Hi everyone :)

[ChelleBelle]

Hi, I just joined Backyard Chickens. I've browsed the site before though. We have 4 baby chicks, they are almost 2 weeks old. We have 2 Rhode Island Reds, 1 black sex link, and 1 red sex link. They are in a brooder made out of a large plastic tub lined with paper towels. We are new to raising chickens. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.. lol
I do have a few questions. Here goes...
We are building a 4'x4' coop with 4 nesting boxes and 2' under for shade. Also a 4'wide x 8' long x 6' tall enclosure attached to the coop. Is that enough space? We also plan to let them out to free range while we're out back with them.
We already want more chicks, we are thinking 2 more. Would it be okay to put new chicks in the brooder with the ones we already have?
And is the enclosure big enough for 6 hens?
It's nice to meet everyone.

 

[trishk35]

where do you live at

 

[BellevueOmlet]

Hi,

Sounds good! You don't need a nesting box for each chickena s they like to share and may all go into the same one at the same time but it will not hurt to have 4 boxes if that is what you want. I hope you enjoy your chickens. Take a lot of pictures!

 

[ChelleBelle]

Trish: I live in Arizona. What about you?
Thanks Bellevue, we are reusing old cabinets for nest boxes and with our design it just looks better with two.. lol I figure if they don't use them all no harm done. I already have taken tons of pictures, they are soo cute I can't help it.

 

[Kevin565]

 

[sumi]

Hello and welcome to BYC

Here's a guide to coop size requirements:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=2132

It's always a good idea to build the coop and run bigger than you need, so when you get more chickens you'll have enough space!
You can add chicks to the ones you already have, just make sure they don't carry any disease/ bugs like mites.

 

[weimarmama]

&

from Alabama. Glad you joined us.

 

[redsoxs]

Greetings from Kansas, ChelleBelle, and

! Great to have you aboard!

 

[ChelleBelle]

Sumi, Thanks for the info. If we add chicks we will get them from the same feed store we got the first 4 from. How do I check for mites?
Weimarmama, Thanks, I'm glad to be here

Thanks Redsox

 

[1muttsfan]

Hi and welcome to BYC from northern Michigan

Use the search function to find info on mites (or the answers to other questions as well)