- Mar 12, 2014
- 2
- 0
- 7
Hi! We have been looking into chickens for a while, and a friend was getting a batch, so we are now the proud owners of 3 little chicks!
I did the research and preferred the BOs, but when the friend ordered, he got 50 pullets of various breeds, and they weren't separated. So we may have gotten 3 Buff Rocks instead, not being able to tell them apart. And of course my daughter (6yo) has completely fallen in love with them, so no trade offs now!
We have them inside, what with this crappy NJ winter weather. They're doing well, appropriate behavior indicating the heat is correct, they're eating and drinking well, and no pasty butt. I've been reading on "real" food (not crumbles) to supplement/treat with and will be getting them some grit so we can add to their diet.
Don't have a coop yet, but am looking for plans and free supplies via craigslist. I found two fence sections that could be great, might swing by and pick them up today...
Hubster is a little pissy, thinks we'll spend over $500 to build a coop, (I have rolls upon rolls of chicken wire and hardware cloth I got free, and am looking at harvesting and repurposing wood, so I'm wondering if he buys nails made of gold or something, lol) and at $5 a dozen for organic eggs, we won't recoup expenses until the chicks are out of production. He's going to have to get over it. LOL
If anyone has any coop advice or plans, or general advice, I'm open to ideas!
I know there's always someone who will think I did wrong by not having a complete chicken palace in place before getting the chicks, and I respect everyone's right to their opinion, but... what's done is done. No need to harp on that now. And I'm capable, competent, and have (and have had) various animals. This isn't my first rodeo.
I hope this forum isn't like that but I've been on other forums where people jump all over you for not having the most perfect setup and a Bachelors degree in whatever it is before you start....
That said, I know I don't know much yet, and am looking forward to learning from you all!
I did the research and preferred the BOs, but when the friend ordered, he got 50 pullets of various breeds, and they weren't separated. So we may have gotten 3 Buff Rocks instead, not being able to tell them apart. And of course my daughter (6yo) has completely fallen in love with them, so no trade offs now!
We have them inside, what with this crappy NJ winter weather. They're doing well, appropriate behavior indicating the heat is correct, they're eating and drinking well, and no pasty butt. I've been reading on "real" food (not crumbles) to supplement/treat with and will be getting them some grit so we can add to their diet.
Don't have a coop yet, but am looking for plans and free supplies via craigslist. I found two fence sections that could be great, might swing by and pick them up today...
Hubster is a little pissy, thinks we'll spend over $500 to build a coop, (I have rolls upon rolls of chicken wire and hardware cloth I got free, and am looking at harvesting and repurposing wood, so I'm wondering if he buys nails made of gold or something, lol) and at $5 a dozen for organic eggs, we won't recoup expenses until the chicks are out of production. He's going to have to get over it. LOL
If anyone has any coop advice or plans, or general advice, I'm open to ideas!
I know there's always someone who will think I did wrong by not having a complete chicken palace in place before getting the chicks, and I respect everyone's right to their opinion, but... what's done is done. No need to harp on that now. And I'm capable, competent, and have (and have had) various animals. This isn't my first rodeo.
I hope this forum isn't like that but I've been on other forums where people jump all over you for not having the most perfect setup and a Bachelors degree in whatever it is before you start....That said, I know I don't know much yet, and am looking forward to learning from you all!
and Welcome To BYC! TwoCrows gave you some good links to start with. Rocks are a nice breed, you should like them. Do a search on pallet coops for some great ideas on coops out of recycled/re-purposed materiel ie here is one 
