HELP!!!!! I'm lost, confused, and chickenless.

[okallthis4eggs]

Hello friends. Seems I got inflicted with this desire to own chickens. Always wanted to but don't know why. And since birds of a feather flock together.......well here I am. I been stealing your ideas here to construct my coop. Have it under roof now and ready to start building the run. I will have to post pictures when its complete because I think I will own some very lucky chickens to have such a nice place to live. However I will need lots of expert advice from you all. I can do this but need your help. Its been a lot of fun so far building the coop. And what makes me know i'm hooked is I have no fear of chicken poop. In fact looking forward to it (composter). The animals I love, and the eggs will just be a fringe benefit. Is that messed up or what? Do I need a doctor or am I just one of you?

 

[Egghead_Jr]

Spring is here and chick fever is in the air. All the feed stores in my region get chicks first of May. Don't hesitate to pick them up because your coop and run aren't complete. They really don't need much in the begining, a plastic tote, shreaded newpsaper or pine shavings, small feed and water dispenser and a light. The light can be a simple clamp on with 60 to 100W incandescent. No need for the expensive heat lamps.

As eggs are only a fringe benefit you'll really enjoy raising the birds from chicks. They'll be much easier to handle and probably spoiled to the point of needy by the time they've grown up. Once you've got your chicks you still have 4 weeks or more to finish your coop and run as they need to feather out before you can put them outside without heat.

Chickens are great, each has a personality and they are always up to something so fun to watch. We're starting our third year here.

 

[okallthis4eggs]

Thats good advice. My thinking was get everything done before the chickens move in. But you make a good point by getting them now and letting them grow up a bit. Actually the coop will house them now and nothing can get to them but I understand about keeping them warm. My coop is 8 feet by 10 feet inside. I'm thinking I want six hens and not decided if I want a rooster because of the noise. My first thought of the choices of breeds is two buffs, two barred rocks, and two RIR's. Or should I stick to the same breeds? How noisey will a rooster be in this enviroment? Morning crowing is fine but really don't want one if he raises hell all day lol. I know nothing so I will take any advice.

 

[Zany Chick]

You are so much more organized and prepared than I am. I've had chicks for 2 1/2 weeks in a cardboard box in my "grandkids" room. My coop, a list of materials, but going shopping and getting started this weekend. Have lots of help, hopefully that will be a positive thing I say, get some chicks!

 

[CorinneP]

That will be a nice Big Chicken coop for only 6 hens (bet you end up with more ) Its Chicken Math .. Two of each it a nice mix and I love all three of those breeds .. I Thought I should tell you be careful about adding too much Poop to a Garden it can be too strong and burn your veggies .. and Flowers etc.. I like to let mine mix with other goodies when I am composting ..Mulch down for quite a while ..

You certainly sound like you Fit right in here ! ~ Corinne NY

 

[okallthis4eggs]

Hey you gotta start somewhere. But you probably don't want them roosting on the ceiling fan in the bedroom so you better get busy lol. Good luck with that project. I need chicks

 

[okallthis4eggs]

Thanks for the advice CorrineP . My plan is to add it to the compost bin and let it work its magic there for a while. Then to the garden. Yor probably right about the numbers. Wanted to keep it simple until I figure this all out. I built it a little big with that in mind.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Welcome to the forum! Glad you joined us!

You'll find that you get a lot of differing advice on here. Chickens are really adaptable and many different things work. It's usually not so much that the different advice is wrong as much as so many different things work. We all have different goals and different set-ups. You just have to sort through it and decide which advice fits your situation.

I think it is really wise to be prepared before you start. All it takes is some emergency or some bad weather to mess up a coop-building schedule and they do grow up real fast. I've been there before on building a grow-out coop. Being prepared ahead of time can make your life a lot less stressful as they outgrow the brooder.

I don't suggest depending on those clamps at all regardless of what type of lamp you use. I strongly recommend the lamp be secured with wire or something that cannot be knocked off. Every year you read about coop fires on here. Some those are caused by the clamp failing.

If your coop is ready, with that size you don't need to wait on finishing the run. Your six chicks will be very comfortable in that size coop, even when grown. I do think you should build the run and give them access to the outside, don't get me wrong, but if that coop is finished, you are prepared for chicks.

If you have electricity out there, you can even brood your chicks out there and keep the noise, dust, and possible smell out of your house. For the first week or so just section off an area to keep them contained somewhat close to the light, then let them enjoy the entire coop. As long as they have a warm area to go back to, they will be fine. They do need good draft protection where a breeze is not blowing on them, but it sounds like you can probably manage that.

My brooder is 3' x 6' and in the coop. I just heat one end and let the rest cool off as it will. The first two or three days they stay pretty close to the heat, but before long they are playing all over the brooder. Making it large enough so you heat one area but have the rest cool off lets them choose their own comfort zone.

Many of us have different breeds mixed together. They get along and I think it makes for a nice looking flock. I'm not sure what breed your "buff" is. There are several different breeds that come in buff, but I would expect them to all get along.

The only reason you need a rooster is if you want fertile eggs. Any other reason to have one is just pure personal choice. You'll find some people on here really pleased to have a rooster and other people glad to not have one.

I find that by building it big instead of trying to make it just barely big enough I don't have to work as hard and I have more flexibility in handling things that come up. It sounds like you are making a real good start to what should be a pleasant adventure.

Good luck and again,

 

[okallthis4eggs]

Thanks Ridgerunner lots of good advice there. I am really trying to take the work out of it when building this coop. Clean out door below the roost, Large feeder, Still looking for the best water system that will hold plenty of water and keep it clean. Chicken nipples i'm thinking now but could change my mind. I'm sure they freeze in the winter so would need a back up for cold weather. I ordered the hardware cloth and i'm ready to start the run. Like I said earlier I have used a lot of great ideas I found right here before even joining. Love to talk to you experts about it. Thanks again

 

[4-H chicken mom]

Hi and from Ohio. So glad you're joining in on the fun. We had a rooster that only crowed a few times in the morning and a few times in the evening and then others that started crowing at 4am. No more roos here.