orpingtonnz
Chirping
Hello 
(1) Are you new to chickens / when did you first get chickens?
I had a few pet bantams as I child and I loved them, but I am new to chickens as an adult.
(2) How many chickens do you have right now?
None but have three black/blue Orpington pullets to pick up in a few weeks.
(3) What breeds do you have?
We will have black/blue Orpingtons.
(4) What are your favorite aspects of raising backyard chickens?
As a child I loved bonding with my chicken and I hope that my daughter can get the same joy.
(5) What are some of your other hobbies?
Art.
(6) Tell us about your family, your other pets, your occupation, or anything else you'd like to share.
I live in a suburban area in a regional town in New Zealand with my partner and our toddler.
(7) Bonus: How did you find BYC, how long have you known about BYC, and what made you finally join our awesome community?
I Googled some questions and the searches linked to this site. The information and community on the site seemed very good so I am keen to join to get some support.
I do have a few questions:
1. The run will be an area approx 3.5 × 20m, so about 70m2 (750 square feet?). The area has fruit trees and some weeds and pumpkins growing. Do you think this will be sufficient for the ground to remain in reasonable condition ie not turn into dirt only/ still have life in it?
2. I think the previous owner had built a chicken coop as the garden shed appears to have nest boxes. The shed is 4m x 2m, so 8m2 (86 square feet??) and has 2 very deep nest boxes. The walls are 2 made of wood, and 2 made of wire, so about 6m of each. The coop is in a sheltered area under some large trees and in a small gully. Do you think the chickens will be warm enough with 2 walls wire only? When i was down there today it felt a bit breezy. In winter here there is frost often but not snow, so it would get cold overnight (-2 degrees Celsius at coldest probably). It is currently summer. I am planning to use a deep litter method. So the question is, will that be warm enough, or should I line it more?
3. I read that Orpingtons can't fly much, we have deer fencing around most of the run area with chicken wire about 1 foot high inside that. I'm thinking that might not be sufficient so we are going to put 1m high plastic netting inside the fence as well, do you think this will be ok and stop pullets getting out? (Born mid October). I'm hoping they will be happy in the run so not inclined to want to leave anyway but thought I should check.
Thank you
I hope in time I have enough knowledge to contribute to answers.
(1) Are you new to chickens / when did you first get chickens?
I had a few pet bantams as I child and I loved them, but I am new to chickens as an adult.
(2) How many chickens do you have right now?
None but have three black/blue Orpington pullets to pick up in a few weeks.
(3) What breeds do you have?
We will have black/blue Orpingtons.
(4) What are your favorite aspects of raising backyard chickens?
As a child I loved bonding with my chicken and I hope that my daughter can get the same joy.
(5) What are some of your other hobbies?
Art.
(6) Tell us about your family, your other pets, your occupation, or anything else you'd like to share.
I live in a suburban area in a regional town in New Zealand with my partner and our toddler.
(7) Bonus: How did you find BYC, how long have you known about BYC, and what made you finally join our awesome community?
I Googled some questions and the searches linked to this site. The information and community on the site seemed very good so I am keen to join to get some support.
I do have a few questions:
1. The run will be an area approx 3.5 × 20m, so about 70m2 (750 square feet?). The area has fruit trees and some weeds and pumpkins growing. Do you think this will be sufficient for the ground to remain in reasonable condition ie not turn into dirt only/ still have life in it?
2. I think the previous owner had built a chicken coop as the garden shed appears to have nest boxes. The shed is 4m x 2m, so 8m2 (86 square feet??) and has 2 very deep nest boxes. The walls are 2 made of wood, and 2 made of wire, so about 6m of each. The coop is in a sheltered area under some large trees and in a small gully. Do you think the chickens will be warm enough with 2 walls wire only? When i was down there today it felt a bit breezy. In winter here there is frost often but not snow, so it would get cold overnight (-2 degrees Celsius at coldest probably). It is currently summer. I am planning to use a deep litter method. So the question is, will that be warm enough, or should I line it more?
3. I read that Orpingtons can't fly much, we have deer fencing around most of the run area with chicken wire about 1 foot high inside that. I'm thinking that might not be sufficient so we are going to put 1m high plastic netting inside the fence as well, do you think this will be ok and stop pullets getting out? (Born mid October). I'm hoping they will be happy in the run so not inclined to want to leave anyway but thought I should check.
Thank you
I hope in time I have enough knowledge to contribute to answers.
Glad you joined.
to have you here with us. Enjoy your time here at BYC!
