My New Back Yard

[Melky]

Ok I spelled that wrong Tenkara which originated in mountain angling fresh water streams from Japan mostly for trout. Trout and Salmon commonly are fished through fly fishing. Tenkara meaning from the skies or heaven.

Ok I spelled that wrong Tenkara which originated in mountain angling fresh water streams from Japan mostly for trout. Trout and Salmon commonly are fished through fly fishing. Tenkara meaning from the skies or heaven.

Fly fishing is used a lot in Alaska as well.

 

[feathermaid]

My wife and I should be closing on our new house next week. We are moving from Houston to Rhome, TX where we are buying a double wide on an acre. I am not brand new to raising chickens but I am certainly a novice. I have been lurking on these forums for quite a while and even raised six RIR chicks in a yard that was really too small for them.

Now, I come to you asking what would you do with my new back yard? I plan to raise enough chickens to be able to have an endless supply of eggs for about 5 people and sell eggs, hatching eggs, and chicks to supplement the costs of raising the chickens. I have no grand illusions of actually making money with this. I would want an absolute max capacity of 20 adult chickens- 12 ideally.

Things I am looking for opinions on:
Coop and run- How big? Where?
Septic system- I have never had one. Are gardens okay? How close or far away do they need to be?
I want to build a cinder block bbq pit. Where would you put it.
If this were your property what else would you do with the yard?
View attachment 1539312

I would love to have a yard that big!!

When planning where to put your coop, sit out on the deck and imagine your most comfortable view. Take into account the rising and setting sun. Try to get your coop in the path of a shade tree. And definitely keep it away from the low muddy spot... highest ground possible is best.

Your garden will need the sunniest area, if possible. It's not recommended to build garden beds (or anything) over the septic system... and also keep them at least 10 feet away from the drain field. Think about how you plan to keep it watered... and also provide water for the chickens. Maybe a shared water line or hose? Maybe a rainwater collection system?

Do you plan to free range? Chickens love gardens!! So if you want to actually harvest any veggies for yourself, you'll have to fence it in. In the off season, you can keep it open and have the chickens till it up for you.

Use the deep litter method in your coop or run (except skip the DE because you want to keep the bugs, worms and beneficial microbes). When you clean it out --once or twice a year-- put the old litter in compost. A 3 bin system works wonderful and you can always add your garden waste, grass clippings etc and of course all the chicken poop you clean out from under the roosts! At the end of the composting cycle, you will have beautiful dark rich soil for you gardens.

As for the SIZE of the coop, go big like @KikisGirls advised-- plan it for 25-30 chickens if you can. You just never know... chicken math is a real thing!

Here are some other things to check out:
Kick The Heat Lamp: Better, Safer And Healthier Options To Heat Your Brooder
Raise chicks outside
^^Truly, if you can raise new chicks outside (without a broody mama) next to your older hens, they can become integrated so much easier. Of course, a broody is best.

How Much Room Do Chickens Need
Predator Proofing

Congratulations on your new home! And good luck with your coop build!

 

[MissChick@dee]

Hiya
Nice to meet you!
What I wouldn’t give to start from scratch. Size matters, mine is too small I’ll have to build bigger. Chicken
Math matters Iffin you think 12 is a good number (for 5 people,yes) but you probably WILL end up with 20!
Security is everything. Don’t skip on gage of your wire. The protection starts at the base of your run/coop. Bury your wire deep (a little cement is awsome). Remember drainage. Dry chickens are healthy chickens. Don’t give moisture seeking pests a open invitation. MAN!!! I want a do over on my setup !!!!
It’s exciting I’m glad you’re putting thought into your coop/run. Best wishes in your endeavors

 

[Melky]

Hiya
Nice to meet you!
What I wouldn’t give to start from scratch. Size matters, mine is too small I’ll have to build bigger. Chicken
Math matters Iffin you think 12 is a good number (for 5 people,yes) but you probably WILL end up with 20!
Security is everything. Don’t skip on gage of your wire. The protection starts at the base of your run/coop. Bury your wire deep (a little cement is awsome). Remember drainage. Dry chickens are healthy chickens. Don’t give moisture seeking pests a open invitation. MAN!!! I want a do over on my setup !!!!
It’s exciting I’m glad you’re putting thought into your coop/run. Best wishes in your endeavors

Do not forget 2 ft apron of same Gauge hardware cloth as run around coop/run to prevent predators from digging in.

 

[New2Chicks97]

My wife and I should be closing on our new house next week. We are moving from Houston to Rhome, TX where we are buying a double wide on an acre. I am not brand new to raising chickens but I am certainly a novice. I have been lurking on these forums for quite a while and even raised six RIR chicks in a yard that was really too small for them.

Now, I come to you asking what would you do with my new back yard? I plan to raise enough chickens to be able to have an endless supply of eggs for about 5 people and sell eggs, hatching eggs, and chicks to supplement the costs of raising the chickens. I have no grand illusions of actually making money with this. I would want an absolute max capacity of 20 adult chickens- 12 ideally.

Things I am looking for opinions on:
Coop and run- How big? Where?
Septic system- I have never had one. Are gardens okay? How close or far away do they need to be?
I want to build a cinder block bbq pit. Where would you put it.
If this were your property what else would you do with the yard?

View attachment 1539312

 

[4 ever Orpington]

My wife and I should be closing on our new house next week. We are moving from Houston to Rhome, TX where we are buying a double wide on an acre. I am not brand new to raising chickens but I am certainly a novice. I have been lurking on these forums for quite a while and even raised six RIR chicks in a yard that was really too small for them.

Now, I come to you asking what would you do with my new back yard? I plan to raise enough chickens to be able to have an endless supply of eggs for about 5 people and sell eggs, hatching eggs, and chicks to supplement the costs of raising the chickens. I have no grand illusions of actually making money with this. I would want an absolute max capacity of 20 adult chickens- 12 ideally.

Things I am looking for opinions on:
Coop and run- How big? Where?
Septic system- I have never had one. Are gardens okay? How close or far away do they need to be?
I want to build a cinder block bbq pit. Where would you put it.
If this were your property what else would you do with the yard?

View attachment 1539312

 

[MissChick@dee]

Do not forget 2 ft apron of same Gauge hardware cloth as run around coop/run to prevent predators from digging in.

Absolutely!!

 

[TxFlyGuy]

All great responses. I am leaning toward @Melky response. Putting the coop and run directly behind the garage will be the most convenient and would also keep it dry. I do plan to free range when possible.

As for the other responses this is all great information to consider. I have really screwed things up in the past and learned to do things right the first time.

As I start building I will post and keep y’all up to date on the happenings.

Thanks again!

 

[MissChick@dee]

All great responses. I am leaning toward @Melky response. Putting the coop and run directly behind the garage will be the most convenient and would also keep it dry. I do plan to free range when possible.

As for the other responses this is all great information to consider. I have really screwed things up in the past and learned to do things right the first time.

As I start building I will post and keep y’all up to date on the happenings.

Thanks again!