(1) Are you new to chickens / when did you first get chickens?
Yes, 2 weeks ago we purchased our 1st three hens and a couple days later our last 3.
We have 6 chickens: an Ameraucana, Black Star, Rhode Island Red, Golden Sex Link and 2 Speckled Sussex.
I found out about BackYardChickens.com from a web search about things to know about raising chicks.
My other personal hobbies are digital collage, listening to audiobooks--I listen to one every night to help me get to sleep, re-learning how to crochet and 1st time learner of tatting (with a shuttle)
My hubby of 27 yrs. actually has wanted chickens for a long time and I wasn't so sold on the idea. I thought it would be too much work and not so sure I trusted chickens.....they have a sharp beak, you know!
After talking about it a lot, me doing research online and getting more and more ready for some fresh eggs, finally to jump in with both feet this spring. We needed more winter hardy breeds or that do well with confinement. We're still designing our perfect coop and run that fits in our yard, and from poring over lots of plans, seeing what we like and don't....we'll get to building soon.
We share a house with a mother-in-law apt. with my parents. Dad's excited about trying our hand at chicken rearing---having grown up on a farm. Mom's not as crazy about it, but being a good sport, as it's 3 against one.
We have 3 dogs:
1) A Long-Haired 4.8 lb. Female Chihuahua, Jem, (She seems to just be interested in what the chickens have that she can eat, too. I think she'll be afraid of the chickens once they are taller than she is.
2) A Male Yorkie: Attcus, who right now that they are so small seems to kick in his prey drive. We don't open their cage unless he's out of the room.
3) A Cavalier King Charles/Border Terrier Mix: Polly, who seems to want to just lick them and mother or herd them. She's not allowed in the room when their cage is open yet, either, just to be on the safe side.
The chicks right now are in the house, in the 2 bigger dogs kennel and happy as clams.
Any suggestions on getting off to a good start between chickens and dogs?
We are planning a 4X6 coop and to be determined exactly how long of attached run. 2 nesting boxes off the floor. Too big for 6 chickens? Too few nesting boxes?
Here's our 6 girls!
Yes, 2 weeks ago we purchased our 1st three hens and a couple days later our last 3.
We have 6 chickens: an Ameraucana, Black Star, Rhode Island Red, Golden Sex Link and 2 Speckled Sussex.
I found out about BackYardChickens.com from a web search about things to know about raising chicks.
My other personal hobbies are digital collage, listening to audiobooks--I listen to one every night to help me get to sleep, re-learning how to crochet and 1st time learner of tatting (with a shuttle)
My hubby of 27 yrs. actually has wanted chickens for a long time and I wasn't so sold on the idea. I thought it would be too much work and not so sure I trusted chickens.....they have a sharp beak, you know!
After talking about it a lot, me doing research online and getting more and more ready for some fresh eggs, finally to jump in with both feet this spring. We needed more winter hardy breeds or that do well with confinement. We're still designing our perfect coop and run that fits in our yard, and from poring over lots of plans, seeing what we like and don't....we'll get to building soon.
We share a house with a mother-in-law apt. with my parents. Dad's excited about trying our hand at chicken rearing---having grown up on a farm. Mom's not as crazy about it, but being a good sport, as it's 3 against one.
We have 3 dogs:
1) A Long-Haired 4.8 lb. Female Chihuahua, Jem, (She seems to just be interested in what the chickens have that she can eat, too. I think she'll be afraid of the chickens once they are taller than she is.
2) A Male Yorkie: Attcus, who right now that they are so small seems to kick in his prey drive. We don't open their cage unless he's out of the room.
3) A Cavalier King Charles/Border Terrier Mix: Polly, who seems to want to just lick them and mother or herd them. She's not allowed in the room when their cage is open yet, either, just to be on the safe side.
The chicks right now are in the house, in the 2 bigger dogs kennel and happy as clams.
Any suggestions on getting off to a good start between chickens and dogs?
We are planning a 4X6 coop and to be determined exactly how long of attached run. 2 nesting boxes off the floor. Too big for 6 chickens? Too few nesting boxes?
and Welcome To BYC! Congratulations on your new chicks, they are cute, nice assortment of breeds! If your girls are going to be in the coop for long stretches over the winter, you might consider making the coop a little bigger if you can, more space is usually better. Two nesting boxes should be fine for six hens. 
