Check with a buy and sell paper at the local supermarket for a used 6 X 8 ft dog kennel. You can usually get one for about 20 bucks. Then use rebars to form an arch covering it, followed by chickenwire for protection and finally some flexible sheet metal for a roof. A 7 ft 2 X 2 should take care of the roost and then two 5 gallon buckets can be strapped to the wire, so long as it has holes for drainage and something blocking the front, so the eggs don't roll out.
That arrangement will allow you to use whatever breed you choose, so long as you keep it small and basic. You can drag it around looking for fresh grass from time to time, provided you have help and it should be small enough that leaving with it when you relocate would not be out of the question.
That will also protect you garden from the chickens, which will almost certainly eat your vegs up. You might even want to use them in the future site of a garden to do some cleaning up for you first.
I am in LA and I do fine with Med. varieties. I didn't check you on a map, but I find those varieties are very good layers, although a little crazy.
I hear that you can rescue egg layers from dog food companies for very little money after they are over a year old (although I consider that a terrible waste on the part of the chicken farmer that got rid of them). That would be a sure way of getting eggs fast, if you can find an egg farm or feed company.
The Indians that raised Araucanas in Chili, believed that their birds faired well against preditors due to the rumpless trait. I know of an araucana farmer in MS that might be able to help you if that is what you decide.
I wish you much success with this venture.
That arrangement will allow you to use whatever breed you choose, so long as you keep it small and basic. You can drag it around looking for fresh grass from time to time, provided you have help and it should be small enough that leaving with it when you relocate would not be out of the question.
That will also protect you garden from the chickens, which will almost certainly eat your vegs up. You might even want to use them in the future site of a garden to do some cleaning up for you first.
I am in LA and I do fine with Med. varieties. I didn't check you on a map, but I find those varieties are very good layers, although a little crazy.
I hear that you can rescue egg layers from dog food companies for very little money after they are over a year old (although I consider that a terrible waste on the part of the chicken farmer that got rid of them). That would be a sure way of getting eggs fast, if you can find an egg farm or feed company.
The Indians that raised Araucanas in Chili, believed that their birds faired well against preditors due to the rumpless trait. I know of an araucana farmer in MS that might be able to help you if that is what you decide.
I wish you much success with this venture.
I'm exhausted imagining moving several tractors, even daily or several days a week to manage the ground damage. Since you are home, maybe you could consider what we do: have the flock with coop inside strong fencing (we have a chain link 20 x 20 area but dog kennel panels would also work and be movable for later relocation) and let them out to free range when you are also outdoors to supervise. We too have 3 acres, but our hens have settled into a free range area that is close by their "home." They come back reliably after a period of ranging or hang just outside the fence. So many options for you to think about before shopping for your hens! ~G
