Newbie coop

[NottinghamChicks]

I think your tiny coop is quite nice for two chickens. I would cover the top with Ice and water shield and or shingles. Where there will only be two I would insulate but be sure the is some ventillation so they do not get frostbite in the winter. Chickens are very destructive and will love all the places you have to perch. What I would do becasue it is apparent thaat you don't want your yard to look like hell, is get two, keep them in the coop and run, and only let them out to free range for an hour right before dusk a couple of nights a week as a treat. Mine only free range when I get home from work from 5pm until dusk. They are all happy and healthy

 

[jimg5613]

Looks like a good setup for 2 birds. They will poop everywhere if you let them freerange. They are naturally curious and will be all over the furniture. Good luck with the new chicks.

Very smart to get the coop before the chickens. I wasn't that smart. I bought chickens and then got started on the coop.

 

[revolution rooster]

Built mine out of a bunch of oak bunk beds.

 

[Gardengirl 2011]

I agree with your idea of fencing in a small run area for them. Don't give up, it's attainable in your yard! Which is beautiful by the way! Lucky you to have a DH in hardscaping business. The coop is fine for 2 chickens and it looks great.

With that said, my coop is completely fenced in and I don't have to worry so much about predators where I am.

 

[BellevueOmlet]

It looks like you will have a somewhat small coop so you might want waterers and feeders that do not take up much space. This is what I do:

You backyard is great!!!, when are you inviting us over for a barbeque?

 

[greenbottle27]

Hey everybody!

Thanks TONS for all the postive words of encouragement, pictures and great advice!

I believe that there was even an offer of someone wanting to come over and cook out for me?? Chicken-ka-bobs??

We entertain all the time in the Spring-Fall. It is out little piece of heaven. It was actually a dump and we have done lots of improvements. Luckily we didn't over improve and are worth more than what we owe - whew! Much as we would love to upgrade to something bigger and more grande, this isn't the time for for biting off more than we can chew. It was our starter home bought 10+ years ago. We are happy and that is what counts. Well, I am. I can't speak for him

DH and I had a heart to heart this afternoon and he is going to put the coop in the flower bed against the fence (as I planned), then put up some fence/run around that to contain them to that area. Then, as a treat after/later afternoon they can free range and "enjoy the patio"

As the hiccups come along we will evolve and roll with it.

I had some local yolkels take a peek at everything and they kept telling us to stop over analyzing it. We are taking the fun out of it. More chickens have lived in less and are happy healthy layer. So.... here we go - we are doing it!

Next up - to pick our peepers

I have used the breed selector tool on a few sites and have come up with a short list. I'll post in the breed section for input.