First, this site is just a gold mine of information for the new chicken owner! This spring I fulfilled my wish and got chicks. I constructed a coop inside our small barn and I bought 10 meat birds, 10 assorted silver/gold Wynadottes and 4 Easter eggers. Beginners luck but I only lost one, and that was to the dog. (well, the meat birds have met their maker too, but that was intentional!) I absolutely love them and a couple are real pets.
I do have a couple questions. One is, do roosters typically become aggressive even with the humans? I've got an 8 year old who holds a roo like a baby and I'm worried about him someday pecking her face. Second, we get severe cold here. The barn is not insulated but also houses a horse and donkey. I recently installed a four bulb heating lamp (about five feet off the floor) for winter and will supply plenty of straw. Does this sound sufficient? I can't find any information on just how much cold they can take and i don't think my hubby will allow them in the house!
I do have a couple questions. One is, do roosters typically become aggressive even with the humans? I've got an 8 year old who holds a roo like a baby and I'm worried about him someday pecking her face. Second, we get severe cold here. The barn is not insulated but also houses a horse and donkey. I recently installed a four bulb heating lamp (about five feet off the floor) for winter and will supply plenty of straw. Does this sound sufficient? I can't find any information on just how much cold they can take and i don't think my hubby will allow them in the house!
