New but looking to learn

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mdzw

mdzw

In the Brooder
Jan 28, 2015
20
2
31
Beach Lake, PA
Hi, I am new to the whole backyard chicken idea. I've been toying with the idea for the last 2-3 years. My sister decided she wanted to try it too. We live an hour apart but are learning together. We ordered 6 chicks from Myers Hatchery. 2 Easter eggers each & 1 Dominique each. We get them in early April. Looking now into getting a small coop & brooding equipment. We are both reading & learning alot. Sometimes we find conflicting information. I am not a builder. What is a good coop to buy for 6 chickens. I am getting 3 for now & when they stop laying they will be pets & get 3 more to lay.I need a coop that will be good in the winter as I live in Northeast PA. Also I am worrying about making it critter proof. All advice is welcome.Thanks
 
Welcome to BYC!
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We're glad to have you.

A good coop to buy or build would be one that:

  • Has enough space. Each chicken should have at least four square feet of inside space. More is better. Sometimes, less works too, but you run a higher risk of fighting and pecking.
  • Is protected from predators. Make sure that it has secure latches. If there is a attached run, make sure that the wire run can either be extended twelve inches below ground, or that it has a wire "skirt" that extends out about eighteen inches. Use hardware cloth; chicken wire is weak and easy for predators to break.
  • Has enough ventilation. Poor ventilation can lead to a whole host of problems. It can cause respiratory diseases, and lead to frostbite in cold weather as moisture builds up.
  • Is easy to clean. It is no fun to clean a coop that is cramped or hard to clean. Pick a design that can be raked out or otherwise easily cleaned.
  • Is draft free. Be sure that no cold winter wind is going to come howling over the chickens while they are roosting.
  • Has enough roost space. Each chicken will need at least 8 inches of roost space.
  • Has room for at least two nest boxes. Nest boxes can easily cut into the total amount of space in a coop and make the chickens crowded.
  • You like the look of. Don't pick a coop that is going to make your yard look ugly, if that matters to you. Many chicken coops can be quite attractive.

In response to one of your later questions, it is fine to not let broody hens hatch chicks. They won't be too unhappy, especially if your break them of their broodiness early. This usually involves keeping them out of the nest boxes for a couple of days so that they forget about being broody.

You've picked two very good breeds. I haven't kept Dominiques, but my Easter Egger has been quiet, docile, and a very good layer of lovely green eggs. Dominques have a reputation for being hardy, especially in the cold.

Good luck with your future flock! If you have any other questions, just ask! We'll be happy to help in any way we can.
 
Well really and truly you can use a dog pen and put a topping on it so they can stay dry and still have plenty of fresh air. You can also easily move the pen to many different areas if needed. I used this this Technique and it worked great.
 
Welcome to BYC- have you visited the Learning center? That is a great first start, then I would recommend the coops forum and Predator threads.
 
mdzw said:
Hi, I am new to the whole backyard chicken idea. I've been toying with the idea for the last 2-3 years. My sister decided she wanted to try it too. We live an hour apart but are learning together. We ordered 6 chicks from Myers Hatchery. 2 Easter eggers each & 1 Dominique each. We get them in early April. Looking now into getting a small coop & brooding equipment. We are both reading & learning alot. Sometimes we find conflicting information. I am not a builder. What is a good coop to buy for 6 chickens. I am getting 3 for now & when they stop laying they will be pets & get 3 more to lay.I need a coop that will be good in the winter as I live in Northeast PA. Also I am worrying about making it critter proof. All advice is welcome.Thanks
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Welcome to BYC! If you plan to increase flock size, build a coop with enough floor space for the number of birds you intend to end up with. You need a minimum of 4 square feet per bird inside the coop. You also need roosting space for each (they should not and do not sleep in nesting boxes unless broody or sick). You will also need at least one nest box per 4 hens. EE's are nice birds but do not go broody and do not breed true at all. To hatch, you will either need fertilized eggs or a rooster. Remember, the size of your coop pre-determines the number of birds you can keep. Birds should also have an enclosed out door run(10 sq. ft. per bird) safe from predators and to use in winter. Happy chicken keeping!
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ETA: unless temps are in the negative, birds should not need additional heat. EE's are a good choice for cold hardiness (i know nothing about dominiques) What is important is good ventilation,w/o drafts and low moisture in the coop ie. droppings, rain and birds' breath too! My chickens do very well here in MI w/o heat or insulation. I have EE's, BO's, Amberlinks and RIR's.
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GOLDENSEABRIGHT said:
As for winter, I used a large tarp to cover the sides. I would put a bedding in two corners so they can stay cozy.
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justplainbatty said:
Welcome to BYC! If you plan to increase flock size, build a coop with enough floor space for the number of birds you intend to end up with. You need a minimum of 4 square feet per bird inside the coop. You also need roosting space for each (they should not and do not sleep in nesting boxes unless broody or sick). You will also need at least one nest box per 4 hens. EE's are nice birds but do not go broody and do not breed true at all. To hatch, you will either need fertilized eggs or a rooster. Remember, the size of your coop pre-determines the number of birds you can keep. Birds should also have an enclosed out door run(10 sq. ft. per bird) safe from predators and to use in winter. Happy chicken keeping! :)   :welcome  

ETA: unless temps are in the negative, birds should not need additional heat. EE's are a good choice for cold hardiness (i know nothing about dominiques) What is important is good ventilation,w/o drafts and low moisture in the coop ie. droppings, rain and birds' breath too! My chickens do very well here in MI w/o heat or insulation. I have EE's, BO's, Amberlinks and RIR's.  :)
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thanks, I don't plan on getting a rooster unless I have a real problem with preditors. I understand they defend the flock,but they can be nasty. I figure when the first 3 stop laying, I will get 3 more chicks & hand raise them until they are big enough to enter the coop. If a hen is "broody" does it matter if she doesn't get to hatch chicks? I would like my hens to be happy & as friendly as possible. My sister is concerned about introducing hens in later because of upsetting the "pecking order". I have not read about this yet. There was a chicken I wanted that I guess was rare because I couldn't get it till July. It is supposed to be very friendly & affectionate. I would love my birds to be affectionate. Lol. I read the best way to do this is to handle them a lot as chicks. It was a blue Orpington, if I find one locally I May still get one.
 
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