Hello from Metro Detroit!!!

[CASH4444]

Hello everyone! Total N00Bs in the chicken raising, but looking forward to the new and exciting life of raising egg layers! So here we go....
(1) Are you new to chickens / when did you first get chickens?
Totally new on a personal, but my mother raised Cochins for years. Just picked up our flock from the local TSC a week ago

(2) How many chickens do you have right now?
2 Rhode Island Reds
2 Orpingtons

(3) What breeds do you have?
see above LoL

(4) What are your favorite aspects of raising backyard chickens?
That's a tough question... Looking forward to my 2 kids (5 & 8) helping and teaching them responsibilities.

AND FRESH EGGS!!!!!

(5) What are some of your other hobbies?
Home improvement, Fish tanks, hunting, fishing

(6) Tell us about your family, your other pets, your occupation, or anything else you'd like to share.
Family of 4. Wife, 2 kids, and myself. 2 dogs, one GSP and one Golden. I'm in engineering by trade.

(7) Bonus: How did you find BYC, how long have you known about BYC, and what made you finally join our awesome community?
Did a google search and y'all popped up. I'm a big fan of online forums and communities for the wealth of knowledge!

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
Have you got your coop and run built and ready to go?

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello there and welcome to BYC!

Aww....they are simply adorable!! If you have any questions about them along the way, be sure and ask. Welcome to our community!

 

[sourland]

Good morning, and welcome to BYC. Good luck with your chicks.

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome to BYC.

Here are some helpful links:

• Great go-to resource - Articles
• Insightful feedback on how members manage their flocks - Topic of the Week back-catalogue

Best wishes

Pork Pie

 

[CASH4444]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
Have you got your coop and run built and ready to go?

Currently working on coop designs / ideas. I'm sure there's a thread on that....

 

[DobieLover]

Currently working on coop designs / ideas. I'm sure there's a thread on that....

Yes. About 20,000!
Take a look through the coop articles section. You may find something there that strikes your fancy.

 

[CASH4444]

Is there a general rule of thumb for sq footage vs how many birds? I plan on building it on stilts in order to utilize space they will be in when not out in the yard.

 

[DobieLover]

Is there a general rule of thumb for sq footage vs how many birds? I plan on building it on stilts in order to utilize space they will be in when not out in the yard.

The standard recommendation is 4 sq ft in the coop and 10 sq ft in the run per bird. IMHO, 10 is too small. I'd try to double that. And a solid roof over the run is a HUGE advantage.
Position the setup on high ground so the run doesn't become a wreaking quagmire after a heavy ran.

 

[Pork Pie]

This link may also assist - Space requirements