- Feb 4, 2013
- 2
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I would like to get chickens this spring/summer I will be ordering from Murray McMurray.
The problem is I have no clue what I am doing! I don't want to buy them and they suffer or die because I was un-prepared.
1. How many? ( we are a family of 10) I was thinking 25 hen and 1 roster. I wanted to get the roster next year but I only want 25 chickens and you have to order at least 15 each order. Do you think this is too many?( why or why not)
2. How do I raise them? I was thinking of getting this http://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/starter_kit.html but I don't know how many can be in one at one time. (any better suggestionsfor brooders?) when do they come out of the circle? where do they go after the brooder? when do they go out side?
3. Food? (I have a TSC near me) What kind of food? when do I change the food for their next stage? vitamins? treats (bugs, yogurt, seeds ect..)? how much/often do I feed them? best way to feed them ( hanging feeder, bowl )? what time of day is best to feed them?
4. bedding? for winter for summer? what kind? how much bedding (how much in the brooder?) how often do you change it? how to change it? do I put it in the run or the coop?
5. The coop/run? I want to have a decorative coop not an eye sore and its going to be permanent. I was thinking of a octagon shaped run with a roof. then the coop would be off 2 of the sides. ( pictured) Is this too big/small for 26 chickens? any tips or tricks for the run or coop?
6. I plan on letting them run in the yard (during the day) next year. we have 3 acres ( fenced in) is this a good or bad Idea? (why)
Any thing You would like to share with me I would LOVE it thank you so much for reading I know I wrote so much.

The problem is I have no clue what I am doing! I don't want to buy them and they suffer or die because I was un-prepared.
1. How many? ( we are a family of 10) I was thinking 25 hen and 1 roster. I wanted to get the roster next year but I only want 25 chickens and you have to order at least 15 each order. Do you think this is too many?( why or why not)
2. How do I raise them? I was thinking of getting this http://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/starter_kit.html but I don't know how many can be in one at one time. (any better suggestionsfor brooders?) when do they come out of the circle? where do they go after the brooder? when do they go out side?
3. Food? (I have a TSC near me) What kind of food? when do I change the food for their next stage? vitamins? treats (bugs, yogurt, seeds ect..)? how much/often do I feed them? best way to feed them ( hanging feeder, bowl )? what time of day is best to feed them?
4. bedding? for winter for summer? what kind? how much bedding (how much in the brooder?) how often do you change it? how to change it? do I put it in the run or the coop?
5. The coop/run? I want to have a decorative coop not an eye sore and its going to be permanent. I was thinking of a octagon shaped run with a roof. then the coop would be off 2 of the sides. ( pictured) Is this too big/small for 26 chickens? any tips or tricks for the run or coop?
6. I plan on letting them run in the yard (during the day) next year. we have 3 acres ( fenced in) is this a good or bad Idea? (why)
Any thing You would like to share with me I would LOVE it thank you so much for reading I know I wrote so much.