- Apr 18, 2014
- 31
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Little background, we have lived in our home for 4 years now and for 4 years my wife n twins wanted chickens. Why you ask? Well because our new home had a coop and run already on it.
Well I've been anti chicken because of "all the work". We already have 2 dogs 2 cats and 2 fish tanks and I didn't want another "pet" to take care of. Well this winter my neighbor went out of town for 10 days and asked if I'd get the eggs from his chickens while he was gone. Well those were his only instructions. Ever couple days grab eggs. No need to feed. No need to water. No coop to clean. Heck that's easy. Well as of a week ago we hatched 8 baby chicks and bought 4 more from tsc.
I've been reading away on here and the web learning every thing I can. So far the coop and run have been mended. I'll be building nesting boxes next week.
Couple of questions:
1. At what age are the chick a little less skittish? If I lay my hand in coop with food they will run right up n eat but if I try to pick one up the chase is on. Or if I walk past the brooder they run to the other side.
2. My coop had an enclosed run attached. Even has netting over top. Do I need a door where the birds enter and exit the run from the coop or can I just leave an opening there.
I ask because I will allow them to free range most days an didn't want to have to chase them into the run and coop and have to close two different doors. Or can I put like a pet door or plastic flap there to help with drafts and they can come and go as they please
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Well I've been anti chicken because of "all the work". We already have 2 dogs 2 cats and 2 fish tanks and I didn't want another "pet" to take care of. Well this winter my neighbor went out of town for 10 days and asked if I'd get the eggs from his chickens while he was gone. Well those were his only instructions. Ever couple days grab eggs. No need to feed. No need to water. No coop to clean. Heck that's easy. Well as of a week ago we hatched 8 baby chicks and bought 4 more from tsc.
I've been reading away on here and the web learning every thing I can. So far the coop and run have been mended. I'll be building nesting boxes next week.
Couple of questions:
1. At what age are the chick a little less skittish? If I lay my hand in coop with food they will run right up n eat but if I try to pick one up the chase is on. Or if I walk past the brooder they run to the other side.
2. My coop had an enclosed run attached. Even has netting over top. Do I need a door where the birds enter and exit the run from the coop or can I just leave an opening there.
I ask because I will allow them to free range most days an didn't want to have to chase them into the run and coop and have to close two different doors. Or can I put like a pet door or plastic flap there to help with drafts and they can come and go as they please
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
and Welcome To BYC! You might also like to check out the BYC Learning Center, lots of good articles on all aspects of chicken keeping and there are several in the Raising Chicks section on taming or socializing chicks. 
