New to BYC and new to chickens!

[brad5155]

Hey guys just dropping in to introduce myself. My wife and I along with our 5 boys just bought 15 acres of woodland here in Southwest Michigan. I'm excited to get working on some projects but first order of business next to getting some bees will be a chicken coop. I'm going to need two coops so first I'm thinking of building a mobile tractor and using that to work the ground where my future gardens will be and in the meantime work on our bigger coop. Wife and I are thinking somewhere between 15 and 20 birds. We know, due to our location and observances, that we will have to deal with predators. there are many coyotes, foxes and other preds to chose from. Because of this and some pretty significant snowfall numbers, we think we'd like to have our coops by the house.......like within 30 feet or so.

Breeds we are looking at:
Black Australorp
Lavender Orpingtons
and a few others

would love any insight or input you all might have. God bless!

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

Hi

Glad you could join the flock! Congrats on your move and impending chicken adventures
The learning centre would be a great place for you to check out, lots of great articles to help you and your family get started. Here is the link ~ https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center

The coop section is also great for lots of ideas on differing coops and tractors ~ https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/2/Coop_Designs

Wishing you the very best of luck, be sure to ask all the questions you need to. Everyone here to help and very friendly.

Enjoy BYC

 

[sunflour]

so glad you have joined us.


Good luck with your plans and new adventure.

 

[TheTwoRoos]

welcome to byc

 

[Michael OShay]

Welcome to BYC. Glad you decided to join our flock. With the predators in your area, make sure that you build your coop like Fort Knox. There is a good article at http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2013/07/11-tips-for-predator-proofing-chickens.html on predator proofing your chickens. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have. We are here to help in any way we can. Cheers.

 

[drumstick diva]

Agree with Michael, you need a Fort Knox of a coop and also covered run, etc to keep your birds safe. Knowing your birds are safe from predators= will certainly add to the enjoyment of having your own flock.

 

[gander007]

Alright

great to have you joining the BYC flock

It is nice to be reading about the whole family getting into raising some chickens that is how I learned about poultry

Check out the BYC learning center

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome to BYC! It seems like you have exciting times ahead of you and i wish you all the best with your new venture.

All the best
CT

 

[NickyKnack]

Hello!

Welcome to BYC and the coop! There's a lot of great peeps here! Feel free to ask lots of questions. But most of all, make yourself at home. I'm so glad you decided to join the BYC family. I look forward to seeing you around BYC.