new and need alot of advice and help

[bturbo87]

alright where to begin first off this is the first time i have ever posted something in a forum so i really have no idea how to get back to this and read everyones responses, but hopefully with a little trial and error i can get that part figured out. anyways to the issues. im currently serving in the air force and im stationed in southern georgia. we just moved into a new house that is kinda out in the woods, and apparently the past renter had a chicken coup and a few chickens in the back yard. once he was evicted the realty company broke down one corner of the coup and let the chickens roam free, out of the flock somehow 2 have managed to escape the local predators and still hang around the house. no idea about gender or breed except that ones white with that little red thing on the head and the other is a sorta tricolor black brown grey with the red thingy. now where my issues start. the wife would like me to rebuild the coup and wrangle these two free rangers that tend to climb about 40-50 feet up one of the trees in our front yard... highest ive ever seen a chicken. and well i thought id be a great plan to, free eggs every morning right, well i stumbled across the site and now im loaded up with questions. we corral them throw them some corn and presto eggs. and now im seeing scratch and treat and oyster shell, along with a whole load of acyronyms that are flying over my head. the old coup was about 50x50 feet, but the only overhead covering was a 3x6 foot piece of corrugated tin placed over one corner of the coup. this obviously wont do so id appreciate any suggestions on exactly what all id need to rebuild something suitable and how much space, do i need a little house, and all that. next is obviously feed, apparently there is alot more than a little corn every morning. also she was talking about getting a rooster and trying to get chicks to raise for fryers/boilers eventually, any tips on that. my two major concerns with all this is that right now we tend to get a little strapped on cash twice a month and if this is something ill be sinking a substantial amount of cash into each month i need to be careful and also, i will be moving again soon and i dont know where, so just how adaptable climate wise are these guys, and what would i need to do if i were to be stationed somewhere it will be rather cold for most of the year. once again i know im asking for alot here, but and and all newbie advice would be greatly appreciated. thank you once again

 

[Backyard Hencam]

I loved your story. Yes, you have a lot to learn like "the little red thing on the head" and what it is. You'll find lots of experts on this site that are happy to help.
To answer one quest, I would not get a flock of chickens if you have to relocate often. Have fun with the two that you've adopted then try to find homes for them if you have to leave.
Secondly, try to break down your questions one at a time, then go to "Index" on the Blue Bar and post them under the appropriate topic.
I have a website (below) that can answer some of your questions. Best of luck and

!

 

[4-H chicken mom]

and

from Ohio. So glad you joined. Will try to help some. Feed: yes they will need a layer feed, just corn or scatch feed won't make healthy birds. It's like you eating McDonalds and donuts all the time.

If you have a Craigslist, sometimes you can find cheap building materials to repair the coop. They will need some kind of enclosure to protect them at night from predators. I suspect that's why the free rangers are up so high, they have been frightened at some point. Good luck

 

[chickboss]

no idea about gender or breed except that ones white with that little red thing on the head and the other is a sorta tricolor black brown grey with the red thingy.

I sure hope you know that I am laughing with you! Okay, the red thingy is their comb. If they have red thingys hanging down from their "cheeks" they are the waddles. The white one could be a White Rock, or Leghorn. There could be more pure white breeds out there, but I think those are the most common. No clue about the other because many breeds sport similar sounding colors.

we corral them throw them some corn and presto eggs. and now im seeing scratch and treat and oyster shell, along with a whole load of acyronyms that are flying over my head. the old coup was about 50x50 feet, but the only overhead covering was a 3x6 foot piece of corrugated tin placed over one corner of the coup. this obviously wont do so id appreciate any suggestions on exactly what all id need to rebuild something suitable and how much space, do i need a little house, and all that.

This all depends on how fancy you want to be. 50x50 is a lot of room for two chickens, so you could either fix the roof and enclose the whole building, or perhaps you could do just a section. There are a lot of coup ideas in the BYC coop section. I wouldn't get too fancy on a budget (been there, still there).

next is obviously feed, apparently there is alot more than a little corn every morning.

Yep, layer pellets, corn as treat, oyster shell for calcium, good fresh water.

also she was talking about getting a rooster and trying to get chicks to raise for fryers/boilers eventually, any tips on that. my two major concerns with all this is that right now we tend to get a little strapped on cash twice a month and if this is something ill be sinking a substantial amount of cash into each month i need to be careful and also, i will be moving again soon and i dont know where, so just how adaptable climate wise are these guys, and what would i need to do if i were to be stationed somewhere it will be rather cold for most of the year. once again i know im asking for alot here, but and and all newbie advice would be greatly appreciated. thank you once again

You shouldn't really have to spend too much. I know when I only had four layers, a bag of layer pellets lasted FOREVER. I am still on my first bag of oyster shell (7 months later) and my first bag of scratch grains. So food should prove to be cheap. Also, I will probably be a minority here on this, but if they have successfully free ranged all this time, chances are they are pretty good at rustling up their own grub, not so sure I would stop them from doing it by fencing them in ect. Like you said, they roost high, sounds like they have the predator issue pretty much figured out. I would consider letting them free range quite a bit. Unless that is unacceptable because of neighbors, ect.

If you move to a colder climate, with only two, or three if you get the roo, I think you could build a small house (or chicken tractor) and just make sure that you can get a heat lamp out there for them if the temps really drop. They are pretty hardy though.

You have to decide the roo thing on your own. Might be better for now, to just order meat birds that grow fast and are ready to eat, rather than adding to a perment commitment in terms of adding another chicken. But you know yourself. If you can swing it, would love it, can handle any irritating issues that come from it, then do it, and have fun. 'Cause it is fun.

Hope this helps!! I'm kind of new too! Had them growing up, and just got started again as an adult.

 

[bturbo87]

thanks to everyone for your elp i think ive got a rough idea on where to go from here. Funny you should mention the McD's and donuts.... im a cop

 

[b.hromada]

and

from S. Florida! Glad you joined us!

McDonalds and doughnuts!! Love it! You've come to the right place for all those answers you will need.

Got some goods ones already! Enjoy!

 

[Cindiloohoo]

Looks like everyone has answered your questions! Good luck!

 

[Gonzo]

from Indiana!