Help!

[Chicalina]

Do lots of research before you commit to keeping him. An accidental pet often turns out to be a very temporary one when you realise how much they need looking after.

Your place sounds fine. If you keep him, then dont bother with a small coop "for now". Get a coop 2 or 3 times as big as you think you need. Trust me, you'll be glad you did. You'll end up with more via "chicken math" and overcrowding causes big problems. Next thing you know, you'll be building a new double garage sized coop to house them all in, lol.

 

[The Happster]

I personally wouldn't go for that coop either. He's going to need more space than that during the day anyway.
And you will want more chickens.
I would actually get a smallish garden shed, and then either build a pen or let him free range during the day.
I have four separate groups of chickens. I use two pens for the day, and alternate two groups to be free ranging.
If you have a front garden that is walled with a gate like I have, that could work during the day while you're around.
It's great you're willing to try this.
If it doesn't work out, good on you for trying.

 

[tn_artist]

Excellent! Thank you!
BTW, WOW, you have a huge flock!

It's an addiction, beware! You will probably become familiar with the term "chicken math". Although I had chickens in the 80-90s and again in 2005-2010, this time I was just going to have four egg layers to educate my daughters on raising and keeping chickens. Almost two years later, here we are.

 

[CaliChris10]

Well we tried the smaller coop in the back property, he hated it and did't want to be back there. So he is back in the front garden, he loves it there, tons of space, shade, plants, trees etc...his little house is on our covered patio, every evening he comes to the gate to go into his house. Seems to be working I reached out to a few ranches because I thought he might be lonely but no one wanted a roo. Now I am attached to him Thanks for all of your advice!

 

[tamdeva]

I hope this is the right place to post this thread...
This beauty showed up in my front yard garden. I have never had chickens and I have so many questions lol.
I thought it was a hen but a family member thought he heard a crow this morning, first time in 5 days. So now I am questioning my original guess.
I bought some crumbles and scratch. Also I have been giving "her" (named her Luna, that might have to change that lol) fruits and veggies and lots of cold water cause it is super hot here in Ojai, CA. Good thing the garden has lots of shade. It was *110 yesterday.
Would love some input on breed and sex. And where I should go from here. Should I get friends? A coop?
Thanks in advance!

Looks like a young rooster. Maybe some jerk dumped him off because he is a he. Or maybe the big Roo chased him off. Get him a coop and some girls! Enjoy!

 

[Pullet Press]

I was wondering what happened to this thread. I'm glad that *insert name here* is doing fine.

 

[CaliChris10]

I was wondering what happened to this thread. I'm glad that *insert name here* is doing fine.

His name is Diego-Luna. Luna was his name when I thought he was a she So we added Diego. He comes running when he hears his name. So damn cute!