How many chickens for a first timer?

[dmclalin]

My stall has only been used by horses. I have swept it out and brushed down the walls. i was thinking of bleaching everything, but a saw an article about white washing. Should I white wash the walls with lime to make sure it is disinfected and also brighten the walls? We use lime after stripping horse stalls and then put down bedding over it. Can I use the same process with DLM. Is the lime on the white wash still toxic after it dries and sits for several days?
What we use for lime is not hydrated lime, it is a little more granular and grayish color.

 

[claudicles]

I would not be worried about "disinfecting" it. Unless you have ever kept diseased chickens in there there should not be anything to worry the chickens. Personally I think chickens immune systems are much better than people give them credit for. They regularly eat tidbits out of dirt, and happily scratch through horse poop for the best bits. As for the colour, increasing the light in there is likely to increase the number of months your chickens lay for.

 

[dsqard]

Quote:
I can personally vouch for the pecking through the horse poo for the best bits.

If all you have had in the stalls is horses, you shouldn't have anything to worry about. The only question I have for you is do you have another empty stall? Chickens are very addicting.

 

[Midwest Lizabeth]

You should be fine with 10 chickens. It's not clear if you intend to use the stall as a coop or as a coop and their run. If you plan to let them out in the day to freerange, you could have many more. We ordered an ornmental layer collection (got 26/two were roos) from Murrary McMurray. We're still trying to decide our favorite breeds. If you like different colored eggs and aren't sure what kinds of chickens that you want, that might be something you'd want to try. If you're only after quantity of eggs, probably not the best way to go. We like the heritage/rare breeds and our chickens are an interesting hobby. Chickens are like equines in that they all seem to have their own personalities. . .some are dumb. . . some are friendly. . .and some can be mean.

If you are starting with chicks, you probably need the brooder things (lamp, etc.). We used two old oval stock tanks as our brooder confinement area. When the chicks were little, we'd keep them in one tank, setting up the other one with clean shavings--swapping back & forth. (I am guessing you might have some old stock tanks. . .you know the pesky ones with the little leaks that no longer hold water.)

We use a mix of stall dry, pine shavings, ag lime on the floors our coops on top of vinyl flooring (quite similiar to stall mats).

Consider your pest control measures and as both rats and racoons like chicken. Most horse barns seem to have both. To keep chickens safe, I'd think "tack stall" with roosts, nest boxes and good ventilation. I've mucked many a horse stall, and you've got a very nice set up.

We've had animals for many years, chickens for only a couple of years. One thing I didn't consider was that chickens need care every a.m. and every p.m. . . .a horse on quality pasture with good water. . .you can ask your neighbor to call you if they see a problem and sneak away for a weekend without having to get a sitter. If all your horses are in stalls. . . you're already some "trapped". . .

Keep plugging away reading this website as there are many good ideas. Good luck with the chickens. . .be warned. . .they are addictive.

 

[dmclalin]

Quote:
I can personally vouch for the pecking through the horse poo for the best bits.

If all you have had in the stalls is horses, you shouldn't have anything to worry about. The only question I have for you is do you have another empty stall? Chickens are very addicting.

Uh, 6 more? LOL

 

[dmclalin]

Quote:
Thanks Lizabeth. I have all the equipment I need for brooders, and all the materials to make roosts, nest boxes, etc. I just need to get some waterers and feeders. I do need to install 1/2 wire mesh around the base, I'm going to install mesh around the upper horse bars and across the rafters up above to varmint proof. I want their coop to be pretty inpenetrable and a save haven. I really wasn't goinng to have a run because I have so much room. I plan on letting the chickens out to free range every day, but I wanted a large enough coop area so when we get those nasty Jan and Feb ice storms in Michigan, I can just keep them comfortable in the stall. I have electric and water in the barn plus front and rear barn doors, so I can even let them out in the aisle on bad weather days to get some exercise.

I have been studying for several months, and I would like to try a couple rarer breeds to help expand the breed. I have my eye on Buckeyes and Javas, but I am also really drawn to Barred Rocks (I just think they are so beautiful - can't help myself). Egg color really doesn't matter to me, but since I live alone, I want to sell the surplus to help cover feed costs. So I'm not sure whether to add a couple White Leghorns and maybe an Easter egger too. I want to stay small because I want to be able to stay in control of what I have. I also plan on watching them during free range because we do have hawks, coyotes, foxes, racoons and any number of other wild critters. I even had snapping turtles take the 6 baby geese that were staying in our acre pond and I have also lost a couple Red Sand Hill Crane babies to nature as well.

I also still have 6 horses and nine paddocks (yup plenty of manure that needs scratching and shredded) to care for and 25 acres of grass to keep cut (yup plenty of grass clippings). I love where I am, I am just sorry I had to wait 60 years to get here. Thank you Lord, I am at peace.

 

[Midwest Lizabeth]

Sounds like you're all set to put together a really nice place for your chickens. Those will be some pampered chickens!

I wouldn't get "Easter Eggers" if I lived where you live. If you want pretty blue eggs, keep your eyes peeled on the Saginaw Craiglist in June and keep looking for Ameraucanas--they are the real deal from one of the top breeders in the country. You should be able to purchase quality hens for about $10 each for grown birds. . .I almost drove to Michigan last June to buy them. He sells much of his stock after he's done with the spring hatches for chicks. Google chickhatchery Birch Run to learn more. I paid a small fortune for some of the day old chicks last year. Good luck with your chicken adventures!

You're so lucky to have cranes, sorry some were lost. We mow the grass just around our drive and house where our chickens "free range" inside a chain linked fenced yard. Our other grass that's not used for animal pasture gets mowed, raked, & bailed to feed the hoofed livestock in winter. I want to let the chickens out into the pastures with our horses/cattle, but we've got one dog that I worry about. When the dog gets older (he is a livestock guardian dog), I plan to let the chickens out to pick through the manure. There are so many neat kinds of chickens, it is hard to decide. Good luck!

 

[dmclalin]

There has been some changes on the coop to be used. You can see that in this thread: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/621618/converting-stall-to-coop-need-feed-back#post_8382779
I still plan on about 10 Java Chickens and maybe a couple of Guineas.

 

[claudicles]

Good idea to just stick with one breed if you are planning to breed from them. You want have to worry about segregation, multiple roosters etc.