So, after many weeks of research and searching for coops I think I found one that I'm pretty happy with. The cost of the coop is $1550. + tax & free shipping because it's within 100 miles of my home. It's 6x8 comes fully assembled with all the bells and whistles already in place so no modifications need be done except the two windows come with reg house screen- we'll need to replace that w/mesh. So once we build the run ( walk-in) and get the rest of the supplies and equipment and chicks... well, you can do the math. A little more than I thought I'd be spending initially, but thats ok, I want happy, healthy chickens. I'd like to go even bigger, but I'm not going to.
Anyway, the problem is- just about everyone that we tell that we are getting chickens has nothing but negative things to say about keeping them. I'm trying to be confident and determined, but the negativity keeps on coming! I'm already terrified of a few things... predators getting in (I would feel awful if I didnt protect them well enough) a hen becoming "egg bound" and keeping them happy and warm in the winter. I never knew about the egg bound thing until I read about it on Terry Golson's hencam blog. Terry gave a good rendition of how to recognize it and how to treat it, so I think thats something I can overcome. Plus I'm waiting for a couple of books I've ordered.
So, this is what we are hearing from our friends and family: Chickens stink! They are a lot of work. Not worth the upkeep and expense. They draw rats! You'll have every chicken eating varmint for miles infesting your yard. Ya gotta kill'um and eat'um after they stop laying (everyone knows I wont kill or eat my hens!) They peck the hell out of ya when you try and get their eggs, You'll be tied to the house, no trips... and so on, and so on. My husband wavers a little bit here and there, but he's still supportive. One person told him that when egg shells get soft you have to feed them oyster shells... real, whole shells. He was like, we have to buy oysters now too?!
His biggest concern is the smell... we are in the country, but we do have neighbors. I told him that I thought I could keep up on that ok.
So there you have it. I just really needed to vent to all those on the other side of the chicken fence! Thanks!
Anyway, the problem is- just about everyone that we tell that we are getting chickens has nothing but negative things to say about keeping them. I'm trying to be confident and determined, but the negativity keeps on coming! I'm already terrified of a few things... predators getting in (I would feel awful if I didnt protect them well enough) a hen becoming "egg bound" and keeping them happy and warm in the winter. I never knew about the egg bound thing until I read about it on Terry Golson's hencam blog. Terry gave a good rendition of how to recognize it and how to treat it, so I think thats something I can overcome. Plus I'm waiting for a couple of books I've ordered.
So, this is what we are hearing from our friends and family: Chickens stink! They are a lot of work. Not worth the upkeep and expense. They draw rats! You'll have every chicken eating varmint for miles infesting your yard. Ya gotta kill'um and eat'um after they stop laying (everyone knows I wont kill or eat my hens!) They peck the hell out of ya when you try and get their eggs, You'll be tied to the house, no trips... and so on, and so on. My husband wavers a little bit here and there, but he's still supportive. One person told him that when egg shells get soft you have to feed them oyster shells... real, whole shells. He was like, we have to buy oysters now too?!
So there you have it. I just really needed to vent to all those on the other side of the chicken fence! Thanks!