New to chickening and forums.

[KB3GZW]

Well, This is my first post here. I have been doing a lot of reading around this forum and I think it is really going to come in handy.

I am getting my first batch of chicks within the next month or so and I have a prospected lineup. Here it goes.

3 x Buff Orps
3 x White Leghorns
3 x Rhode Island Reds
3 x Barred Rocks
2 x Ameraucanas

Does this sound good? I cant have and roosters where I live, so these will all be hens.

I also have been messing around with a nesting box setup for the coop when I get one up. It used to be the computer desk in my living room until just about a week ago. I have been changing it into nesting boxes over the last couple of days and I was wondering if you guys think it is suitable.

Thanks

 

[muddler6]

Welcome, and I love the recycling of the old desk!! Just make sure that the desk/nest stays dry, if it is made out of that pressboard stuff with a paper cover it could swell and flake. With good ventilation your coop should stay pretty dry, just something to keep an eye on. Looks like you have a good line up of birds to start with!! This is the place for info an support!!

 

[terryc]

Quote:
Yes it is a great forum. The boxes should work as long as they are mounted inside the coop and can stay dry. I like that you recycled a product you no longer need. Beats dumping it in the landfill.

I use to live in your neck of the woods, just east of Bethlehem until I moved west. I sure do miss a good steak sandwich.

oh....and de N3OJT

Terry

 

[MissPrissy]

Welcome to the forum! Nice use of that desk. I have to echo the suggestion to keep it dry or it will flake apart.

 

[KB3GZW]

Yea I have seen first hand how this particle board will swell and lose its rigidity. The boxes will definitely be mounted inside the coop. I figure if I get a year or two(even a couple of months) out of it, its worth it.

Ah its nice to see another ham in the group. I am always surprised to see how many hams I find online.

I also have a question about the run I want to build. I want to make it using panels of 2x4 and welded wire fence. I will probably use hex bolts to fasten the panels together. This way I can change the layout every once and a while and also make it easily moveable if we move to a different house. Does this sound like a good idea?

I was always told not to use pressure treated lumber with animals. So I don't see why it would be a problem using it for the run, but what about the coop?

 

[KB3GZW]

I also have put this brooder together for when I get the chicks. It is an 18 gallon wash tub. It is quite small for the amount of birds I want to get. This will only last for a week or so until I can get a large appliance box, which I was told is a good idea.

 

[GwenFarms]

I love recyclers!

Thats gonna be a great nest box.

I don't know about the brooder though. That metal might get too hot with the light shining directly down and burn the chicks. Try using a rubbermaid tote, it'll work much better and can be used for something else when your done. Its also easy to clean. Other metal brooders usually have a smaller light in the back. It works a little different.

 

[lacyloo]

welcome to the forum

 

[arlee453]

Welcome, ditto on the cool recycled nest boxes, and ditto on the metal tub for brooder - use whatever smaller cardboard box you have hanging around until you can get one bigger OR a rubbermaid/sterlite/plastic tote.

 

[newchickmom]

Hi! Welcome!

LOVE the recycle use of the desk, very inventive! Looks like it will work great!