MADPolChicks1022
In the Brooder
Hello, my name is Mary and we live in Southern Maryland. I just joined today. I've had chickens, guineas and turkeys for about 7 years now. Ordered my first mail order chicks this April. I first started off with 6 guineas (to keep the bugs and ticks down) and then a couple turkeys (because they just looked cool!). I got them from a fellow co-worker. My one turkey, Thelma, was a good Momma, she hatched out guinea eggs as I never had a Tom so when she got broody I would collect up the guinea eggs and put them next to her and she would tuck them right under, LOL. My neighbor then loved our guys so much they got some guineas, turkeys and chickens of their own. A couple years later they moved and we inherited their flock! This year I wanted to try some different breeds so I ordered some Bielefelder, Blue Americana and Polish chicks from Cackle Hatchery. All are doing great and hopefully will start laying next month.
I purchased a used 6x8 shed and am working on re-purposing it to a coop. I've been Googling coop plans and ideas which lead me to BYC. Boy have I found some great ideas. My first coop run had the rigid RedBrand fencing and I loved it. Although most my guineas just roosted in the trees at night. When I inherited the neighbor's coop and run it was the chain link style with the chicken netting. So I purchased a 2nd one to introduce her flock to my flock. Please note, if you have goats and let them roam to eat down the weeds and poison ivy, they will push their way through the netting to get to the chicken feed! I could not believe it when my male goat, Skittles, did this! That never happened with my rigid fence run. My previous coop run framing was starting to rot in some places so I figured I'd give this other style a try while I rebuild the other panels. The side walls are shorter with the chain link run. I wrap my run in plastic in the winter to help keep the flock warmer and keep the wind chill down. I did find some 4'x20' tarps that work perfectly for wrapping the run. I need to get cracking on my new coop so everyone has a place to nest and roost. I've made all these plans and bought a bunch of wood so now time to get started! So I already mentioned the goats, we are down to 2, we also have 4 horses, 3 dogs, 4 cats and 2 rabbits.
Hello everyone can't wait to learn and communicate with all my fellow bird friends!
I purchased a used 6x8 shed and am working on re-purposing it to a coop. I've been Googling coop plans and ideas which lead me to BYC. Boy have I found some great ideas. My first coop run had the rigid RedBrand fencing and I loved it. Although most my guineas just roosted in the trees at night. When I inherited the neighbor's coop and run it was the chain link style with the chicken netting. So I purchased a 2nd one to introduce her flock to my flock. Please note, if you have goats and let them roam to eat down the weeds and poison ivy, they will push their way through the netting to get to the chicken feed! I could not believe it when my male goat, Skittles, did this! That never happened with my rigid fence run. My previous coop run framing was starting to rot in some places so I figured I'd give this other style a try while I rebuild the other panels. The side walls are shorter with the chain link run. I wrap my run in plastic in the winter to help keep the flock warmer and keep the wind chill down. I did find some 4'x20' tarps that work perfectly for wrapping the run. I need to get cracking on my new coop so everyone has a place to nest and roost. I've made all these plans and bought a bunch of wood so now time to get started! So I already mentioned the goats, we are down to 2, we also have 4 horses, 3 dogs, 4 cats and 2 rabbits.
Hello everyone can't wait to learn and communicate with all my fellow bird friends!
![IMG_6297[15037].jpg](/data/attachments/3518/3518626-e967e1afac009d29b67b2f86ef434a04.jpg)
![IMG_7064[15044].jpg](/data/attachments/3518/3518628-2928cbe28acf1023321e0967d0701b31.jpg)
Glad you joined.
Thanks for sharing. Make yourself at home here and if you have any questions about anything, be sure to ask.
