My name is Duane. I'm a medically retired US Marine. We just bought our first home together and I'm interested in starting w/ Super Blue Egg Layers to feed my self (my spouse doesn't eat much). I'm looking into coops and runs. I eat about 30 eggs/wk, so... I welcome any hints, suggestions, et cetera. Thank you in advance.
I want to buy my first hens
- Thread starter Superbl3u
- Start date
- Jan 30, 2015
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Hi Duane and welcome to BYC. Here are some helpful links:
Pork Pie
- Great go-to resource - Articles
- Space requirements
- Find other BYC members nearby using the links in my signature, below (turn your phone to landscape to see them).
Pork Pie
Welcome to the BYC Family!!
We love sharing stories and bouncing ideas off each other.
I have 16 Easter Egger hens that lay blue, green, and pink eggs but Easter Eggers don't lay every day, they lay every other or every three days.
I built my own coop instead of a prefab coop since prefab coops aren't accurate with how many chickens it can hold. Looking at the link @Pork Pie listed is a great start to determine how much coop and run space you need.
Depending on where you live... if it is winter right now, you could plan and research all winter and start building in the spring.
You will want to either have construction underway or done before getting the chicks or hens, because they grow fast!! I didn't even start my coop until I came home expectantly with some chicks... I had to get a move on building the coop, and after 3 weekends of work, it was done.
We love sharing stories and bouncing ideas off each other.
I have 16 Easter Egger hens that lay blue, green, and pink eggs but Easter Eggers don't lay every day, they lay every other or every three days.
I built my own coop instead of a prefab coop since prefab coops aren't accurate with how many chickens it can hold. Looking at the link @Pork Pie listed is a great start to determine how much coop and run space you need.
Depending on where you live... if it is winter right now, you could plan and research all winter and start building in the spring.
You will want to either have construction underway or done before getting the chicks or hens, because they grow fast!! I didn't even start my coop until I came home expectantly with some chicks... I had to get a move on building the coop, and after 3 weekends of work, it was done.
Hello and welcome to BYC! 
This is the place for all the fun and learning! @Pork Pie has left you with some great links to investigate. Browse around the forums and definitely feel free to ask as many questions as needed. Welcome to our community!
This is the place for all the fun and learning! @Pork Pie has left you with some great links to investigate. Browse around the forums and definitely feel free to ask as many questions as needed. Welcome to our community!
Hi Duane, it's nice to have you here with us! Thank you for serving
Good advice to get the coop and run built before you get chickens. Sometimes building projects will take longer than planned but chicks just keep growing (and quickly).
Best wishes!
kelzey
Songster
welcome to BYC! people here will give you great advice! don’t be scared to ask lots of questions, there’s always someone willing to help
Hello, Duane, and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
Super Blues are touted as being able to produce about 5 eggs per week so you'd want a flock of at least 7 hens. I'd get more as production drops during the shorter days of winter, when they age and when they molt. I'd think about starting with just the 7 then adding pullets in the second year.
Plan your coop for 15 birds as chicken math is a real thing. You cannot build your coop and run too big. Shoot for 4 sq ft per bird in the coop minimum and 12 sq ft per bird in the attached run MINIMUM, more is far better for the run. I always suggest building a run with a solid roof that is as predator proof as your coop. That way, the door between the coop and run can be left open and the birds can go outside as soon as they come off the roost in the morning.
Chicken keeping is a wonderful hobby but that is especially true for those that are retired. There is nothing more relaxing and stress relieving than just sitting out with the flock watching them.
Glad you joined.Super Blues are touted as being able to produce about 5 eggs per week so you'd want a flock of at least 7 hens. I'd get more as production drops during the shorter days of winter, when they age and when they molt. I'd think about starting with just the 7 then adding pullets in the second year.
Plan your coop for 15 birds as chicken math is a real thing. You cannot build your coop and run too big. Shoot for 4 sq ft per bird in the coop minimum and 12 sq ft per bird in the attached run MINIMUM, more is far better for the run. I always suggest building a run with a solid roof that is as predator proof as your coop. That way, the door between the coop and run can be left open and the birds can go outside as soon as they come off the roost in the morning.
Chicken keeping is a wonderful hobby but that is especially true for those that are retired. There is nothing more relaxing and stress relieving than just sitting out with the flock watching them.
Last edited:
Welcome to the BYC flock Duane, Dobie Lover does give excellent advice.
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