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Chirping
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Jul 3, 2020
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I'm deciding to raise chicks to hens. I currently haven't any chickens, nor have I ever. I built myself a coop, but it isn't totally finished or predator proof. I struggle with impatience and though I realise this I can't help but have short patience. I'm getting increasingly frustrated with my coop and how it's turning out; (my only previous interaction with building with wood is playing Jenga). I have nearly everything ready, but after working on everything for hours every day I'm wearing thin.

I want to raise hens because it's the only animal my dad will agree to keep, (with me doing all the work, of course). I have a large family and struggle making friends. I hear that interactions with friendly animals can help to minimise my symptoms of Autism. Originally, I wanted the hens to be my friends, since no human wants to. Now that everything is almost ready, I am insecure of whether I'm actually ready for chicks. I'm probably not since my coop isn't even finished, but after years and years without friends I'm getting anxious for this physical contact with chicks and hens.

Though I am exceedingly desperate, I did not jump into this without having a clue of what I'm doing. I spent countless hours researching how to care for chickens and have compiled my knowledge into a concise handbook for myself.

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Hello and welcome to BYC! :frow Glad you joined.
How many hens are you planning on and what breeds?
You will need a bigger brooder than that and you should really consider getting rid of the heat lamp and use a brooder plate instead. Much safer, closer to the natural way a chick warms itself under it's mother, less expensive to run and allows a normal circadian rhythm for the chicks with a much lower risk of pasty butt developing.
You should also replace all the chicken wire with hardware cloth. Chicken wire keeps chickens in but not much out.
You'll also need a larger run. And more ventilation in the coop.
 
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:welcome

Good for you on doing your homework and getting a brooder & coop ready before you get chicks. If you have questions, always feel free to ask.

Best wishes!
 
Welcome to BYC. Try to arrange things so that you can approach your birds on their level. When approached from above they can become fearful as they may regard you as a predator. Enjoy them and don't overthink things.
 

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