Hello!

We are so new to chickens, we do not have any yet. But, I have read and read, researched online, visited the poultry exhibt at the Mo State Fair every year. We are wanting to have layers.

I have been a beekeeper for many years, we have dogs, cats and a couple of parakeets too. We moved 3 years ago from Kansas City to rural Odessa Mo. We have 3 grown sons, one married with 5 sons of his own, another in the Missouri Army National Guard and the youngest working on his Phd at MU/Columbia (go Tigers!). The two younger ones we homeschooled.

The small farm we bought was basically not tended to for many years. It has a great barn, had a rotted chicken coop and fallen broken electric fencing. We moved our city bees out to the country and have much more brushhogging to do.

Presently we have about 28" of snow on the ground, so outdoor building isn't happening right now. I am debating buying a kit or using some sort of a plan to build a coop. I am thinking enough for 6-8 chickens.

Our local feed store is having chick days this coming Saturday. I plan to keep the chicks either in the garage or in the house depending on the temperature.

Any and all advice would be greatly appreicated.
I bet this is like beekeeping, you ask 10 beekeepers an opinion you get 15 answers!

Thanks!

Martha