Newbie from Western Maine

[Mama Moose]

Hey everyone! This site is amazing! Full of wisdom and wonderful insight thus far.

We are new to chickens. We are excited about the journey we are starting. We just ordered 25 (prepared to lose a few, or so I've been told?).
We ordered 4 Ameraucana, 4 barred rock, 3 Australorp, 4 sex link, 3 buff orpington, 3 Dark Brahma, 4 white leghorn. I'm also on a waitlist for 2 lavender orphingtons. I was wanting a variety of eggs. I have my concerns that our 8x12 shed will be way too small. We've read 2-4 sq ft per bird? My hubby has assured me we can make it work, or add on. I would love these gals to be free range, but we have A LOT of predators in our area so we are going to put in a massive run. Any wisdom to best keep preditors out (techniques, etc) welcome.

 

[Kiki]

Welcome to BYC!
Can you post pictures of your shed?

 

[Evanloveschickens]

Welcome to BYC

 

[Evanloveschickens]

Hey everyone! This site is amazing! Full of wisdom and wonderful insight thus far.

We are new to chickens. We are excited about the journey we are starting. We just ordered 25 (prepared to lose a few, or so I've been told?).
We ordered 4 Ameraucana, 4 barred rock, 3 Australorp, 4 sex link, 3 buff orpington, 3 Dark Brahma, 4 white leghorn. I'm also on a waitlist for 2 lavender orphingtons. I was wanting a variety of eggs. I have my concerns that our 8x12 shed will be way too small. We've read 2-4 sq ft per bird? My hubby has assured me we can make it work, or add on. I would love these gals to be free range, but we have A LOT of predators in our area so we are going to put in a massive run. Any wisdom to best keep preditors out (techniques, etc) welcome.

I’m sure it will be fine! Anything is bigger than battery cages.

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
If you make a run that is as predator proof as your coop, you can easily put 25 birds in your 8x12 coop. I kept 27 in mine but I have a fully predator proof run attached so I never close the pop door.

 

[FrankieDoodle]

Welcome to BYC Mama Moose, thanks for joining us!

 

[Isaac 0]

Welcome to BackYard Chickens!

 

[drumstick diva]

So glad you joined us at the pulse beat of the chicken community, BACKYARD CHICKENS

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome to BYC. Here are some helpful links:

• Great go-to resource - Articles
• Insightful feedback on how members manage their flocks - Topic of the Week back-catalogue
• How to start a new thread
• Find other BYC members nearby using the links in my signature, below (turn your phone to landscape to see them).
• Hatching / Chick-care

Best wishes

Pork Pie

 

[rjohns39]

Hi and welcome to BYC We're so happy you've decided to join us