Just got some chickens this weekend. Figured I would post some pics and introduce myself.

[Kerbouchard]

Primary purpose is going to be bug control but hoping they will double as a pet for the kids and I guess if we get eggs, that's just a bonus. It's my first time having chickens or building a coop, so any thoughts or advice would be appreciated. I still have to figure out a nesting box and pick up some bedding materials.







And the reason for the bug control...

 

[Kerbouchard]

Also, do I need solid walls? I figured I would leave it open in the Summer and install plywood for the winter. Would that be okay?

 

[Delphinium98]

Welcome to the chicken world! I'm new to BYC as well, though I've had birdies for about six years now.

I think the wire walls should be fine for the summer. I let my girls sleep outside in the trees that grow in their yard in the warmer, less rainy weather and they are absolutely fine, even when it gets into the low 60's.
Installing plywood in the winter and leaving their sleeping area open during the summer is a great plan!
As far as nesting boxes, as long as they have a basket with straw in it on the ground in their house they should be fine. My girls have an old cabinet with the doors taken off, and they just lay in the different compartments. It was cheap and easy, and it seems to work well.

Hope that helps! Sounds like you've got everything under control.

Welcome again to BYC! Your girls are gorgeous by the way. What breeds have you got?

 

[Kerbouchard]

I don't know what breeds they are. When we went to the store I had it all worked out which breeds we were going to get.

We ended up getting ones the kids thought were pretty and looked different.

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome!! If you spend some time reading the sad stories on the predator thread, you might rework that coop a bit. Shelter from rain and wind are important, but hardware cloth rather than chicken wire, and a dig-proof base, are extremely important for their survival! Your pullets are very cute; do they have names yet? They will be easy to tell apart, for sure. Find out what breed types the store has available, and then you can ID them. Mary

 

[Kerbouchard]

I spent a good part of the day reading up on it. Seems odd to me that a predator could get through it. Its pretty heavy duty stuff. I don't think I have anything around that could get into it, but it is something that is on my mind.

Honestly, it being Texas in July I figured they would appreciate the ventilation, but I am here to learn.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Cute idea using the play structure.
Can you mail me some of those delightful grasshoppers for my girls to enjoy? I think about a thousand would do.

If you are in suburbia you probably have raccoons that you did not know were around. Hawks are always a threat to chickens when out of the run or in a run without a lid of some sort.

Welcome to the wonderful world of chickening.

OH and you have what looks like
a Buff Orpington, a Barred rock or Dominique, and perhaps a Partridge Rock and the spotted one could be a dark sussex perhaps. Starting places to look and confirm if you are curious.

Have fun with them they look like a nice mixture.

 

[Kerbouchard]

You guys have been doing this a lot longer than I have. I think I'll rework it so it's solid walls and dig down a few feet around the perimeter.
You guys sure they don't need a breeze of some sort? I could get some heavier duty wire or metal.

Oh, and I wish I could send you the entire plague. Maybe I'll post a Craigslist ad.

Grasshoppers- free to good home. Must pick up.

 

[Ilovefarming]

Welcome! Colorful flock and nice coop!!

 

[6of6chicks]

I spent a good part of the day reading up on it. Seems odd to me that a predator could get through it. Its pretty heavy duty stuff. I don't think I have anything around that could get into it, but it is something that is on my mind.

Honestly, it being Texas in July I figured they would appreciate the ventilation, but I am here to learn.

If you build it, they will come! Even in suburbia. I'm in Texas too, and my mom lives in the heart of suburbia. She had a pair of cardinals nesting in her yard and that attracted a 3 foot snake. She has also seen a raccoon, stray cats (that jump a 6 ft. fence) and an opossum that set up shop under her neighbor's deck and had babies. Not to mention the hawks.

I'd add another layer of wiring over the chicken wire (hardware cloth or wire fencing) - and bury an apron of wire to keep out digging predators. Personally, I'd love to have as much ventilation as you do. You don't need plywood walls IF you have a solid wall of STURDY wire that predators can't rip, dig under, or reach through. Unfortunately chicken wire is like tissue paper. Hardware cloth is much better. In the winter you can just cut plywood panels to screw right over the wire (that's what I'm doing).

Your chickens are going to LOVE all those grasshoppers! What fun!

Enjoy your new flock - they're a pretty mix!