Figured I should introduce myself. I am new to chickens and got started when I read an article on backyard chickens in the local Times-Picayune (New Orleans) and I got the bug. I casually mentioned it to my sons (one here in town and one in Abilene, TX) and they also got the bug.
Young son (here) immediately built a coop and run. His community actually does not allow them but he did it on the sly. He has three, a production red, Barred Rock, and a Amerucana. He wanted variety. All three are now laying almost daily and started almost a month ago.
Elder son (in Abilene) is going the tractor route and is building it out of steel framing given to him by an awning company. He got enough to build two, one for him and one for his son-in-law. I have urged him to join here and post his design, which is about half completed.
I am about 6 weeks behind young son with my birds, three RI Reds. I wanted eggs. They will be 20 weeks about August 12. Mine live in a 7.5'X10.5' converted dog kennel run with a cement floor I covered with about an inch of sand to protect their feet. It is fenced on 2 sides with fencing (existing) and 2 sides and overhead with chicken wire. Should I re-enforce the chicken wire around the lower half?
The coop is raised about 3 feet and is about 3.5'X6' with a deep litter floor. The coop is in the process of being electrified for lights or warmth as needed.
What little we know about chickens we picked up here by lurking and reading posts, so I figure it is time to say hello and thanks for all the information we found here.
Chickens are not very bright but they are entertaining. We have lots of cats in the neighborhood (one neighbor two houses down has at least 30!), so when we let them out to free range, which they dearly love, we stay with them and enjoy a glass of wine and let them entertain us with their chicken antics. Better than TV! We do this late afternoon so it is easier to get them to return to the run/coop at dusk.
Looking forward to sharing chicken tales and information with you all.
Lane
Young son (here) immediately built a coop and run. His community actually does not allow them but he did it on the sly. He has three, a production red, Barred Rock, and a Amerucana. He wanted variety. All three are now laying almost daily and started almost a month ago.
Elder son (in Abilene) is going the tractor route and is building it out of steel framing given to him by an awning company. He got enough to build two, one for him and one for his son-in-law. I have urged him to join here and post his design, which is about half completed.
I am about 6 weeks behind young son with my birds, three RI Reds. I wanted eggs. They will be 20 weeks about August 12. Mine live in a 7.5'X10.5' converted dog kennel run with a cement floor I covered with about an inch of sand to protect their feet. It is fenced on 2 sides with fencing (existing) and 2 sides and overhead with chicken wire. Should I re-enforce the chicken wire around the lower half?
The coop is raised about 3 feet and is about 3.5'X6' with a deep litter floor. The coop is in the process of being electrified for lights or warmth as needed.
What little we know about chickens we picked up here by lurking and reading posts, so I figure it is time to say hello and thanks for all the information we found here.
Chickens are not very bright but they are entertaining. We have lots of cats in the neighborhood (one neighbor two houses down has at least 30!), so when we let them out to free range, which they dearly love, we stay with them and enjoy a glass of wine and let them entertain us with their chicken antics. Better than TV! We do this late afternoon so it is easier to get them to return to the run/coop at dusk.
Looking forward to sharing chicken tales and information with you all.
Lane
