New to Chickens, New to BYC

Date sort Score sort
fawngrovechad

fawngrovechad

Chirping
7 Years
Aug 27, 2012
248
5
91
PA in USA
Hi everyone! Im a new chicken guy from southern PA...right on the PA/MD border. I converted one part of my barn to a chicken coop and Im just 6 days into raising chickens. We have 3 RIR's, 1 Barred Rock, and 1 Silkie (just had to get her!). Anything I need to know/do/not do/etc!? Their coop is on concrete floor on the back 1/3 of an addition to the barn. Its 8x10 and could always make it bigger. The girls free range under me and my kids supervision and go to town eating up everything. The girls are 5-6 weeks old and hang pretty darn close together in the coop and out back. We have a big dog (Brazilian Mastiff) and some killer outside cats. Any advice is welcome! I will have to get some pics up soon!
 
WelcometoBYC.gif
. Sounds like you have it all under control!
 
Thanks Kevin...When will my Silkie stop looking like the ugly duckling?! She sure doesnt like to share anything she picks up off the ground.
 
fawngrovechad said:
Thanks Kevin...When will my Silkie stop looking like the ugly duckling?! She sure doesnt like to share anything she picks up off the ground.
Click to expand...
I think it takes a few weeks to get out of that stage. I've never raised a chicken though so I'm not for sure.
fawngrovechad said:
Also, i dont have a run outside the coop...just goes from the coop to outside. Do I need a run or can do without?
Click to expand...
If they get plenty of free range and they have enough space in their coop I don't think it's a must have. However, it does come in handy when you can't be there to supervise.
 
Thanks Kevin...the silkie looks like a mini ostrich! Its cute though..and ugly all at the same time! I think by spring I might put a nice run outback for them....baby steps for me :) What is a good number of chickens to have in a coop my size....8x10?
 
The minimum space suggested is usually 4 square feet per Standard bird and 2 Square Feet per bantam. However, if you don't have a run most people suggest 10 sq feet per bird. Which would allow for 8 birds in total.
 
It's no problem at all. Poultry can defiantly be very addicting! My adventure all started with two ducklings. Obviously that didn't last for long
gig.gif
 
Hello and welcome to BYC
frow.gif
Glad you joined us!
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom