Newbie from Freeport IL

[Johnnyfly41]

Hello, I am in rural NW Illinois and just joined the site.

Planning a coop and run that can be moved about my property occasionally for laying chickens.

I would love to hear from anyone in my area as I am on the steep part of the learning curve for housing, breeds etc. I will probably do about ten chickens max in a standing height 6 x 10 structure with attached roofed run. I would like a variety of breeds to make it interesting.

Thank you,

John
Freeport IL

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi, John and welcome to BYC - great that you have joined us. If you check out "chicken tractors" using the search box, or go to the Coops Section you should be able to get some inspiration.

More generally, you'll find lots of info in the Learning Centre - https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center and if you have a specific topic in mind, just type it in the search box - there's a wealth of information on past and present threads.

You may wish to consider joining your state thread as it will put you in touch with other BYC members in your area - https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/26/where-am-i-where-are-you

All the best
CT

 

[Johnnyfly41]

thank you, I will do that ! I am about 15 miles south of the Wisconsin border, so, may joint two groups when I find them. thanks !

 

[N F C]

Hi John! CTKen has given you some good information so I'll just say thanks for joining us.

 

[redsoxs]

Greetings from Kansas, Johnnyfly41, and

! Pleased to have you in our community! Best wishes and thanks for joining BYC!

 

[RodNTN]

I am glad you joined us!

 

[Teila]

G’Day from down under Johnnyfly41

Welcome!

CTKen has given you so great starting points so I will just add that I hope you enjoy BYC. There are lots of friendly and very helpful folks here so not only is it overflowing with useful information it is also a great place to make friends and have some fun. Unlike non chicken loving friends, family and colleagues, BYC’ers never tire of stories or pictures that feature our feathered and non feathered friends

 

[drumstick diva]

Hi John, glad you joined the BYC flock. To join both state threads, just put "Illinois," in the search box and then "Wisconsin,"

 

[Johnnyfly41]

Thanks, I think I got that done,,, well, maybe. I belong to several different forums due to my widely varied interests and hobbies, and do a equally poor job of navigating around them all.....

My head is whirring at the moment with coop shed plans..... always fun to have a project !

I have identified Cackle hatchery in Lebanon MO that has the chickens I would want and ships in small quantities just the birds I want. At this point, I am thinking spring is the best time to receive them, probably late march being the earliest possible window. Good timing for me too.

This is something I have been studying up on for many years, talking to chicken owners etc. I have some friends in the commercial egg business and their knowledge I am always gleaning. They do think I am crazy by the way. I think it's crazy to have millions of birds in confinement... haha.

Thank you all for the welcome and advice, this is a great group I can tell.