Newbie in Tennessee :)

[LauraRae1959]

I have been reading through these threads for several months and am about to dive in!
We live on a piece of land that has an existing large coop (very old, but seems good)- a bit concerned about the gaps between boards (it's like a mini-barn).
We have fenced in the area we want to semi-free range in- the area is 50'x100', partially shaded, and the coop is in the fenced area.

Going with a larger breed (but haven't gotten them yet) to produce eggs and meat.
Planning on using the Deep Litter Method in coop, just seems to make more sense to me.
Looking at feeders/waterers now to get everything prepared for pullets.

Any and all advice is surely appreciated as I am an urban transplant to very rural area and don't know ANYTHING about raising chickens.

I read about predators, but what about snakes?

Thanks in advance for all your help, BYCers!

Laura

 

[samanthajosling]

 

[Kevin565]

Snakes usually go for eggs and chicks but that depends on the species.

 

[weimarmama]

&

from Alabama. Glad you joined us.

 

[kidcody]

from washington state glad you joined us!

 

[redsoxs]

Greetings from Kansas, LauraRae1959, and

! Happy you joined us! Sounds like a good set up you have there and the thoguht you've put into it seems spot on. My one suggestion would be to make doubly sure about the gaps you mention - rats and snakes can do a number on baby chicks and if you give raccoons an opening they will gnaw until they have a big enough space to crawl through. 1/2 or 1/4" hardware cloth over the gaps is a good investment. I wish you the best.

 

[4-H chicken mom]

Hi and from Ohio. So glad to have you aboard.

 

[sumi]

Hello and welcome to BYC

Glad you joined us!

 

[Fierlin1182]

Hi and

Best of luck with your chickens. Sounds like you have a good plan. I'd also recommend hardware cloth for predators over any gaps. Double layer if you want.

I hope you find all the info you need here, and enjoy the site!

 

[Big A Chickens]

Hi, glad you joined us!!!

Take care of the gaps for sure! Seems like your setup is similar to mine. I lost my first batch of chicks to racoons two days after I purchased them. They got over the fence and chewed through the coop and cleaned out the coop. I invested in an economical solar powered fence charger which was very easy to set up and ran it all around the coop and fenced in area and I have not had anymore problems with any larger predators trying to get in. I did have to pull a rat snake out a few weeks ago. So I did a through cleaning around the outside perimeter of the coop and layed down a good portion of lime and sulfer around the outside also. You can get it at your local feed store or garden center.

There is a bunch of good information on making your own feeders and waterers in the Learning Center section. I enjoy the more personal connection that I have with my chicks when I follow most of the advice here in BYC. Plus its actually fun and most of the time more economical!!!!!!

You should find any helpful information for the great folks her at BYC! Good Luck!