New in Fairmont, NC- Would appreciate advice

Hey all!

I'm in Southeastern North Carolina. We have hot summers here (most days 90-105) and mild winters (maybe 2 or three days where it snows and 20 or so id REALLY cold). We are looking at adding some chickens and Guinea hens to our family. We want to make their home as best we can to start, and of course spend as little as possible. I am thinking maybe 8-12 hens right now and maybe 4 Guineas that we'll train to roost with the hens at night, but will have freedom to fly out of the pen and free range during the day. We're thinking a coop around 8X8. Here are my current questions.....

Is there a standard for how big the run needs to be? I've found guidlines for the coop, but are there any for the run? What would be recommended?

Are there any plants I could plant inside the run that the chickens wouldn't kill, but would give them some shade and a place to hide?

Is there a benefit to having a rooster? We only want the eggs, we aren't planning to hatch any chicks out or raise them for meat. I hears that the roosters can have issues with the guinea males, so figured we'd just go with no rooster.

For breeds I am currently looking at Easter Eggers, Astralorps, and favorolles. (sorry if I butchered any of those) We want egg producers with temperaments that won't scare my young kids and I figured the various colors of eggs would be fun for them.

Will love any advice you guys can give! also, if anyone know where to get Guinea eggs or peeps in small numbers, like a dozen or less, I'd love to know that too. I don't need 25 of them!

Beth

 

Yes! Just 20 miles South of Lumberton. We head up there to do our shopping!