Ms Rose
Chirping
Hello all! After lurking off and on for many months, I've finally joined the group! I live in a beautiful rural area in Ontario, Canada with my sweetie pie. We have a nice big property with lots of space for us to play where we are also getting ready to build a house. We have dogs and horses and now I want to add some chickens. We are going to start with a small number of laying hens, probably just 6 or 8 but meat birds are also on the horizon.
We have a partially built 10ft x 10ft dog kennel surrounded by a 6ft high fence that we are going to complete as our main coop. The run itself will be covered. The coop is next to our current dog kennel. I also have a smaller coop by my garden that will be a summer option. Protection from predators is a concern as there are lots of coyotes, foxes, raccoons, ermine/weasels etc in the area. I'm hoping that being next to the dog kennels will deter some of the critters, but we have seen coyote tracks right up to the pen that is housing our Italian Mastiff!
I've been researching the different breeds and have not decided for sure which I want but I do know I want a different coloured eggs. Layers that live and lay longer and that will lay over the winter preferred. Our area gets very cold in the winter but also fairly hot in the summer. I need some hardy breeds that are ok with both heat/cold. A dual purpose in the mix isn't a bad idea. I'll likely get a rooster at some point as well. Suggestions and opinions welcome.
We have a partially built 10ft x 10ft dog kennel surrounded by a 6ft high fence that we are going to complete as our main coop. The run itself will be covered. The coop is next to our current dog kennel. I also have a smaller coop by my garden that will be a summer option. Protection from predators is a concern as there are lots of coyotes, foxes, raccoons, ermine/weasels etc in the area. I'm hoping that being next to the dog kennels will deter some of the critters, but we have seen coyote tracks right up to the pen that is housing our Italian Mastiff!
I've been researching the different breeds and have not decided for sure which I want but I do know I want a different coloured eggs. Layers that live and lay longer and that will lay over the winter preferred. Our area gets very cold in the winter but also fairly hot in the summer. I need some hardy breeds that are ok with both heat/cold. A dual purpose in the mix isn't a bad idea. I'll likely get a rooster at some point as well. Suggestions and opinions welcome.
Glad you joined.
Hello and welcome to BYC. You found an Amazing Poultry Community to be a part of, with many knowledgeable members who are willing to help you along your journey with any questions you may have. Enjoy 
