New Back Yard Chicken Farmer!

[P & Q Ranch]

Hi y'all!

We are new back yard chicken farmers as of 2 days ago! We have 8 RIR pullets between 10-12 weeks old. They are fabulous and happy in their new environment. My husband is a carpenter and built our chicken coop of his own design. When we get pictures I will post! We live in Davie, Florida and have an acre. The chickens we fenced in a portion of the yard that is about 40 ft by 40 ft. They free range in the day with crumble food and go in the coop by theirselves at dusk with branches and water. I am sure we will be asking a lot of questions in the future. We also have 3 dogs that would love to meet the chickens!

Shirley & Nelson Decker ( P&Q Ranch)
Davie, Florida

 

[wingnut1]

P & Q Ranch

Welcome to BYC!!!! And congrats on your new young chickens!!!

Anything we can do to address your questions - we will be happy to help!!!

 

[wohneli]

Welcome and enjoy!!!

 

[B. Saffles Farms]

from TN

 

[debilorrah]

Mr. & Mrs. Decker!!

 

[ScoobyRoo]

and welcome to our coop P & Q Ranch!!

 

[lildinkem]

Hi Shirley
Nice to meet another chicken newbie. Nice choice with RIR's. They are very big egg layers. I have 5 pullets and everyday each lays an egg.
Enjoy your new friends
Bill
P.S. I too have dogs ( 7 ) on a few acres. But, in Indianapolis

 

[The Chicken Lady]

, Shirley and Nelson!

Glad to have you here!

 

[n-da-woods]

 

[P & Q Ranch]

Many thanks for the warm welcome!!
I have a question about the nest boxes in the coop. We have 8 RIR's that are 10-12 weeks old. My husband built the coop with 10 nest boxes, 5 on each side with a space down the middle of both sides. Since then we found out that we had to take out one side (5 nests) to make room for the hens to roost on branches. Right now they are just piling on top of each other when they sleep! My question is, how many nest boxes do we need for 8 chickens and do we still need a place for them to roost in the coop? Also I haven't a clue when the hens lay an egg, if they do it at night or in the morning or anytime at all? Also do they sleep in the nest when they lay eggs or do they need a separate place to roost or sleep?
Any help would be appreciated. They are really good girls, they put themselves to bed as soon as the sun goes down and I let them out as soon as the sun comes up! They also free range in among my butterfly plants. My jack russell/cocker spaniel mix has made chicken watching his favorite pastime!
Thanks again,
Shirley & Nelson Decker