Hello! I quit having chickens because of neighbor kids coming in my yard with their dogs chasing my chickens. Discussions with their parents and my gifts of dozens of eggs did not help. I had tried hatching Ameraucana eggs several times. My last incubated dozen finally yielded one chick!!! I bought 2 barred rock chicks to keep it company. After a few weeks I filled a doghouse with wood shavings. I installed a stainless steel shelf with a red heat lamp. I attached it to a run and put the three chicks in it. I had a feeder and waterer in the run. A few days later I had gone out for the day and returned after dark to find an empty run and nothing else! That was the last straw!! I took all my chickens and equipment to the local auction. Fast forward seven years. I just bought a coop. It is attached (on the outside) to a chain link kennel 6 by 12 feet and six feet tall. The top is covered with chicken wire. I got 2 five month old and four 3 month old RIR pullets. Tonight, while they were sleeping, I added 1 wheaton Ameraucana rooster. 1 wheaton, 1 blue and 1 black Ameraucana hens. I sure hope things work out much better this time. I plan to build a bigger coop and a tractor run by mid autumn.
