Looking for guidance for my first coop

[casvista]

Hello Friends,

This is a lifetime dream, building a coop and raising chicks for eggs. I am a complete novice. I live in Prescott, Arizona and have some land. Looking for a simple coop. Perhaps one that includes space near the garden so heens can eat the bugs? I like the idea of allowing them to roam when I an=m outdoors with them. We do get cold nights and have hawks, coyotes, and fox. I welcome any help!

 

[CluckerFamily]

There are lots of ideas out there.
I recommend building your own coop instead of purchasing a prefab coop (prefab coops aren't accurate for how many chickens they can hold).

 

[jreardon1918]

Welcome to Backyard Chickens.
Before you go and pickup some chicks, have a plan. BackYard Chickens has a wonderful learning center. https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/categories/learning-center.11/

Among some key things to plan:

• How many chickens do you want?
• How many eggs do you want?
• Tiny day old chicks grow into full size chickens.
• Build the coop before you have any chicks.
• If you decide on a prebuilt coop, the advertisement for how many it will fit will likely be an overstatement.
• Where will you brood the chicks?
• How will you brood the chicks? Heat lamp? Heating pad? Momma Heating Pad (MHP).

You did ask about picking a coop. Here is an article I just wrote called How many will fit? . The bottom line for us is that our coop works, but if I knew then what I know now, I would have done things differently. But spending a little time on this hobby is rewarding even if it is fixing early missteps.

Enjoy your chicken adventure.


Good luck with your adventure

 

[irish44395]

Hello Friends,

This is a lifetime dream, building a coop and raising chicks for eggs. I am a complete novice. I live in Prescott, Arizona and have some land. Looking for a simple coop. Perhaps one that includes space near the garden so heens can eat the bugs? I like the idea of allowing them to roam when I an=m outdoors with them. We do get cold nights and have hawks, coyotes, and fox. I welcome any help!

Just want to say you can get ideas off this site and keep in mind that your chickens will eat bugs in your garden and the plants
Pete

 

[3KillerBs]

Welcome to BYC.

In Arizona you should consider an "open air" coop, where one or more of the walls is made entirely from wire. Chickens can tolerate remarkable amounts of cold as long as they're kept dry, but they have a harder time dealing with the heat.

Also, you'll probably need to be careful to choose appropriate, heat-tolerant breeds. Here in steamy North Carolina I ruled out all breeds specifically developed for cold climates such as the Buckeye and the Chantecler.

If you go onto your state thread https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/arizona-chickens.31227/ you can get advice directly from people who are working with your conditions about what does and doesn't work.

 

[Alaskan]

In Arizona you should consider an "open air" coop, where one or more of the walls is made entirely from wire. Chickens can tolerate remarkable amounts of cold as long as they're kept dry, but they have a harder time dealing with the heat.

Ultra x2.

A huge wire box with big eves is great for hot climates! In a hot climate a breeze at the perches is a good thing.

Also, you'll probably need to be careful to choose appropriate, heat-tolerant breeds.

So true! The big fluffy ladies have trouble with the heat.

If you pick out any of those Mediterranean types with huge combs you will get lots of eggs (and yes, you can get a colorful egg basket) and have chickens that barely notice the heat.