Hello I'm a new member I live in Tempe, Arizona - I'm planning my coop and chickens. Help please!

[MMSculpture]

I am super excited about getting chickens. I've been babysitting my neighbors chickens - on and off for a couple years - and my son and I are having so much fun feeding, petting, and getting eggs. I'm planning my coop and flock right now. I've gotten some basic advice, but welcome more.

I'm thinking about building the "Garden Coop" - thoughts?

And I'd like to get a mixed flock to try out different birds - all the same age-ish 0-4 weeks.
1 lavendar orpington
1 buff polish
1 ameracauna
1 barred rock
1 copper maran
1 cochin

I want friendly, pretty chickens, that lay eggs and are nice to each other. We will not eat the chickens they will be pets.

I have a grass yard with plants, vegetable garden, lots of trees, cactus. I plan on cooping the birds at night and letting them run free during the day. Here's a pic of my son and my mom I plan on putting the coop in that shady spot on the left side of the picture. I'ts almost 100% shade all day, it's by far the shadiest coolest part of the yard.



Any thought about my set up before I set it up would be wonderful
Thanks! This forum looks great!

 

[drumstick diva]

If you go to "where am I, where are you," in the social forum you can locate and post your questions on your state thread. People from your area can best instruct you on what has to be done so your birds can survive the HOT climate. Chickens are much more tolerant of cold than heat, some breeds will do better in your locale than others. They will be able to council you on which ones do best and what type of coop etc.

 

[TwoCrows]

Welcome to BYC!

You have picked a very nice group of birds that will give you a nice colorful egg basket! If you need any tips and hints on raising your new brood, stop by our learning center here on BYC for lots of great reads on all the aspects of keeping poultry...

https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center

Enjoy this new adventure you are on and welcome to our flock!

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! Sounds like you have a pretty flock of chickens picked out! I would be a little concerned with the polish, their crest feathers are often picked on by other chickens and they do tend to be a little spooky, check out the member reviews on them .https://www.backyardchickens.com/products/polish/reviews
That looks like a nice spot in the yard you have picked out, you could post pictures of the yard and your ideas in the Coop/Run design section for suggestions or ideas https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/9/coop-run-design-construction-maintenance
And X3 on check out your state thread for what works for people in your area so far as coops etc go with the weather https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/31227/arizona-chickens

 

[gander007]

BYC has a very useful learning center

Wish you well in all your poultry ventures

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

Welcome to BYC.

Glad you joined us!

 

[liz9910]

Welcome to BYC! You've received some excellent advice here! Good luck to you.

 

[MMSculpture]

Hello

and Welcome To BYC! Sounds like you have a pretty flock of chickens picked out! I would be a little concerned with the polish, their crest feathers are often picked on by other chickens and they do tend to be a little spooky, check out the member reviews on them .https://www.backyardchickens.com/products/polish/reviews
That looks like a nice spot in the yard you have picked out, you could post pictures of the yard and your ideas in the Coop/Run design section for suggestions or ideas https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/9/coop-run-design-construction-maintenance
And X3 on check out your state thread for what works for people in your area so far as coops etc go with the weather https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/31227/arizona-chickens

Thanks! I'm going to check out these links. I don't want any of my chickens getting bullied. So as pretty as the Polish is it might not be the right bird for me. I will do some more research.