Just looking to get started in the right way

[Twigletfab]

Hi all,
I am located in Titusville Florida, I have .6 acres that I'd like to get chickens to free range and supply us with eggs. I also raw feed my 2 dogs so the egg supply will also be used for them.
I am only looking to have maybe max 6 chickens and am trying to locate a coop that will fit everyones needs. I don't need a run (or do I?) as i'll be free ranging them but I obviously want to keep them safe at night and give them some creature comforts.
Any local tips/pointers would be great

 

[Kiki]

Welcome!
You should probably think about building one larger combined open air coop/run.

Be right back with a link to some ideas.

Prefab coops are mostly trash and too small.

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
If you make the coop large enough you shouldn't need to run. It depends on the weather and your predator load. Sometimes if a predator has been drawn to the property and you lose a bird that predator will come back so you need a way to secure them without them going crazy. In your climate I would build an open-air coop. You can use the search function and type in Open Air Coop and it will come up with a lot of different options for you to look at. Good luck and have fun!

 

[Kiki]

Here ya go. Scroll through these seven pages to look at some pictures.
Thread 'Wanted: OPEN AIR COOP Pics' https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/wanted-open-air-coop-pics.1489579/

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC, and good luck in establishing your flock.

 

[Twigletfab]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
If you make the coop large enough you shouldn't need to run. It depends on the weather and your predator load. Sometimes if a predator has been drawn to the property and you lose a bird that predator will come back so you need a way to secure them without them going crazy. In your climate I would build an open-air coop. You can use the search function and type in Open Air Coop and it will come up with a lot of different options for you to look at. Good luck and have fun!

Thank you, they look great but take up a lot more room than I'd like, a lot of people in my area have free roaming chickens so perhaps the predator load is not that high? or the predators are spoiled for choice, lol.
Hmmmm, lots of reading to do I guess.

 

[Kiki]

Thank you, they look great but take up a lot more room than I'd like, a lot of people in my area have free roaming chickens so perhaps the predator load is not that high? or the predators are spoiled for choice, lol.
Hmmmm, lots of reading to do I guess.

Have you talked to these people and asked them how often they lose birds?
Some people it doesn't bother to go out and find dead birds laying around. Other people get quite upset to find half eaten birds laying around.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Welcome to Backyard Chickens. This is a great place to explore.

 

[Grammy60]

Hello and welcome to BYC So happy you have joined our flock.

 

[Twigletfab]

Have you talked to these people and asked them how often they lose birds?
Some people it doesn't bother to go out and find dead birds laying around. Other people get quite upset to find half eaten birds laying around.

Oh no, the people I actually know, love their birds. Others that I just see have them I couldn't say. I guess I'm personally just wanting the chickens to have access to the whole yard during the day then be safely tucked away for the evening and night, hopefully that is possible.