New to BYC and to raising chickens...HELP

[Franklinchick]

I have recently moved to Middle Tennessee and live in a rural area. I want to raise chickens but I have lots of questions that don't seem to be able to be answered anywhere that I can find. I want to be sure that it is something that will fit into our life well before getting into it. I have a question about dogs....what does everyone do with the chickens so the dogs won't attack them? I want the chickens to free range. I have a basset hound and I am worried that she may harm the chickens. I was also wondering if I would need a heat source in the coop in the winter...sometimes it snows here but it never lasts long. What breeds would be best for egg laying hens here in the south that tolerates heat and cold? If someone could help me out I would appreciate it.

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello there and welcome to BYC!

First, you might want to start with some reading in our learning center. Lots of good articles on getting started, building the coop, raising the chicks and keeping your adult flock happy, healthy and safe from predators...

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

As for breeds....there are lots of hardy, docile, and great laying chickens out there....Buff Orpingtons, Barred Rocks, Australorps, Wyandottes, Sussex's, Rhode Island Reds, Easter Eggers, etc... You might want to take a look at these two breeds pages on some quick info on the different breeds and their attributes....

http://www.sagehenfarmlodi.com/chooks/chooks.html

http://www.albc-usa.org/documents/chickenbreedcomparison.pdf

As for adding heat to the coop....Chickens can adapt to the most brutal of cold temps. There are members here in Alaska that keep their chickens in un insulated un heated coops. I do not use heat unless it is going to be -30 or more at night. If you build your coop with plenty of venting in the roof, have them roost low to the floor in quiet air, and they stay dry, they can tolerate some very cold temps. Chickens need to be able to go out side during the winter, not locked up in a stuffy bad air coop. Keep the air moving at the eaves of your coop to bring in fresh air and let out the moist wet air from the breathing and the pooping, and your birds should rarely if ever need added heat.

You also might want to chat with your chicken neighbors in your state thread to see how they do things in your territory...

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/440277/the-middle-tennessee-thread

Most dogs see chickens as dinner. So if you keep a dog on the loose, you will probably have to keep the birds in a run. There are threads here on training the dog to not eat your chickens, but not all dogs respond to these techniques...

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/700017/how-to-train-your-dog-not-to-kill-chickens

Good luck on this new adventure! If you have any further questions, feel free to ask. Welcome to our flock!

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! TwoCrows gave you some great links to get you started. Good luck with your future flock.

 

[mlrod1914]

Welcome.
Once you have checked out the links that were sent to you, if you have further specific questions we are all happy to help.

 

[Franklinchick]

Thanks for the help two crows. I will read up.

 

[Franklinchick]

Thanks so much. I appreciate you all.

 

[gander007]

Alright

So how is everything going with your flock and the dog situation ?????

 

[drumstick diva]

If you free range you have to be willing to accept some losses to predators. Everything seems to love chickens and once they get an easy meal will be back, and often bring their relatives with them