Probably should go with geese or ducks then. Its an old dog house on ground level converted into a coop but could be put on 4x4 legs too. I had considered making it the brooder as well. It will easily house 4 standard chickens. Thanks for the info!
I LOVE ducks. Their little waddling butts are just too much cuteness. But if you want something gorgeous in the yard... geese can't be beat. Easy keepers and beautiful too.
I know the that all to well, early on I decided that when my hens reach an age that they don't produce I will let them retire and live out their life as long as they are healthy.Over the years I've been very good at culling old layers every fall and keeping a small productive flock. But now it's finally happened. This fall I have a beautiful mixed flock of 18 birds and am having a hard time getting my numbers down because of all sorts of reasons.. this chicken is friendly... that one is pretty.. this one is the daughter of a favorite rooster that died. Blah, blah, blah...
I've gone soft.
We can house them all but I panick when I think of all the eggs come spring. Realistically we need, oh, 8 hens or so.
I've become that crazy chicken lady.
That sounds like the most reasonable thing to do. Let nature take its course.
There is also the marginal cost increase per bird. Of course 2 is no more expensive than 1. Then, shipping costs from the hatchery was $25 for a 15 bird assortment. $27 for 25 birds. It seems only logical to order the 25. Mrs. Manhen was,,,,stressed. Then after 4 weeks I ordered another batch, so the cost of the brooder would be spread out a bit. Then another 4 weeks and the third batch so the coop at 520 sq. ft. would be fully utilized. Then each batch included extras.
I have been warned that they may not because of the USDA...? Let us know how that looks!
