'm thinking about fencing in my orchard to accomplish that this year - thinking they might also help keep the bugs away from the fruit. I guess my concern is that I want it to have a different look given the elements of my new property - not as important yet, so I have time to figure that one out.

I hope to post some of that stuff in more detail later this summer - with photos of my new build and why I chose those options in the construction.

Sandwiching the green vinyl square mesh between 2x4s and 2x6s for my run construction was absolutely the best choice in my mind. My stepkids even fell into it horsing around near the chickens a few times - never even made a dent. I also never had an issue with any predators ever getting to the birds in the house or the run (which sat on an excavated plot with a solid concrete block foundation with rock around the exterior and as a base for the interior. My neighbors back then had issues with bobcats getting to some of their animals, I never had an issue, so I feel pretty good about my security elements too.
 
N F C said:
:welcome

Welcome back! I enjoyed your intro, it's nice to meet you!
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Thanks! I hope to be able to provide some useful info to the community this go around. It would be nice to hear about folks new to chickens benefiting from what knowledge I can offer. I don't consider myself a "chicken pro", so I'm not sure how much I'll really be able to offer up in that area - other than maybe things like my experiences with maintaining a healthy flock (I'm not a vet, and still consider myself somewhat of a novice at this as well) - but the construction side of things for ease of maintenance and so on is where I think I will be able to be the most helpful.
 
Obewan said:
Thanks for the compliment... I do want to go beyond the basics for my feeder and watering systems this time, so I am hungry for good information with those items for certain.

I have picked up a few things in my first construction that I definitely will carry over to this one as those approaches saved my flock from a barrage of predators. I'm still trying to figure out how to provide them with a secure "chicken yard" like I did before. Back then I used hog panel and hotwire (solar charger) so that worked for the perimeter pretty well. I'm thinking about fencing in my orchard to accomplish that this year - thinking they might also help keep the bugs away from the fruit. I guess my concern is that I want it to have a different look given the elements of my new property - not as important yet, so I have time to figure that one out.

I hope to post some of that stuff in more detail later this summer - with photos of my new build and why I chose those options in the construction.

Sandwiching the green vinyl square mesh between 2x4s and 2x6s for my run construction was absolutely the best choice in my mind. My stepkids even fell into it horsing around near the chickens a few times - never even made a dent. I also never had an issue with any predators ever getting to the birds in the house or the run (which sat on an excavated plot with a solid concrete block foundation with rock around the exterior and as a base for the interior. My neighbors back then had issues with bobcats getting to some of their animals, I never had an issue, so I feel pretty good about my security elements too.
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Electric fencing really helps greatly so if it's worked in the past, definitely continue on. You seem to have it all under control, I think your birds will do fine and stay safe! :)
 
TwoCrows said:
Electric fencing really helps greatly so if it's worked in the past, definitely continue on. You seem to have it all under control, I think your birds will do fine and stay safe! :)
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Absolutely on the electric fence. For someone thinking about this who might stumble into this thread:
I'd have to go back and check some old photos, but I'm pretty sure I had a "foot" wire about 2-3" up from the bottom (on t-posts) to discourage digging predators, and I never really had a problem with string trimming as I had place a gravel "bed" under that hotwire (angular stone about 4inches deep IIRC). I do know the foot wire stopped a few dogs, possum, and coons as I watch them get zapped trying to enter the chicken yard over the years. The other hotwire line was about 6 or 8 inches from the top, intended to deter the climbing critters, like possum and raccoon, that might not catch the "foot" wire.
My cats never bothered the birds, but they did get through the hog panel openings while also avoiding the foot wire, pretty much whenever they wanted, so that was one area where I thought about adding a third wire about 6 inches above the foot wire thinking they would contact at least one of them. I never really got around to testing that theory, so it will still be somewhat "experimental".

Anyway I'll probably start off with a 3-wire setup described above this time since there could be a larger threat from domestic cats where I am now. I'll post photos of that too once I get it built, though it might not be until next year on that one - I have a number of home remodel projects that need to get done as well.
 
Obewan said:
(1) Are you new to chickens / when did you first get chickens?
I grew up around chickens on my grandparents farm. I had my own flock of about 80 birds about a decade ago, but had to move from the family farm, so that flock was given to a neighbor - along with the coop and run. Since it is only me now, and I have purchased my own place - I plan on keeping this new flock small at around 5-8 birds. The number will fluctuate as I intend to try breeding for continued independent propagation of my flock and those around me without relying on outside sources. Breeding chickens is something I have never done before.

(2) How many chickens do you have right now?
None - I should have my first couple of birds in mid to late April.

(3) What breeds do you have?
I'm still kinda narrowing the list, but I think I've settled on starting this new flock with a Wyandotte (I prefer gold-laced, if I can get them), and an Orpington (I would prefer a Black Orpington but will probably settle for a Buff) my fallback for this year would be a White Rock or possibly a Plymouth Rock - probably in that order. Next year I would like to pick up an Australorp or an Americauna or one of the others mentioned that I did not get this year. I loved my leghorns from my previous flock, but I did have some minor issues with the rooster, and one or two hens, with frostbite. So while the issue was relatively mild, they just didn't want to get out of the snow when they were left to free range, I don't really want to deal with that again if I can keep from it, so being more selective about breed choice is my answer to that concern. I'm also slightly leaning more towards pea comb bird breeds for that reason as well, but some breeds I am just drawn to - so who knows.

(4) What are your favorite aspects of raising backyard chickens?
They really do require very little "maintenance" if you set everything up correctly, provide them with some free range access to get the bugs, and choose breeds that are suited for your climate. Of course fresh eggs are the best! ...and I must admit, I do like the interaction with my birds - I've always had good experiences with all of the chickens I've ever been around... Tho the Rhode Island Reds in my previous flock did sometimes appear to be more aggressive towards the other birds than I would have liked.

(5) What are some of your other hobbies?
Woodworking, Miniatures, Healthy Living (as much as I can), my Orchard and Berry Patch, Movies, and Educating Myself.

(6) Tell us about your family, your other pets, your occupation, or anything else you'd like to share:
Small business owner in a small town with no dogs, no cats, and no other pets.... other than chickens soon!

(7) Bonus: How did you find BYC, how long have you known about BYC, and what made you finally join our awesome community?
I've been here before but couldn't remember my access - and since I probably used an email address I don't have access to anymore - I needed to create a new account. I was originally a member somewhere back around 2012-2013-ish.
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Welcome into BYC!!
 

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