New Here/First Time Chicken Owner

[lockedhearts]

We raise and show horses and hubby has been wanting chickens. I got him 4 pullets for Easter. A Rhode Island Red, A Buff Orpington and 2 Aracaunas (One has white feathers, the other has tan)
We are in the process of building our coop and yard for them. Found a nice area and cleared it pff yesterday .
We are thinking that we should cover the yard since we have seen hawks in the area. We also have lotsof squrriels.
Does anyone know a good place to look at enclosed yard ideas? We found lots of coop ideas.
Also I am wanting to get a rooster and wanting suggestions on what breed to get for these girls?
We went to a tractor show last weekend and they always set up "Show" birds there. I am now intrigued by the idea of getting some for show. Any ideas there?
We will definitely use the deep litter method in the coop, I always get a 30ft spreader truck of shavings for my stalls so have those readily available.

 

[ozark hen]

Welcome locked hearts, go to BYC's coup design and construction and there are lots of wonderful ideas and pictures of coups/runs from the economy minded to the high end. Glad to have you.

 

[CarriBrown]

Welcome to the forum!
We would love to see pictures of your chicks and horses. There are a lot of horse people on this forum, too.
Hawks will swoop down and pick up a chicken so it's a good idea to have a cover over their run. My husband and I have chain link fencing for a run and it's good for keeping things out.

 

[lockedhearts]

Did not think of Chain link, we have extra from our backyard fence. Thats a good idea.