New Chicken Mom in the making

[Lisa0]

Hi All...it is finally happening. After 7 years of saving egg cartons and BEGGING my husband for chickens he broke down. We live on 4.25 acres in upstate NY, but on an original portion of a 1700's farm, we have a huge 1800's barn and soil that most folks would die for. I have been organic farming for years and have wanted animals since I was born, lol. A few years ago he allowed me to become a beekeeper (he is highly allergic) and I knew there was a chink in his armour. So we just ordered what was supposed to be a few chickens and my chicken math stinks...so we now have 14 chickens and 8 Guinea hens coming in april! We have 2 of each: barred plymouth rock, black australop, buff orpinton, rhode island red, buff rock, french blue copper maran and blue wyandotte. after a year or so, I will get more like easter eggers and some americana. I figured go big or go home...we are currently working on designs for our new large coop to attach to our barn. Any and all advice of things you would have done differently now that you are an experienced chicken "parent", I would gladly take. Little bit about how I live: I am an organic farmer and have about an acre of food/veggies/herbs etc. we also have tons of flower gardens all over. I make herbs, teas, tinctures, all my own cleaning supplies, soap, shampoos etc. I plan on doing deep litter method and want to ferment their food, unsure how to do it in advance and keep it, how much to feed etc. Also roosting bars, should I use 2x4 or get metal ones? any other infor for building the coop would be appreciated. Thank you so much for reading my long chicken butt thread!!

 

[BoundlessLove]

Welcome to Backyard Chickens, Lisa.
Glad to have you here!

What would I have done differently with our first flock?
Probably would have chosen a different breed.

 

[Debbie292d]

Hiya, and welcome to BYC!

I wouldn't use metal roosting bars. Here in Wisconsin especially as they'd be cold. 2x4's work much better, and if it gets cold there, I'd put them sideways so they can sit better on their feet.

Fermenting is a three-day process. Here's an old post where I explained how we do it: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/fermenting-chicken-feed.1645529/post-28141761

We're glad you're here!

 

[pennyJo1960]

Welcome to Backyard Chickens. This is a great place to explore and hang out. You have been given great advice.

 

[DobieLover]

Hello Lisa, and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.

Absolutely do not use metal roosting bars. They conduct cold and would be terrible during New York winters. Stick with 2x4s. I ripped mine down closer to a 2x3 then rounded over the edges.

Fermenting is very easy. I have the same container fermenting that I started over 3 years ago. You'll get the feel for how much food the birds are going to need to eat and you scoop out that much into a second container, add enough dry to it to get it to the right consistency and feed it. Then the ferment container gets more dry and more water added to it, mixed thoroughly and kept in a relatively warm location to ferment. You just keep doing that day after day.

You will not need to purchase Easter Eggers. I will sell you a show quality, dominant white Ameraucana cockerel next year and he will be happy to breed your hens to make EEs. I'm sure one of your hens will be more than happy to hatch the eggs for you!