Newbie full of questions

[deldeer]

Good morning, Im new to raising chickens and excited to start this new adventure. I have researched, read, googled, etc., however everything seems to be all over the place lol. I have a few questions and hoping to get better suggestions.
1) Is it better to feed and water in coop, run or both?
2) Best and simplest way to keep water from freezing? (From what I gather its not a good idea to keep a heat lamp in coop?)
3) I know its late in the season, but where is the best place to get started pullets? I have it narrowed down to the birds I want.
Barred rock
red or black star
Rhode island red
Australorp
Any information will be greatly appreciated!

 

[aart]

1) I like feed and water in the coop, keeps it safe from the weather.
but I have a big coop and a closed waterer to reduce evaporation and spills.

2) This has worked for me for 5 years now.
But they need to know how to use Horizontal Nipples, and that can take some time for 'training'.

3) Lots of places to get started birds, never done it so can't advise specifics....
...BUT...
Is your coop ready to go?
Buy from a hatchery so you have less risk of disease and pests.

Oh, and...Welcome to BYC! @deldeer
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!

 

[Mvan42]

1) That is a personal opinion and it also depends on your location and set up on what you want to do there. Right now my feed is in the coop
2) I have seen many suggestions on this. @aart posted a good article (i think) on this. I plan on using a fish tank heater in mine.
3) A local farm may be your only option this time of the year.

 

[rosemarythyme]

1. Depends on your set up, climate and the amount of space you have to work with. I provide water outside only, because moisture/leak potential is not something I want inside a coop. I feed both inside (dry feed) and outside (fermented feed). Dry feed stays inside as I have room for it, and want to keep it dry in all weather conditions. Wet feed stays outside because I want wet + mess to stay outside.

2. Heated waterers. You can either make your own, or buy one. It can be as simple as a heated dog bowl to a premade unit such as the heated nipple waterer that I use: https://www.backyardchickens.com/reviews/premier-1-heated-poultry-waterer.11903/

3. Do you have a local farm, breeder, or feed store that carries started pullets? That would be my first place(s) to look. My local feed store for example often does carry started and even point of lay birds late in the season (basically they keep any chicks that didn't sell as babies and sell them later as started birds). There's some places that do ship started birds but I don't mail order birds so not sure where to suggest.

 

[Mrs. K]

I would post on the local board, I got some nice 4 month hens from someone who got too many chicks, thinking some might die, and they all lived and he did not have enough room.

I use a black rubber bowl, and kick out the ice as needed.

I feed outside too, but have outside shelter in the run.

I would not worry about specific breeds, I would just get chickens if you can, as the years go by, you can do breeds in the spring.

Mrs K

 

[deldeer]

ok im going to try to upload a few pics, Im in the Mid atlantic area, DE/MD. looking at 3 or 4 birds. (the bucket is for reference) Thanks again!

 

[Mrs. K]

What a nice little set up. It would hold 2-3 hens, or 3-4 bantams. Even if the coop says more, you really can't fit more birds. Those darling pre-fab set ups grossly over state the number of birds that will fit in them.

I would suggest adding bedding to both the coop and the run. I would stick a roost kitty-corner and add a little chair or other platform in the run. This will look cluttered, but will give the birds more interest, and the ability to get away from each other.

Good luck, it is a wonderful hobby.

Mrs K

 

[deldeer]

What a nice little set up. It would hold 2-3 hens, or 3-4 bantams. Even if the coop says more, you really can't fit more birds. Those darling pre-fab set ups grossly over state the number of birds that will fit in them.

I would suggest adding bedding to both the coop and the run. I would stick a roost kitty-corner and add a little chair or other platform in the run. This will look cluttered, but will give the birds more interest, and the ability to get away from each other.

Good luck, it is a wonderful hobby.

Mrs K

Thanks, yes i have more to add, it was just delivered and set up.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Welcome to the forum, glad you joined.

1) Is it better to feed and water in coop, run or both?

For their own reasons some people feed or water only in the coop, only in the run, split it between coop and run, or in both places. There is no better or right way for every one of us. We are all unique in so many ways. There may be something about your set-up or management techniques that makes one way better than another, but often it is personal preference. Try to find what is most convenient for you.

2) Best and simplest way to keep water from freezing? (From what I gather its not a good idea to keep a heat lamp in coop?)

There is a huge bias against heat lamps on this forum. Heat lamps have been used successfully and safely for over 100 years by many people. Any time you provide heat or use electricity there is a risk of fire or shock. Electricity around water can be especially dangerous. If any of these methods are appropriate and are set up properly they can be really safe. If they are not set up properly and safely any method can cause problems. I don't blame the tool for an accident when I'm the one using it improperly or carelessly.

When I was in Arkansas I used a black rubber bowl, available at Tractor Supply, for water. When it freezes, I just bust the ice out and refill. The rubber will not break. I cut a hole in a piece of plywood to raise it a bit so they don't scratch as much trash in it and keep it from turning over if they perch on the edge. They will poop in it so you need to change water daily. If the sun is shining the black bowl works as a solar heater and can keep the water thawed fairly well. The sun doesn't shine every day and certainly not at night but it worked pretty well for me.

My brooder is outside in the coop. I usually brood one batch of chicks in it early in the year when it can get below freeing. I use a couple of heat lamps to keep one area warm enough for the chicks and keep the waterer next to the heat lamp so the water stays thawed. That's kind of a special circumstance, probably not a great method in your coop. Your chickens do not need a warm coop so I'd stay away from some general area heating method. If I were in your situation and wanted to use electricity I'd probably try a heated pet bowl, secured so they can't flip it when they perch on an edge and raised a bit so they don't scratch as much trash in it.

3) I know its late in the season, but where is the best place to get started pullets? I have it narrowed down to the birds I want.

My first suggestion is to find you state thread in the "Where am I? Where are you!" section of this forum and chat with your neighbors. Top choice by far.

My second approach would be to call your county extension office and chat with them.

My third approach would be to chat with the people at the feed store and see what they say. They might have a bulletin board where you could post a note.

My fourth suggest would be to look at different hatcheries online and see if any have started pullets they can ship.

Good luck and once again