Hey from Orlando!!!

Date sort Score sort
A

aje127

Chirping
10 Years
May 22, 2013
24
13
91
Hi everybody, I'm April and have 2 acres in Orlando that I am in the process of clearing. I don't have any chickens yet but I want to get 5 or 10. Way back when I was 12 we had about 20 chickens on this property. The area that we kept the chickens in is about 25' by 25'. And that is fenced in with chain link fence, but I need to first cut down all the trees and vines that have been allowed to take over the property. Clear out all the junk that was thrown in there, rebuild the hen house and then take more chain link fence and totally enclose the chicken area so its like a really big cage. (I've seen coons and hawks).
I don't remember much about the chickens we had so I am going to need all kinds of advice. I want my chickens to be happy since they are going to be "working" for me, and a happy employee is a productive employee. Right now I am just doing a little research on the best laying hens, since I only want them for eggs. I have been all over you tube for smart/efficient and easy to build hen houses and nesting box ideas, and there are some great ones out there. I'm thinking about making a portable "tractor" (?) out of a cattle panel so I can get the hens sooner than later. It's going to take me awhile to get their living space fixed up. And this way they can help me clear the property a bit.
If you guys could recommend a book or a website that is like a Chicken raising for Dummies type thing that actually spells everything out for me that would be greatly appreciated.
By the way, is there a particular breed that can take the heat of zone 9b? Or do chickens really care how hot it is?

oh and btw, that's NOT my real hair.....lol
 
Last edited:
welcome-byc.gif
Chickens do care how hot it is. -they are much better at surviving cold if they have a well built, dry, draft free coop with proper ventilation. Chain link is good however, raccoons will reach thru the openings - snag body parts and bite off anything they can reach. It's a horrible death for the birds. Its a good idea to run 1/2 inch hardware cloth from ground up 3 feet along all sides to prevent this.

If you are in an area troubled by hawk - even a run top of plain chicken wire, or deer netting will prevent them from dropping down for a snack - they won't risk damaging their wings.
 
Yeah that's why I am going to totally enclose the area with chain link...I have rolls and rolls. the area I'm putting the in is about 25' x 25'. So should I think about installing a ceiling fan in the coop or a box fan somewhere?
 
Thanks. I think I will work on a temporary lodging for chickens this weekend so I can get a couple to get started.
 
I have a silkie roo and a pekin duck female for free if you want them. I'm in Orlando too but I can't have my rooster and I can no longer afford to keep the duck. Let me know!
 
Hi cukooman217
Wish I could help you but I can't have roosters either and I don't have any water for the duck but thanks.
 
Hi and welcome from Texas...that was my next question..but was going to say...."like your hair!" to get a reply..sneaky hu! .hahahaha. I have tons of hawks out here and quick and easy fix is to throw a tree net over the top...at least for now. They sell rolls of folded netting for fruit trees to keep the birds out. It's very inexpensive and super wide. It has worked for me very well. And, it should do until you get your permament place fixed and allow your gals to get outside safely.
welcome-byc.gif
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom