I'm new to chickens, and I have TONS of questions! HELP!

[Mebopo]

Ok, I'm new to chickens (I've never had a single one! not even once!) so I have a few questions, and I really need answers before I get my chickies!!1
1. Is a rooster a bad idea in a suburban area? How much noise do they make and when? Do they need to be separate from the hens?

2. Can I have different breeds living in the same coop?

3. I have an area that is Length - 12, With - 6, and Height - 8, is that enough for 5-10 chickens WITH a run?

4. Can and egg hatch with no rooster?

5. How much to chickens cost per year?

6. I'm making my own coop, any ideas?

7. What is a roost? do I need one?


Ok, that's it, but I really need some answers,

 

[Mebopo]

AND, do I need to insulate my coop if the temp. is never below 40?

 

[Mebopo]

No one,

 

[Mebopo]

 

[ChikeeMomma]

Quote:
1. If you are within city limits, I believe there are ordinances. It sounds like most people that live in urban areas just have hens. I'm out in the country (on five acres), but do have neighbors and nobody minds my roo.

2. That should be enough room for a coop. I think rule of thumb is 4 square feet per bird, right -- anybody?

3. For an egg to hatch it must be fertilized by a rooster.

4. My chickens do not cost me too much for the year -- haven't figured it out, though. My feed is locally made by the grain elevator. I find it better for my laying hens then the commercial brand stuff. My chickens do free range from April - December.

5. Yes, you can have as many different breeds as you want. I have two Easter Egger roos, 4 Easter Egger pullets, 4 Isa brown hens, 1 Buff Orp hen, 1 Austrolorp hen, and 1 Barred Rock hen.

6. Sorry no ideas, but there are pictures of other coops on this website. Can be very simple or can be very fancy.

7. Yes, I would put a roost in. Chickens like to be up high at night.

 

[ChikeeMomma]

And as for insulation -- I don't have mine insulated and it can get down to -5 to -10 below some nights (not very many nights, but some) in February. I do have lots of straw for them and a heat lamp. I think if it gets colder than 30 degrees, it would be wise to have a heat lamp or some sort of heat for them.

 

[ranchhand]

Quote:
Top right there is a search function- it is really helpful, as are all the folks here. Good luck!


edit to add, my answers are above, in the body of the message- and I agree with all the answers here!

 

[Imp]

Mebopo,
Sometimes it takes a little bit to get a question answered. The forum moves very fast at times. I'll add my opinion to ChikeeMomma's.

Imp

Quote:
1. If you are within city limits, I believe there are ordinances. It sounds like most people that live in urban areas just have hens. I'm out in the country (on five acres), but do have neighbors and nobody minds my roo.

Depends on the neighbors. Roos can be a bad idea in a close neighborhood.

2. That should be enough room for a coop. I think rule of thumb is 4 square feet per bird, right -- anybody?

That is correct for the coop 12x 6 is 72 sf enough for about 18 chickens, so it's a good amount for 5-10 chickens. Unless you free range you will need about another 10 sf per chicken for the run. You can do less if you freerange.


3. For an egg to hatch it must be fertilized by a rooster.

4. My chickens do not cost me too much for the year -- haven't figured it out, though. My feed is locally made by the grain elevator. I find it better for my laying hens then the commercial brand stuff. My chickens do free range from April - December.

Much cheaper than cats or dogs. I spend about $75 per year for 4-5 hens + I make them a salad everynight.

5. Yes, you can have as many different breeds as you want. I have two Easter Egger roos, 4 Easter Egger pullets, 4 Isa brown hens, 1 Buff Orp hen, 1 Austrolorp hen, and 1 Barred Rock hen.

6. Sorry no ideas, but there are pictures of other coops on this website. Can be very simple or can be very fancy.

7. Yes, I would put a roost in. Chickens like to be up high at night.

Roost is a perch for them to sit on at night. Not absolutely required, but most people like them cause then the chickens don't sit in their poop.

Hope this helps. Good luck

Imp

 

[mmtillman]

from SW Missouri!

You will love BYC and you will love having chickens !!

There are so many nice folks here that can help you with any questions you have...plus all the helpful sites on here to get you started. I got my coop ideas and info from the ''coop and run'' section
When I ordered my 25 chicks, I learned so much from the 'Raising baby chicks' section. We never lost one chick and I owe that to all the helpful advice I recieved on BYC.

I am so happy to see new people getting chickens !! I am trying to get my friends and neighbors interested in the chicken hobby !!
You didnt say where you are from? That will determine if you need to insulate.
I am sort of a newbie too...so I will let the more seasoned chicken owners help you with your questions. Just wanted to say hello and welcome you to BYC!!!

Mary Ann

 

[Jskip1]

hey mebopo, I don't have much time on my hands atm, so I'm just gonna answer question number 6
I have talked about making your own chicken coop in my blog (link in my signature), it's much cheaper than buying one and it's not hard to build at all, just check the blog out and see if you find any useful information there, I bet you will
and later when I have more time I'll answer some other questions, after I check if you didn't already get quality answers to them
best of luck with your chickens project, I hope it works out well