MP66
Hatching
- Apr 2, 2015
- 3
- 1
- 9
First off, Thank you all for your help and advice. It is so easy to get overwhelmed with all the information and opinions out there. I think this site has best answered everything better than any book I've read. (Which is a lot!)
The girls made it through there first week with flying colors! No issues with pasty butt, although we keep checking. They are all sleeping, eating, pooping, playing, peeping and trying to fly (while freaking out their sisters at their attempts!).
We are in the process of designing/building the coop they will call home. I love the pics on here, but how do I get those plans? LOL
We are probably going to make it for 8 although we just have the 5. (I'm still debating on getting the Wyandotte chicks tomorrow)
How much space do they need? We live near Chicago so it will be cold in the winter. I keep getting conflicting sizes, from 3sq.ft. to 5 sq. ft. per hen. So I'm guessing we will do around 40 sq.ft.?
What material should the floor be made of? Books are saying not wood bc it will rot. How would I make it something else? It will most likely be raised about 2-3 ft. up off the ground.
Could I use something like a shower board? They sell them at Home Depot to make the shower in your house. It's slick on one side and rough/plywood on the other. Would that cause problems even if I put bedding down? I do put pine bedding in the coop right? I'm thinking it would be easy cleaning, but could it pose a problem for the hens feet/legs? What do the majority of people use?
So far the sweetest of the chicks is the Rhode Island Red. As soon as you pick her up, she settles right into your hand and starts to nap. Second would be the Easter Egger. She is still so fluffy! The Australorps take the longest to settle down when you hold them. One of them is very vocal about not being held. The moment you pick her up she chirps like we are murdering her, she struggles to get away and "pecks" while in our hand. Once we hold her for a little bit she will settle down slightly as long as we stay still and talk quietly to her, but if we make the slightest movement she is back to her torment. Do we just keep trying? Or do you think she will be like this forever. Is this just her personality? Do any of you have chicks that are like this?
Since they are still only a week old, I am thinking about getting the Wyandottes tomorrow. 8 is all I am allowed, which is fine by me. I think I could handle 8. We have room for 8 chicks (eventual hens). How much difference is there between 5 and 8?
Is there any trouble introducing 3 more at this point, since pecking order isn't totally established?
If anything doesn't work out we have a friend with a farm that will take them. (Like if one turns out to be a rooster.)
Anything I should have on hand at this point? Medicines?
Thanks again for all your help! I'm so happy I found this wealth of info!
The girls made it through there first week with flying colors! No issues with pasty butt, although we keep checking. They are all sleeping, eating, pooping, playing, peeping and trying to fly (while freaking out their sisters at their attempts!).
We are in the process of designing/building the coop they will call home. I love the pics on here, but how do I get those plans? LOL
We are probably going to make it for 8 although we just have the 5. (I'm still debating on getting the Wyandotte chicks tomorrow)
How much space do they need? We live near Chicago so it will be cold in the winter. I keep getting conflicting sizes, from 3sq.ft. to 5 sq. ft. per hen. So I'm guessing we will do around 40 sq.ft.?
What material should the floor be made of? Books are saying not wood bc it will rot. How would I make it something else? It will most likely be raised about 2-3 ft. up off the ground.
Could I use something like a shower board? They sell them at Home Depot to make the shower in your house. It's slick on one side and rough/plywood on the other. Would that cause problems even if I put bedding down? I do put pine bedding in the coop right? I'm thinking it would be easy cleaning, but could it pose a problem for the hens feet/legs? What do the majority of people use?
So far the sweetest of the chicks is the Rhode Island Red. As soon as you pick her up, she settles right into your hand and starts to nap. Second would be the Easter Egger. She is still so fluffy! The Australorps take the longest to settle down when you hold them. One of them is very vocal about not being held. The moment you pick her up she chirps like we are murdering her, she struggles to get away and "pecks" while in our hand. Once we hold her for a little bit she will settle down slightly as long as we stay still and talk quietly to her, but if we make the slightest movement she is back to her torment. Do we just keep trying? Or do you think she will be like this forever. Is this just her personality? Do any of you have chicks that are like this?
Since they are still only a week old, I am thinking about getting the Wyandottes tomorrow. 8 is all I am allowed, which is fine by me. I think I could handle 8. We have room for 8 chicks (eventual hens). How much difference is there between 5 and 8?
Is there any trouble introducing 3 more at this point, since pecking order isn't totally established?
If anything doesn't work out we have a friend with a farm that will take them. (Like if one turns out to be a rooster.)
Anything I should have on hand at this point? Medicines?
Thanks again for all your help! I'm so happy I found this wealth of info!
