Howdy!

[Sue in Crosby TX]

I am at the beginning of the journey with no personal experience. I am reading everything I can get my hands on. My mother always had chickens at least 12 Production Reds at a time for fresh eggs.
So I want to repair her Coop. It has an screened in building with nests and an outer fenced in yard for during the day. My husband wants nothing to do with my chickens because my parents often found snakes in the coop often and that is his Kryptonite - ha ha. The biggest problem was feral cats that would get in the coop and kill the chickens - so I will have to make it super secure. I am looking forward to gleaning knowledge from your posts and benefiting from your advice. I found a source for 15 week laying chickens local but when is the best time to get them? Should I wait until Spring? Our Winters are normally mild here outside of Houston. What do you suggest? I need to give myself a deadline to get the Coop ready and supplies purchased.

 

[Kiki]

Welcome to Backyardchickens.com aka BYC!
We are glad you joined our flock.

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[Kiki]

I am at the beginning of the journey with no personal experience. I am reading everything I can get my hands on. My mother always had chickens at least 12 Production Reds at a time for fresh eggs.
So I want to repair her Coop. It has an screened in building with nests and an outer fenced in yard for during the day. My husband wants nothing to do with my chickens because my parents often found snakes in the coop often and that is his Kryptonite - ha ha. The biggest problem was feral cats that would get in the coop and kill the chickens - so I will have to make it super secure. I am looking forward to gleaning knowledge from your posts and benefiting from your advice. I found a source for 15 week laying chickens local but when is the best time to get them? Should I wait until Spring? Our Winters are normally mild here outside of Houston. What do you suggest? I need to give myself a deadline to get the Coop ready and supplies purchased.

There is a feed store near me that sells point of lay pullets year round...and they pretty much lay year round to. (Production Reds)

 

[N F C]

Making the coop and run secure will be the most important thing you can do before getting the birds. If you need help with that, head on over to the coop/run forum to get your questions answered:
Coop & Run - Design, Construction, & Maintenance

As to when to get the 15 week old chickens, since you're in TX, I would guess you could get them when the coop is ready. You might want to chat with other members in TX to get their opinions:Texas

Best of luck!

 

[oldrooster]

If you check for eggs multiple times of the day, and keep the coop clean of spilled feed the likelihood of finding a snake is reduced. No mice and no eggs=no snake feed, no snake feed then why would they show up?????

 

[Jetblack2004]

It's great to have you here!
Sounds like a good plan! Anytime of the year is fine to get chickens. As N F C said, you could get them when your coop is ready

-Jet

 

[Lazy Farmer]

 

[ChattyChickens4Life]

Welcome to BYC! We are so happy to have you! I hope you enjoy learning more about chickens! There are so many knowledgeable people here at the BYC flock! Best wishes!

 

[Chilly Lizard]

Welcome! Agree. If you check for eggs regularly and use screen with secure tiny holes that will deter predators. We also buried the outer walls of the pen about 4 inches and that has been great. Have fun! He'll fall in love when he sees their great personalities.

 

[rjohns39]

Hi and welcome to BYC We're so happy that you've joined us