Hi, we're working on our first month with chickens!

jrvette427

In the Brooder
Jul 28, 2017
2
4
16
Were newbies, and have had our coop (purchased) for about 4 weeks now. We are going to build a new coop next month, with what we have learned so far.
we have 3 acres, plenty of grass, and a garden that is fenced in. The coop we have now is 6 x16, with the coop 6x6, raised about 2 ft off the ground. It Is portable, and we aren't having any problems moving it around.
we are going to build a new coop, bigger, with a bigger run. w have 16 chickens, a mix of 6 Plymouth Rock, 2 Australorps, a couple of leghorns, couple of gold laced wyandottes, and a couple of Rhode Island Reds.
We ae currently getting 6-9 eggs a day, as they just started laying. We ae going to put the new coop in a permanent location, with a run, but let them free range during the day and see how we are with the predators.
I would like to do something like sand/ gravel on the ground of the run, and have been reading a lot of the posts, and it's a little confusing, as a lot of the posts are old.I have a quarry nearby that I can get sand, gravel, etc. in bulk, and have a dump trailer and a small tractor with implements.
Sepcifically, I would like some feedback on ground prep, dig out, or not, fabric/ and or wire for predator protection, more thoughts on sand/gravel mix for the run. No idea will be not considered, as I know there are a lot of different views on this, and welcome everyone's input.
We have 1 pet, a cat we rescued as a kitten, about 8 months old, that is curious about the chickens, but probably would be run off by a dominant hen. We have no rooster, and at this time, have no plans to get one, but are thinking about adding more chickens when we figure out which ones get along and produce.
 
I love this site, and my wife has been browsing it also. Lot of different opinions!
A lot of people really seem to like the "deep litter" method. There r lots if post on the subject. Chickens will quickly turn a run into mud. I like the deep litter method to...after a few months it make great garden compost. I periodically remove small portions to toss in the garden and kerp adding to it. I use Leaves, hay, grass clippings, wood shavings, sand, etc. Chickens really enjoy digging through it to. in my coop. I do much the same..i keep adding shaving, sand..grass clippings..and by winter I have a nice thick layer..then I muck it out in spring..toss all the goodies in my garden.
 

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