Kalobis
Songster
Hello everyone!
I am in Nova Scotia and looking to get into backyard chickens! I live in the suburbs on a couple of acres, so there is plenty of space for them. I broke ground on an 8x4 coop with an attached 16x8 run with the intent to let them free range when we are home to deter predators, but with enough space they can stay in their run if I am away. Lots of foxes, bobcats, hawks, eagles, raccoons, etc.
This will be my first time raising chickens, but I am a chronic over-preparer. The coop will be shed style on a concrete pad to keep borrowers out, with the run enclosed with a roof and hardware cloth dug in a foot or two. The run will be earth floor, but will put their food/water/entertainment inside. Leaning towards coffee grounds for the poop tray / coop floor as I have free access to as much as I want and the means to dry them out.
The initial plan is to have 6-8 hens and are on the fence about a rooster. We are looking into breeds for the weather, as well as egg-laying. Currently torn between Buff Orpingtons and Rhode Island Reds, but leaning towards the buffs because my children (4 & 7) want to be able to hold them, etc.
We would like to get them as chicks and raise them into hens so my kids can see and help with the process. We plan to get the chicks in Mar/Apr so they will be old enough to go to the coop when the weather is nice in June.
I have already learned a great deal from this site, and look forward to learning more! If you have any initial tips or pointers, please let me know!
Thanks in advance,
- K
I am in Nova Scotia and looking to get into backyard chickens! I live in the suburbs on a couple of acres, so there is plenty of space for them. I broke ground on an 8x4 coop with an attached 16x8 run with the intent to let them free range when we are home to deter predators, but with enough space they can stay in their run if I am away. Lots of foxes, bobcats, hawks, eagles, raccoons, etc.
This will be my first time raising chickens, but I am a chronic over-preparer. The coop will be shed style on a concrete pad to keep borrowers out, with the run enclosed with a roof and hardware cloth dug in a foot or two. The run will be earth floor, but will put their food/water/entertainment inside. Leaning towards coffee grounds for the poop tray / coop floor as I have free access to as much as I want and the means to dry them out.
The initial plan is to have 6-8 hens and are on the fence about a rooster. We are looking into breeds for the weather, as well as egg-laying. Currently torn between Buff Orpingtons and Rhode Island Reds, but leaning towards the buffs because my children (4 & 7) want to be able to hold them, etc.
We would like to get them as chicks and raise them into hens so my kids can see and help with the process. We plan to get the chicks in Mar/Apr so they will be old enough to go to the coop when the weather is nice in June.
I have already learned a great deal from this site, and look forward to learning more! If you have any initial tips or pointers, please let me know!
Thanks in advance,
- K
