Newbie Questions...son wants chickens

[ssramage]

So my family just recently moved into a house with plenty of room to spread out. Evidently my 4yo son now wants a farm.

I tried my hand at chickens about 5 years ago and failed miserably. I jumped in, with no clue what I was doing. The chicks I got from TSC caught some sort of illness at about 7 weeks and they all died.

So...starting over. I’ve decided to buy a coop vs build this time, looking at 4-6 birds. I can get a pretty nice looking setup for around $600 from this guy:
https://m.facebook.com/SouthEast-Ga...042845/?tsid=0.4777936011708329&source=result
Looking at an option that is a 4x6 coop with a 4x6 run attached. I may add an additional 5x10 run later down the road. Birds will free range on days I’m home.

A few questions:
Thoughts on the coop idea above?

Thinking of ordering started pullers from somewhere like McMurray Hatchery. Thoughts?

Monthly costs associated with 4-6 chickens?

How many eggs should I expect from a flock that size?

Overall maintenance requirements for flock this size? I travel for work some (1-2 days a week), just want to make sure I’m not putting too much on my wife.

 

[cavemanrich]

A few questions:
Thoughts on the coop idea above?

Not sure which you will be getting, Link shows many. 4 x 6 is good enough for 6 chickens.

Thinking of ordering started pullers from somewhere like McMurray Hatchery. Thoughts?

Try to get some chickens locally since you are getting a small number. Check Craigs list . That would be my route. Started pullets and small numbers will still encounter pretty high shipping cost.

Monthly costs associated with 4-6 chickens?

A bag of feed 40 pounds $15 will last you a month for 6 chickens. If they are all laying feed consumption is higher than if they are not. Not sure what else you intend to purchase. Straw, hay, pine shavings, Chicken scratch, treats.

How many eggs should I expect from a flock that size?

Depending on breed of chicken, you can expect about 5 eggs per chicken/per week in their prime years. They do not lay continuously. Molt, change in seasons, and other factor affect egg production. Most good layers are good for about 200 to 250 per year. You have to have things IDEAL to achieve that.

Overall maintenance requirements for flock this size? I travel for work some (1-2 days a week), just want to make sure I’m not putting too much on my wife.

Chickens need to have feed, fresh water, and let out and tucked in on a daily basis. If your coop and run is well secured, then your chickens can have multiple feeders and waterer's, and less work maintaining required. (kind of like chickens on automatic)

WISHING YOU BEST....

 

[ssramage]

Thanks for the feedback.

The exact coop I’m thinking about getting is the 4th picture in this CL ad.

https://macon.craigslist.org/grd/d/chicken-coops/6479885679.html

I like the design and it’s cheaper than I could build and has to be better quality than the TSC coops. Not sure what the inside looks like (waiting on pics) but i could easily modify if needed.

 

[aart]

Thanks for the feedback.

The exact coop I’m thinking about getting is the 4th picture in this CL ad.

https://macon.craigslist.org/grd/d/chicken-coops/6479885679.html

I like the design and it’s cheaper than I could build and has to be better quality than the TSC coops. Not sure what the inside looks like (waiting on pics) but i could easily modify if needed.

This one?

Not too bad....tho red flag is the nest is way high, major clue that builder doesn't know chickens...and ad is not clear as to actual size. So Buyer Beware. I'd go look at it before committing.

 

[ssramage]

This one?
View attachment 1261546
Not too bad....tho red flag is the nest is way high, major clue that builder doesn't know chickens...and ad is not clear as to actual size. So Buyer Beware. I'd go look at it before committing.

I agree. I know that the coop and run are 4x6 each. Not sure on the height. The benefit to this is that all of his coops are made to order. I’ve requested pics of the inside and will modify to suit.

 

[aart]

The benefit to this is that all of his coops are made to order. I’ve requested pics of the inside and will modify to suit.

Well, that's a bit hopeful...I'd be curious to see the inside if you could post pics here.

 

[ssramage]

Well, that's a bit hopeful...I'd be curious to see the inside if you could post pics here.

Hoping to have some in the next day or so

Well, that's a bit hopeful...I'd be curious to see the inside if you could post pics here.

Assuming you had a blank slate in that coop, how would you recommend designing it?

My thought would be a platform about 2.5’ off the ground. 3 nesting boxes either on the door side or along the back. Roost on the non-door side. I may even get an access door built to clean the coop from the outside and maybe an access door in the run.

 

[aart]

Assuming you had a blank slate in that coop, how would you recommend designing it?

I would only keep 4 birds in a 4x6 coop.
I'd put a poop board and roost on 4' wall opposite run.
Nests underneath board with outside access on back of nest instead of top.
Increase all roof overhangs to 8-12"..good 2" overhang all around on nest roof too.
Add top hinged windows on all 3 sides, and large vent up high in coop wall under run roof.
You're in GA...so hot, correct??
I'd also put foam board insulation under metal coop roof, run roof too maybe, to deflect some solar gain heat from radiating downward.

Am torn about that door from coop to run, unless run is predator proof, I'd put pop door in it's place and put door to run in run wall instead.

 

[chickens really]

Did I miss something?..What kind of Birds for the Coop?.
That plays a huge part in how many can be houses together..

 

[lazy gardener]

That coop, with the existing run is only big enough for 2 birds IMO. You need 4 s.f./bird in coop and 10 s.f. in run per bird. That coop is way short on run space. Also, with it being so small in the run area with the welded wire he uses, a coon could easily reach through and snag a chicken, and eat her through the fence. I don't see much in the way of ventilation in that coop, nor do I see any natural lighting. It looks like it would be a beast to clean.

Agreed with Aart, the builder doesn't know chickens. If he did, he'd not even consider putting a nest box so high. Also, for 4 birds, one nest box is sufficient. For 6 birds, I'd do a single community nest that is 24" long.