New to BackYard Chickens

[Lemma]

I know only a few things about chickens...I know they lay eggs, I know they have feathers and I know I like them fried with potatoes and gravy on the side. My kids have been begging for chickens since so many of their friends have them. At first my husband and I said no, but then we started thinking about the benefits of having chickens. The kids were thrilled to learn that they had convinced us that having chickens was a good idea. Now I need to learn all that I can about chickens until next spring, that's when we plan to get started. I started to do my 'research on chickens' and came across the "BackYard Chickens" website. It felt comfortable and friendly so I decided to join the masses. So here's what I've accomplished so far...I have an old dog pen 7ft x 12ft that I plan to use as the chicken run. What I need to know is how many chickens will it hold and how big to make the coop...And so my journey begins..

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC. Search the forums, ask questions, plan and you will be set to establish your flock next spring.

 

[ronmauldin]

Welcome from the Ocean State!

Rules of thumb: 6-8 sq ft of run per chicken, 2-4 sq ft of coop per chicken

 

[TwoCrows]

Welcome to BYC!

You could hold about 7 chickens in this space. The minimum space in the run is about 10 square feet per bird.

You might want to do some reading in our learning center while you are getting all this together. Lots of good articles on getting started, building the coop, space requirements, and raising your flock...

https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center

If you have any questions, that is what we are here for. Make yourself at home here on BYC and welcome to our flock!

 

[Bookwormbirds]

Hi, Bookwormbirds here.. I have about 15 ''rainbow'' layers, 4 Polish, 5 Lakenvelders, 3 Partridge Cochins, Several questionable breeds and a nice group of dark and light Brahmans. They are all 6 weeks old. I also just got a group of 5 ''weeder' Geese, 3 brown Indian runners, 3 Blue Swedish and 3 Cayuga ducklings. (one Cayuga is not doing well). So I have gone to the birds
I have a background in Poultry from University of Wyoming and in livestock nutrituon also. My daughter and I showed birds in Wyoming and have moved to SE Utah. Cant wait to start showing, and have inquires to ''renting'' birds from people!
I also garden extensively, read, and stitch.

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC Lemma! X3 on start with the Learning Center! Be sure to check out the Housing section for Coop info, there are some great articles on figuring out how much space you need etc. You might also want to check out your state thread and ask for tips on what works for coops in your area climate wise etc https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/270925/find-your-states-thread


Hello and Welcome To BYC Bookwormbirds! Sounds like you have a nice little flock! Sorry your one ducking is not doing well, you might want to post in the Duck and Emergencies forums about him https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/42/ducks and https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/10/emergencies-diseases-injuries-and-cures
Be sure to check out the Other Poultry section for the ducks and geese https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/66/other-backyard-poultry and your state thread for people in your area wanting birds https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/270925/find-your-states-thread

 

[TwoCrows]

Hi, Bookwormbirds here.. I have about 15 ''rainbow'' layers, 4 Polish, 5 Lakenvelders, 3 Partridge Cochins, Several questionable breeds and a nice group of dark and light Brahmans. They are all 6 weeks old. I also just got a group of 5 ''weeder' Geese, 3 brown Indian runners, 3 Blue Swedish and 3 Cayuga ducklings. (one Cayuga is not doing well). So I have gone to the birds
I have a background in Poultry from University of Wyoming and in livestock nutrituon also. My daughter and I showed birds in Wyoming and have moved to SE Utah. Cant wait to start showing, and have inquires to ''renting'' birds from people!
I also garden extensively, read, and stitch.

Hi Bookwormbirds and welcome to BYC!

Enjoy all your birds and welcome to our flock!

 

[drumstick diva]

Usually it's 4 sq.feet per bird inside the coop and 10 sq.feet per bird in the outside run. You could have 8 chickens in the run and would need a min. of 32 sq.feet coop to house the same number of birds- not counting nest boxes.

If you are able to give them more room inside and out, they will be happier. More room means less pecking and fighting.

 

[gander007]