help me decide!

[lauriruth]

my 3 babies are arriving around the end of Aug. and prep is underway. i live in a neighborhood on a a decent size corner lot. i have crushed granite on about 1/2 of it with roses, fish pond, etc. can i build a coop on top of the the crushed granite and wash it down on weekends? or should i try for a moveable coop and drag it around the yard? i'm 62 and alone, so a large one is out of the question. any comments? suggestions?
thanks!

 

[Omran]

Quote:
First of all I would like to welcome you on board

Seconed if you are getting just 3 chicks and no morein future, then I would build for them a little tractor that way they can enjoy some of the grass.

Good Luck.

Omran

 

[WestTexasFarmboy]

I agree with Omran, although it's mighty hard to stop once the chicken urge gets ahold of you. So you might find yourself with more than 3 in the future. That said, you can always upgrade, so I think a lightweight tractor on wheels that you could move by yourself would be marvelous to start out with. If you build on gravel, I foresee a real problem with cleanup longterm.

 

[lauriruth]

Thanks Omran and WT Farmboy! city ordinances here in San Antonio only allow for 3 fowl, so i'll be sticking with my Black Star, Red Star and Buff O. ! i do plan on letting them free range around the yard occasionally. now worrying about plant poisoning! the "mother thing" has already kicked in...

 

[MidnightChickenLover]

you could easily have a chicken tractor. There are many on the market, I have seen some go very expensive though. With three chickens there wouldn't be much needed to make a nice shelter for them though. Are you willing to build one? Is there anyone to help you?

Your going to love your buff orpington. they are sweet and patient little things. The production hens are very nice birds too, very trainable.

 

[Zahboo]

You can get a tractor with wheels and a handle

 

[lauriruth]

thanks to midnight CL and Zahboo. i'm going to build an ark style coop. no, i have no one to help, but i'm a determined lady...it may take me a while, but i'll get it done!

chicks don't arrive until the end of Aug. can't wait!

 

[g_a_brand]

I agree with the other posts, a small tractor would be fine, and I have faith you will build a great one (us ladies have to stick together )
We want to see pics of your coop as you build it tho and welcome to the best place for advice on anything to do with chickens
--------------------------------------------------- -
If you can Dream it ... You can do It

2 boys, 1 great hubby, 2 labs, 1 fussy cat, 7 white rocks, 2 dark cornish, 2 barred rocks, 3 black australorps, 6 rhode lsland reds , and a huge tank of fish

( I must be crazy hubby is already planing the next coop

)
Gwen

 

[Zahboo]

Wheels make everything better. It's hard sliding a tractor by yourself if you have a holey yard. TRUUUST me lol