New to Chickens - Question(s)

[Smuvers Farm]

Thanks for the tips. We got them some plastic crates out there until I can get them something better built. I am still working on convincing my better half that we can eat the eggs. I am game!

All great info here - and much appreciated! We are in the Land of Enchantment - NM. With further thought, I don't think we really have to worry much about feed. The neighbors are feeding them well - every day - when they feed their flock, they throw ours some thru the fence. She laid 2 eggs today The birds & eggs appear healthy.

Should I take all of her eggs at once? They are just starting to trust me a little. So much to learn - thanks for your patience.

Um... she laid 2 eggs today?!?!?

 

[TexasSam]

Not all chickens are created equal. Some are bred to be broody and others are bred to lay tons of eggs while others are bred to grow very fast to be dinner.

I went looking for your intro thread. It looks like your hen may be an egg layer hybrid. Can you post more pics of her so that you get a better feel if she will be likely to set eggs?

To better encourage her to lay in the nest box she and her fella may need to be closed in the coop for a few days.
Please visit the coops section to get a good feel for what she may need to feel safe in the coop.
Coops do not need to be fancy to be dry, secure from predators and protected from wind.

There are great coops people have made from free pallets. The reason I suggest a rebuild is you mentioned it got wet inside and you ended up with tarps. That may be one reason she is not laying in the coop. Tarps make a lot of noise in even a light rain and gentle wind.

Coops can be completely free maybe except screws . I have sense added a tin roof I found at a building demo. This is my secondary coop my first coop.I spent 800 on materials for my first coop . I used my old fence

 

[21hens-incharge]

Nice example of using materials already available Sam.

Free cycle, craigslist, asking other folks in your area if they have some extra materials, asking folks that are replacing fences are all good ways of finding what you need to build a little coop.

I would not trust that the neighbors are tossing enough food over to them. I would also worry that mice will be drawn in by food on the ground. I would be bold enough to talk to them about wanting to better provide for the birds and see if you can talk them into giving you some feed to get you through.

If you were closer to me I would help build them a shelter. Alas I am to far away.

 

[TexasSam]

Nice example of using materials already available Sam.

Free cycle, craigslist, asking other folks in your area if they have some extra materials, asking folks that are replacing fences are all good ways of finding what you need to build a little coop.

I would not trust that the neighbors are tossing enough food over to them. I would also worry that mice will be drawn in by food on the ground. I would be bold enough to talk to them about wanting to better provide for the birds and see if you can take them into giving you some feed to get you through.

If you were closer to me I would help build them a shelter. Alas I am to far away.

I've also seen people use large old dog house even look on CL for someone giving away free lumber this happens all the time

 

[21hens-incharge]

A simple design is an A-frame coop..... Very easy to build!

Just brainstorming lol.

 

[aart]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/hi-from-the-land-of-enchantment.1200519/

What an odd way to unintentionally start with chickens.
I'd have tossed both those birds right back over the fence,
but I guess you're OK with it.
Maybe there is community consensus.
Pretty irresponsible of the neighbor IMO,
especially if you can't really afford to house them,
nice that he's kind of feeding them I guess.
Best of cLuck to yas!

 

[Enchanted1s]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/hi-from-the-land-of-enchantment.1200519/

What an odd way to unintentionally start with chickens.
I'd have tossed both those birds right back over the fence,
but I guess you're OK with it.
Maybe there is community consensus.
Pretty irresponsible of the neighbor IMO,
especially if you can't really afford to house them,
nice that he's kind of feeding them I guess.
Best of cLuck to yas!

I would have to be able to catch the birds in order to throw them back LOL! I have yet to be able to get very close to them - let alone actually touch or pick them up.

I built their area right on the other side of the fence from the neighbors foul pens. Even if I was to get the old man to stop throwing the feed thru the fence - feed is all over the place on his side! I have always worried about the rodents and whatever else that their poor feeding habits cause. But the chickens seem to like being close to the others. We do somewhat consider them community chickens - of sorts. We are just trying to learn how to deal with our new family members. Even if I could have caught her - I could not throw her back over the fence after she witnessed the massacre of all of her litter mates! If they are going to stay, I have to do everything I can to assure they are happy & healthy. We discussed it and decided to put their 1st coop on a credit card. This will provide them with adequate shelter until I can get the plans and materials needed to build them something bigger. Hopefully, it will at least last long enough to get it paid for! LOL And it will give me a chance to learn more about them and their needs.

It is actually quite funny. My better half really likes these two birds - but doesn't want the eggs! I am working on that - hopefully some day... I was actually quite surprised when she started calling them 'our' chickens. If it makes her happy - I will find a way

 

[Enchanted1s]

View attachment 1147878
Coops can be completely free maybe except screws . I have sense added a tin roof I found at a building demo. This is my secondary coop my first coop.I spent 800 on materials for my first coop . I used my old fence

That is pretty awesome. I have not had much luck getting 'free' anything around here. I have found a source for pallets at $2 each - occasionally I will see an add for 'free' pallets, but so far none have ended up being free for me! We just closed on our place here in April of 2016.

Thanks for the inspiration!

 

[Smuvers Farm]

It is actually quite funny. My better half really likes these two birds - but doesn't want the eggs! I am working on that - hopefully some day... I was actually quite surprised when she started calling them 'our' chickens. If it makes her happy - I will find a way

Is there a reason she doesn't want the eggs?

 

[21hens-incharge]

Before you spend big bucks on a credit card for a coop....

Please, please, please.... Post what one you are looking at so you can get a real assessment on whether you are wasting your money on something that will fall apart in a matter of a few months.