I need help on breed selection and age.
I live in north Texas and I'm planning on 3 chickens. I'm in the process of building my coop which I should have done in a few weeks. The actual coop is 4 1/2' x 4'. They'll have a run that's 4'x8' but I plan to let them wander my back yard daily (1/2 acre). The run is really for protection in case the dogs need some training before I let them out or if we need to confine them (we get bad storms here that occasionally knock down a section of fence).
I want to keep them for eggs/pets. I wanted to get a dual purpose breed in case I decide to process them later (though I doubt I'll be able to do it, lol!). Three hens that lay every other day would give me more eggs than I need. I'd prefer a long term layer.
My plan was to get pullets. Raising chicks seems a bit daunting to me and I'm not home enough to check in on them properly. I've seen some info on making sure there's no corners for your pullets to get stuck in. Some info says they'll be fine. How do you introduce pullets into a coop?
Breeds I like are Rhode Island Reds, Dominique, and Australorp, but I'm open to suggestions. How well would these do in north Texas heat where we can go weeks of 105-110 temps with the nights being in the mid 80's? Occasionally we get a week or two of cold weather where it goes down to the 20's, maybe 15.
If I order them online, how does that process usually go? I know chicks are shipped but are pullets okay to order online or should I find someone local? Do online dealers they ask what day you'll be home to accept them? I wouldn't want them sitting in a box on the porch!
Any advice is appreciated!
I live in north Texas and I'm planning on 3 chickens. I'm in the process of building my coop which I should have done in a few weeks. The actual coop is 4 1/2' x 4'. They'll have a run that's 4'x8' but I plan to let them wander my back yard daily (1/2 acre). The run is really for protection in case the dogs need some training before I let them out or if we need to confine them (we get bad storms here that occasionally knock down a section of fence).
I want to keep them for eggs/pets. I wanted to get a dual purpose breed in case I decide to process them later (though I doubt I'll be able to do it, lol!). Three hens that lay every other day would give me more eggs than I need. I'd prefer a long term layer.
My plan was to get pullets. Raising chicks seems a bit daunting to me and I'm not home enough to check in on them properly. I've seen some info on making sure there's no corners for your pullets to get stuck in. Some info says they'll be fine. How do you introduce pullets into a coop?
Breeds I like are Rhode Island Reds, Dominique, and Australorp, but I'm open to suggestions. How well would these do in north Texas heat where we can go weeks of 105-110 temps with the nights being in the mid 80's? Occasionally we get a week or two of cold weather where it goes down to the 20's, maybe 15.
If I order them online, how does that process usually go? I know chicks are shipped but are pullets okay to order online or should I find someone local? Do online dealers they ask what day you'll be home to accept them? I wouldn't want them sitting in a box on the porch!
Any advice is appreciated!
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