Information Overload + Analysis Paralysis

[BeckyRK1974]

the odds of each kind of problem are lower than they may seem if all you're looking at is the emergency forum.

I think it may have been a "mistake" to join a couple chicken facebook groups. And I say that only because the algorithm decided I need to see only the issues people are having. I should make a point to go to the group pages and look at what else is there. Losing chicks and injured hens can't be all that's posted in them. But it's the majority of what I see when I'm scrolling. And I'm sure I'm contributing to it by expanding the comments so I can see what people are saying to do for certain things.

the more time you spend...the more they will repeatedly wake you up in the middle of the night for the first couple weeks!

That's too funny! I saw the post about the baby chick that cried whenever he/she couldn't see its human mama. I'm still working out where I want to keep them until they can go in the coop. Since I'll be getting them in July I was thinking about just keeping them outside in something I can move into the garage if we're going to get rain or a thunderstorm, but I haven't looked into whether that's a good idea or not yet.

I plan to spend a reasonable amount of time with them regardless of where they are. I have to work, but I am able to work from home. And my workspace has a direct line of sight to where my coop and run will be. Once they are out there I'll be spending my breaks with them. And I also spend a fair amount of time in my veggie garden in my time off, which will be near their space too.

Thank you for taking the time to respond. It's been helpful to see another perspective on feed and, I hadn't even thought about local supplies. I appreciate the heads up about that.

 

[DonyaQuick]

Since I'll be getting them in July I was thinking about just keeping them outside in something I can move into the garage if we're going to get rain or a thunderstorm, but I haven't looked into whether that's a good idea or not yet.

Assuming you're getting quite young chicks, then the brooder needs to be protected 100% of the time from predators, wind, night time chills, and other weather shifts that will make temperature control or safety a challenge. For most people, that means indoors or in a garage where fire hazards are more easily managed and outlets are abundant. It's different of course if you have a custom built coop with electrics already included to code in the structure. Also if you're getting older pullets that you know to be already off of heat, then there's more flexibility - but I can tell you from personal experience that the absolute worst time to move chickens of any age is when the forcast is wrong and bad weather thunders in unexpectedly. Even friendly young birds will panic, and when that happens you risk having one do a runner. So regardless of bird age, I'd pick a very stationary spot for that first enclosure for them.

Moving them to another stationary spot as their needs change is ok. Also when they are off heat, having supervised daytime excursions outside is ok.

 

[BeckyRK1974]

Assuming you're getting quite young chicks, then the brooder needs to be protected 100% of the time from predators, wind, night time chills, and other weather shifts that will make temperature control or safety a challenge. For most people, that means indoors or in a garage where fire hazards are more easily managed and outlets are abundant. It's different of course if you have a custom built coop with electrics already included to code in the structure. Also if you're getting older pullets that you know to be already off of heat, then there's more flexibility - but I can tell you from personal experience that the absolute worst time to move chickens of any age is when the forcast is wrong and bad weather thunders in unexpectedly. Even friendly young birds will panic, and when that happens you risk having one do a runner. So regardless of bird age, I'd pick a very stationary spot for that first enclosure for them.

Moving them to another stationary spot as their needs change is ok. Also when they are off heat, having supervised daytime excursions outside is ok.

That all makes sense. So my 1st thought of just keep I mg them in the garage is probably best. Thank you for your insight!

 

[rosemarythyme]

I'm still working out where I want to keep them until they can go in the coop. Since I'll be getting them in July I was thinking about just keeping them outside in something I can move into the garage if we're going to get rain or a thunderstorm, but I haven't looked into whether that's a good idea or not yet.

Is the coop located in such a way that you can run power out to there? Get the coop completely done and make things easier by brooding inside the coop itself (I'd section off half of it for the first week but they can handle the extra space after that). Takes out the need to transition them outside, it's easier to clean and manage, and they'll enjoy the extra space as they begin growing.

As far as feed, aim for whatever's locally available that's as freshly milled as possible, that meets your needs (i.e. if you want organic).

 

[BeckyRK1974]

Is the coop located in such a way that you can run power out to there? Get the coop completely done and make things easier by brooding inside the coop itself (I'd section off half of it for the first week but they can handle the extra space after that). Takes out the need to transition them outside, it's easier to clean and manage, and they'll enjoy the extra space as they begin growing.

As far as feed, aim for whatever's locally available that's as freshly milled as possible, that meets your needs (i.e. if you want organic).

That's a great idea! I will definitely have the coop ready to go before I get the chicks. It will be ready for delivery mid April. And as for power, we had electric cables ran to my shed late last summer, and are planning on having my husband's coworker come to get it hooked up for us. He's a licensed general contractor and does all that sort of thing for a living, and does side jobs. But we will be at the mercy of his schedule as to when he'll get to us. So it's hard to say yet if he will make it in time, but that would be my best option I think.

Thank you!

 

[SourRoses]

people tend not to post when things are going wonderful and all is well.

^ This. People also (myself included) often forget to update when a chicken gets better from their illness.
We've kept lots of chickens and the odds of them becoming sick or injured are quite low.

You know what you're missing? The secret ingredient...

Cuteness.
Yes, having the babies is fun enough, adorable enough, that the worry gets balanced out. When you've never had the cuteness before, you don't know how much it makes up for the concerning stuff.

Pictures aren't enough, but here, have some recent ones anyway...

IMO: Don't ferment feed, it's messy and not beginner friendly. Keep it basic to start off. Pick a chick starter with good protein (20% + if possible) and don't give them treats until they're a little older, and even then in moderation.
One thing TO worry about is predators. Use the good HW cloth and be thorough evaluating your setup. Then just relax and enjoy the cuteness.

 

[Birdinhand]

There’s a million ways to approach chickening. You can go for the boutique experience where you pick up every dropping and keep them like a pet, that’s definitely a thing, and some people absolutely love it and, that is not for me.

I grew up on a farm and now live on an urban homestead that is small by any homestead standards, about 10,000 square feet. My chickens, when I was a kid would routinely get eaten by predators, because they free ranged and that was a huge bummer. Here in the Seattle burbs we have coyote, bald eagles, hawks, raccoons, possum, and it rains 6 months out of the year. I was not going to have my kids go through the misery of dead and wounded pets. Free ranging is risky here and many places and an uncovered run turns into a mud pit. I’ve had many a friend start out free ranging, sometimes boasting for years how great it is only to, sooner or later, have every bird picked off. I’m not saying don’t do it, but I’d say be realistic about it. If you can’t stand the thought of losing a bird to a predator then consider the risks, consider making a chicken-mahal that will meet their every need.
Also, please consider rats. Two rats, given a constant supply of food, can become 1,000 rats in 6 months.
About 10 years ago I build a coop based on the notion that I would not free range, so I made it extra large. I also decided to have a covered run. I added lots of things to occupy them, like a swing set and lots of turns and ornate structure. The most important was deep litter, it mostly takes care of itself for 6 months to a year at a time! To keep the rats out, I framed it out with posts far enough apart to overlap hardware cloth. The hardware cloth was placed about 10 inches below where the surface of the litter would be, stitched the seems with zip ties. Hardware cloth, wall to wall, ceiling and floor, has been the most valuable security measure. I have not lost a single bird to a predator, no rats get in.
Every fall I add a deep layer of wood chips and sandy dirt, about 8-10” deep. I feed them kitchen waste and yard waste from the garden. By the next spring or so the deep litter is worked into an amazing mulch for the garden, complete with composted chicken manure. The deep litter turns out to be crucial to controlling mites and giving the birds something to do. They constantly turn it over. All the deep litter ends up going through a tumbler composter to enrich the garden.

The roost area is well ventilated but without any draft. The run is covered with transparent roofing to let lots of light in. I give them organic layer pellets, use nipple waterers for better sanitation.
This approach required front loading the work and expense, it wasn’t cheap, but it has lead to a happy, healthy, low maintenance and most of all, low drama chicken experience. I use large waterers and feed, go a week or more sometimes between entering the coop. Sometimes we visit daily, especially when the kids were young. Honestly it’s a dream come true. I’d highly recommend going for a low maintenance, holistic, healthy micro biome approach.

 

[BeckyRK1974]

^ This. People also (myself included) often forget to update when a chicken gets better from their illness.
We've kept lots of chickens and the odds of them becoming sick or injured are quite low.

Those babies are adorable!! Thank you for sharing.

And thank you for the recommendation on feed. That is something I've been contemplating quite a lot. I want to give them the best I can without it becoming a burden should I need someone to come help me out a day.

I have definitely taken predators into account. I know a couple weeks ago my neighbor said they had a racoon in their backyard. Up until then I didn't think my country neighborhood even had them. This was one of the things that weighed in heavily when I accepted the much larger price tag on the coop to have it be built like a shed would be. I will have a few months once it delivers to inspect and decide if it needs any additional reinforcements. But I have seen hawks fly over quite a few times, so I've already planned to ensure the chickens have cover in their run.

Edited because I forgot the most important part - THANK YOU for the part about injuries and sickness rates to be somewhat low. That definitely helps.

 

[BeckyRK1974]

There’s a million ways to approach chickening. You can go for the boutique experience where you pick up every dropping and keep them like a pet, that’s definitely a thing, and some people absolutely love it and, that is not for me.

I grew up on a farm and now live on an urban homestead that is small by any homestead standards, about 10,000 square feet. My chickens, when I was a kid would routinely get eaten by predators, because they free ranged and that was a huge bummer. Here in the Seattle burbs we have coyote, bald eagles, hawks, raccoons, possum, and it rains 6 months out of the year. I was not going to have my kids go through the misery of dead and wounded pets. Free ranging is risky here and many places and an uncovered run turns into a mud pit. I’ve had many a friend start out free ranging, sometimes boasting for years how great it is only to, sooner or later, have every bird picked off. I’m not saying don’t do it, but I’d say be realistic about it. If you can’t stand the thought of losing a bird to a predator then consider the risks, consider making a chicken-mahal that will meet their every need.
Also, please consider rats. Two rats, given a constant supply of food, can become 1,000 rats in 6 months.
About 10 years ago I build a coop based on the notion that I would not free range, so I made it extra large. I also decided to have a covered run. I added lots of things to occupy them, like a swing set and lots of turns and ornate structure. The most important was deep litter, it mostly takes care of itself for 6 months to a year at a time! To keep the rats out, I framed it out with posts far enough apart to overlap hardware cloth. The hardware cloth was placed about 10 inches below where the surface of the litter would be, stitched the seems with zip ties. Hardware cloth, wall to wall, ceiling and floor, has been the most valuable security measure. I have not lost a single bird to a predator, no rats get in.
Every fall I add a deep layer of wood chips and sandy dirt, about 8-10” deep. I feed them kitchen waste and yard waste from the garden. By the next spring or so the deep litter is worked into an amazing mulch for the garden, complete with composted chicken manure. The deep litter turns out to be crucial to controlling mites and giving the birds something to do. They constantly turn it over. All the deep litter ends up going through a tumbler composter to enrich the garden.

The roost area is well ventilated but without any draft. The run is covered with transparent roofing to let lots of light in. I give them organic layer pellets, use nipple waterers for better sanitation.
This approach required front loading the work and expense, it wasn’t cheap, but it has lead to a happy, healthy, low maintenance and most of all, low drama chicken experience. I use large waterers and feed, go a week or more sometimes between entering the coop. Sometimes we visit daily, especially when the kids were young. Honestly it’s a dream come true. I’d highly recommend going for a low maintenance, holistic, healthy micro biome approach.

All that you wrote is what my goal ultimately is. I appreciate you sharing your history and how you keep your chickens. I hadn't thought about rats. I will have to look into how prevalent they are in my area.

I picked up on the deep litter method in one of the YouTube videos I watched, and was sold right from the beginning. The design of the coop I bought originally had the nesting boxes at floor level. I asked if they can raise them up 10" to allow for deep litter in the coop. What I wasn't sure of is in the run, because I wanted to utilize the method there also. So your explanation of what you do is absolutely perfect for me. I hope you don't mind if I copy you!

 

[thecatumbrella]

Any tips on what the most important things to consider when deciding on brand of chick starter, and also feed for when they're older?

Any words of wisdom for a 1st time chicken mom?

Words of encouragement even?

I think we might be the same person!

From my experience, feed the same brand from chick to laying hen. Chickens like routine. Nutrena's been great for this and it's readily available from my local feed store and Chewy. I use their medicated chick, then unmedicated chick w/oyster shell and all flock pellets for food toys.

You're going to mess up and miscalculate and have to change things. You'll do your best, but the first chickens are inevitably "practice" chickens. Also, don't let them fool you into thinking they're sweet. Chickens are huge jerks, to each other and sometimes to you. Don't take it personally.

Your garden layout looks amazing and I wish I had that much space!