Hello I'm New!

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GraceAK

GraceAK

Songster
10 Years
Nov 28, 2009
410
5
121
Eagle River, AK
Good Morning!

I just got my account today, and I dont have Chickens yet, but I'm working on it
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My mom had chickens 25 or some years ago (her first year in AK), and they all got killed before they ever layed eggs, and for that reason she is reluctant to let me get chickens (even though I'd pay for all of it).

This is my plan. Let me know if it's rotten at all:

I'll get my chickens....
7 hens (Welsummer, SLW, BO, Australorp, Cochin, Barred Rock, EE) from AK Mill & Feed or just "around"
1 Rooster (for protection from dogs, bears)- I dont know which kind of rooster I want, but I'll probably get him from some other chickener who thought they were getting a pullet.

I will keep them in a coop under my deck where they will be safe from Wind, Hawks, Etc. and the entire run will be triple fenced (heavy wire fence, chicken wire, hardware cloth).

The coop will be insulated with Blueboard Styrofoam, and...... *does mental math* 32 square feet at least. How tall does the interior space have to be? 2 ft? 1.5? EDIT: Also, I will keep in mind ventilation (which is important!)
Their Run will be nearly 280 square feet.

I live on the border of the chugach nat. forest, and am worried about bears in the spring & fall. They are very strong, but skiddish also. will a rooster run them off?


ANYWAY I'm rambling. D:
Finally, I would like to know if there are any BYC'ers in my area, so I could maybe visit and get some experience with chickens before I get them. If there is anyone, please let me know.
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Welcome!!

Sounds like you have thought this out pretty good! Triple fencing should definately help keep the predators out.

If you dont feel that that is secure enough, you may also want to put a strip of electric fencing around the bottom.



Good Luck!!
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Quote:
H Grace, I live in Palmer,
I don't know if insulating them with just blue board will be warm enough, you might have to provide some heat too.
Bears are a tricky thing, some will run from any sort of commotion others are moer determined to get an easy meal. I have had bears thru my yard, but it's not common and they were on the way to the river so chicken and goats didn't appeal to them (Lucky me!)

A rooster may not deter a bear but it might alert you so you can go out and shoo it away.

The hawks and eagles don't like the light reflecting off of fishing line, You can build the run and then cover it with an old gill net, recycle one that won't work for fish anymore, check at the land fill or transfer station that's where some friends get them. Another friend just ran strands of fishing line over the area and through the trees. Doesn't take a whole lot, but the birds don't trust it so they won't come down to investigate.

I don't know if I answered your questions, I was just running out the door when a friend linked me this post. Let me know if you have more questions. I'll check back here as soon as I get home.

Oh, and
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Michelle
 
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from So California! Seems like youve been giving your chickens and their home alot of good thought. Make the SEARCH box your best friend.
"my wallet is on fire"-after building my coop I know the feeling.
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from Indiana! I had to chuckle when you mentioned a rooster frightening a bear away, because I could only picture Foghorn Leghorn (who in cartoons was the size of a man!). I'm sure that sight would scare me AND the bear!! I hope you get to have your chickens!!!
 
Hi Grace from south of the border.
Your coop plan should also include ventilation, I know that it defeats the purpose of insulation but it is necessary to prevent ice build up. You will also need some heat source to keep their water from freezing. This is probably not the best time of year for you to start out, but if you get through the winter it will be much easier from then on.
 

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