Howdy from the metroplex

[TK111]

Joined today, but have been lurking for months. So much fantastic info here.

My wife somehow spontaneously became affixed on the idea of owning chickens at the beginning of this year, which I laughed/scoffed at until happening on this site. Been obsessed ever since. After looking at pre fab coops for awhile, finally decided to wing it on my own build. Been quite the adventure.

We have 4 ladies (the max we can have legally, unfortunately). A buff orp, black sex-link, speckled sussex, and blue wyandotte. They are very close to laying age so we are hoping to see our first eggs soon.

It's been fun watching the crooked faces of people we tell that we have chickens now. We live right in the center of dallas-ft worth practically under the shadow of Cowboys stadium, so about as urban as you can be with a house and yard here. Been a blast.

Thanks for all of your contributions. Will put up some pictures asap.

 

[chickens r life]

Wow!! So glad you could join!!

 

[JodiSweat]

I am brand new today, as well! My husband and I live southeast of Kaufman, so we areally close. We have five Rhode Island Red hens, three Plymouth Barred Rock hens and one little bitty Bantam rooster named Stew.

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

Hi

Glad you could join the flock! Lovely to hear you are enjoying your new hobby of keeping chickens. It really is a super hobby, lots of fun and very rewarding too. I hope you get those first eggs soon, it really can seem to take an age for them to arrive. But once you find those little treasures I'm sure you will be checking all the time for them!! Looking forward to seeing your pics of girls, that's a lovely mix of ladies you have there.

Wishing you the very best of luck in the future, be sure to ask any questions that you may have, everyone here to help and very friendly.

Enjoy BYC and all the chicken chat

 

[TK111]

Our coop-

About 20 sqft of coop + 40 sqft of enclosed run. They get to run around the yard for awhile when we get home from work. There is a 2x4 keeping one of the side doors sealed shut in the picture...i wasnt 100% confident in the way it closed at first.

The coop is on 4 wheels so we can move it easily when needed. The run can detach and it is fairly light for 2 people to move. We've since added some pvc feeders to the run.

 

[trailrider330]

Welcome to the BYC flock! We are glad you joined us!

 

[ninjawesome]

WELCOME to BYC!

 

[drumstick diva]

Glad you joined us at Backyard Chickens. How does your dog feel about them?

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!

 

[TK111]

Glad you joined us at Backyard Chickens.  How does your dog feel about them?

3 dogs - One completely ignores the chickens, even when theyre free-ranging.

The other two...We trained them to stay away from the coop with e-collars. Gave them a zap whenever they went close so now they avoid it like the plague. I have to put them somewhere in the house where they cant even see the backyard when the chickens are free-ranging. One of the dogs will hyperventilate himself with anticipation if he can see them.