- Jun 22, 2011
- 12
- 1
- 22
Hi! I am new to chickens, and in fact don't actually have any yet, but have been watching our friends' flock since they started a year ago. I am now thoroughly addicted!
I live high in the mountains (at 9,000 ft) above Denver with my husband, a white cat and a large black dog. We have children and grandchildren who live in Denver and visit often. We only talked about being close to food sources when the kids were still at home, but I'd really like to introduce the reality of it to my grandkids. So I plan on keeping 4 to 6 hens at a time (go ahead, laugh...) and butchering/replacing them when egg production falls off. As I understand it, I have a few years before I have to stick to my guns on that choice!
Right now, though, I am collecting wood (yay Craigslist!) to put together a coop about 4x4x4, double-walled and insulated. I have an offer from friends of cedar panelling that they just pulled out of their rec room. Would that be okay for the outside wall, or is the cedar still going to cause respiratory problems for my chickens?
I am also trying to plot a small chick order that will result in a mixed group of 4 (or more) adult hens. I need cold-hardy, docile birds... I am thinking Faverolles, Speckled Sussex and Wyandottes, and maybe Light Brahmas next Spring. Any comments or ideas?
I live high in the mountains (at 9,000 ft) above Denver with my husband, a white cat and a large black dog. We have children and grandchildren who live in Denver and visit often. We only talked about being close to food sources when the kids were still at home, but I'd really like to introduce the reality of it to my grandkids. So I plan on keeping 4 to 6 hens at a time (go ahead, laugh...) and butchering/replacing them when egg production falls off. As I understand it, I have a few years before I have to stick to my guns on that choice!
Right now, though, I am collecting wood (yay Craigslist!) to put together a coop about 4x4x4, double-walled and insulated. I have an offer from friends of cedar panelling that they just pulled out of their rec room. Would that be okay for the outside wall, or is the cedar still going to cause respiratory problems for my chickens?
I am also trying to plot a small chick order that will result in a mixed group of 4 (or more) adult hens. I need cold-hardy, docile birds... I am thinking Faverolles, Speckled Sussex and Wyandottes, and maybe Light Brahmas next Spring. Any comments or ideas?
