Hi from this Newbee in Maryland

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catjo

catjo

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Hi from Maryland. After years and years of wanting chickens, I've decided I'm not getting any younger and I don't want to wait forever for that house in the country. While we actually live in a pretty rural area, my house is on a 1/3 acre lot in a big subdivision. After much thought, and despite the neighbors, I think it might be a good home to 4 backyard chicken 'pets'. Our town allows small pets -- and they thought chickens 'should be ok.'

I have sooo many questions though. This seems hard to do!?!?

I found a coop that is just big enough, (I think) and is portable to move around the yard. Plus, it won't break the bank at $289. http://www.aosom.com/d-2454/Deluxe-...-Coop-Poultry-Hen-House-w-Run-and-Wheels.html

Is it too late in the summer to start a flock? It will be in the high 90's in a month, and dipping into the 40's by October.

Anyway, I am very grateful to have found this website. Thanks for letting me join you. -C
 
Greetings from Kansas, catjo, and
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! Great to have you with us! Glad you are taking the poultry plunge!! And no, it never to late to start a flock. 90's is hot but there are a lot of chickens being raised in Las Vegas and Arizona so it can be done. Breeze, shade, and cool water. You might have to search a little harder for chicks (if you are starting with chicks) than you would have in the spring but hatcheries still have a lot of variety. If you go the hatchery route, below is a link. I've always had luck with Murray McMurray but to each their own. Good luck and have fun!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/16/chicken-breeders-hatcheries
 
I would suggest you start sooner than I did; I bought my very first chicks on October 1, 2009. The weather changed for the worse when *I* should have been ready to put them outside, so I kept them in until January. :rolleyes:

If you get chicks, Summer is okay as they need supplemental heat 24/7 until they are fully feathered, but you won't have to heat them at night by the time they are ready to go outside and live in their coop.

I know the coop you are buying; it would be good for four BANTAM hens. Two large fowl. Unless you let them free range during the day and lock them in the pen & coop at night. Then four would be okay.

But that coop is smaller than you think. I use one JUST like that for segregation/integration of youngsters I add to the flock, but not for full time housing. The main coop is a refurbished garage structure. ( I have over 75 birds now).

Oh, and welcome to BYC! This is THE chicken resource for poultry keeping folks!
 
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Wow such good info, Red and Gry. That's exactly the feedback I need. Thank you.

Perhaps I need to go back to the drawing board on the coop. I really need something prefab (we are NOT handy folks) and portable to move around the yard. My 4 girls will probably not be able to free range, lest they end up in a nearby yard.

Maybe I need to do more research. I'm trying to do this the best way possible. It seems overwhelming.
 
Hello & Welcome to BYC!
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So glad to have you with us! You might want to check on craigslist for coops. I've seen some great ones in my area that people just don't want anymore. I've seen them for pretty low prices & also free. Good luck to you!

 

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