Hello, Everybody!
My name is Barbie and I am a new "chicken mom", really a chicken grama. My son moved back home for awhile and brought Lucy with him. When he got into his new apartment, of course, they would not allow chickens so she is staying with me.
Initially I was very leery. As a child, growing up on a working farm, we had chickens, and a mean rooster. That dang rooster chased me and my brother and I was afraid of them. Until Lucy came along. She is sweet tempered, greets us every morning waiting for her food, and comes to meet us every time we come home.
I built her a chicken tractor, with four retractable wheels. That's a whole other story! She has been free ranging. Lesson to be learned. Chickens poop everywhere. Lucy's favorite spot is sitting in front of the French doors of our house. She has secured a spot on the table outside my kitchen window so it is covered with plastic to catch her droppings. I decided that I must keep her enclosed, not only for the safety aspect, but also for my sanity. In a short time, after hosing off the porch numerous times a day, even the paint is coming up.
Oh, boy, another project.
In any case, I am looking for a bitty so she won't be lonely and have decided to create a permanent spot for her. Living on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, it is HOT and HUMID! She will have a fan, as she does now on "her" front porch, and I will put it in the shade of a big old tree. I have googled chicken toys. She loves looking in a mirror that I have on the porch, so she has a mirror. and I made her a swing. She is not so sure about that yet.
My next project is a big run, and placement to a permanent location. I have some questions. I have kept the porch clean, what is the best method of keeping a permanent coop, clean and non-smelly, especially in such a hot climate. I still want her to be able to get her bugs. And I don't want her to be too far from the house. I have 1.8 acres and my property is over 500' long so I have lots of room. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.
Lucy is so darn funny and I have come to appreciate her. As a final note, I know my parents are up there laughing on a cloud because I was the one so scared of chickens when I was little!
My name is Barbie and I am a new "chicken mom", really a chicken grama. My son moved back home for awhile and brought Lucy with him. When he got into his new apartment, of course, they would not allow chickens so she is staying with me.
Initially I was very leery. As a child, growing up on a working farm, we had chickens, and a mean rooster. That dang rooster chased me and my brother and I was afraid of them. Until Lucy came along. She is sweet tempered, greets us every morning waiting for her food, and comes to meet us every time we come home.
I built her a chicken tractor, with four retractable wheels. That's a whole other story! She has been free ranging. Lesson to be learned. Chickens poop everywhere. Lucy's favorite spot is sitting in front of the French doors of our house. She has secured a spot on the table outside my kitchen window so it is covered with plastic to catch her droppings. I decided that I must keep her enclosed, not only for the safety aspect, but also for my sanity. In a short time, after hosing off the porch numerous times a day, even the paint is coming up.
Oh, boy, another project.In any case, I am looking for a bitty so she won't be lonely and have decided to create a permanent spot for her. Living on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, it is HOT and HUMID! She will have a fan, as she does now on "her" front porch, and I will put it in the shade of a big old tree. I have googled chicken toys. She loves looking in a mirror that I have on the porch, so she has a mirror. and I made her a swing. She is not so sure about that yet.
My next project is a big run, and placement to a permanent location. I have some questions. I have kept the porch clean, what is the best method of keeping a permanent coop, clean and non-smelly, especially in such a hot climate. I still want her to be able to get her bugs. And I don't want her to be too far from the house. I have 1.8 acres and my property is over 500' long so I have lots of room. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.
Lucy is so darn funny and I have come to appreciate her. As a final note, I know my parents are up there laughing on a cloud because I was the one so scared of chickens when I was little!
With a yard that size I'd probably keep her shelter mobile and move her every day. alternatively, if you're in a location that allows electric fence feather net 
Welcome to Backyard chickens
