Newbie still in the research, planning, and plotting phase!

[DRPinAR]

Hello! My family recently relocated to NW Arkansas, bought a house with three acres and are researching, planning, and preparing for Chickens.

I have been researching breeds that will adjust to small kids, a giant dog, and a Mom with no chicken experience. Dad is the builder, no chicken experience, aside from enjoying eggs.
My background is Animal Science and Veterinary Technology, I am not inexperienced with animals in general, just no chicken experience. So far Ameraucana, Barnevelder, Delaware, Dominique, Orpington, Rhode Island White, and Welsummer stand out. Depends largely on availability.

We plan on free ranging, using zones (garden, main play yard, and chicken grass/pasture) during the day and in the coop at night. I know we have predators that I will have to plan for, a Red Shouldered Hawk visits regularly, a fox seen rarely, and others... Hopefully not our furry family member :/

We would like to keep between 8-12 chickens, I initially thought for eggs, but am thinking insect control is going to appreciated more than fresh eggs!

We are still designing The Dream Coop and have narrowed plans down to one we found on Home & Garden Design Plans website. With a few design changes, like a poop tray under the roost.
http://www.homegardendesignplan.com/2014/07/cb210-combo-plans-chicken-coop-plans.html

We plan to build this fall and winter, to be ready for young chicks in the Spring 2016.

-Danielle

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!

 

[Ridgerunner]

Welcome neighbor. I’m just East of Prairie Grove.

Your breed selection is fine. I like all of them. I’m not a great believer in breed as much as strain. With your background you probably understand what I mean. Unless the person selecting which chickens of any breed select on certain traits, physical or behavioral, chickens quickly lose those specific traits. It’s quite possible to have two different flocks of the same breed where one is perfectly behaved while the other is totally aggressive. It just depends on what traits the person selecting the birds that breeds selects for. Some select for behavior, some don’t.

Your plan sounds fine, especially the part where you are ready for them before you get them. They grow awfully fast if you start with baby chicks. You might want to follow the link in my signature about room for them, plus I find these articles extremely valuable before you build a coop.

Pat’s Big Ol' Ventilation Page
https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=1642-VENTILATION

Pat’s Big Ol' Mud Page (fixing muddy runs):
https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=1642-fix-a-muddy-run

Good luck and welcome to the neighborhood.

 

[Percheron chick]

Very nice coop design. They severely overstate capacity. 12-15 Would be ideal not 40. Go with smaller bodied hens. They will dissipate heat better than a large dual purpose hen.

 

[DRPinAR]

I agree! I looked at space and nesting boxes to determine capacity based on 2-4 chickens per nesting box (BYC and Storey's Guide). I may be new to chickens, but overcrowding in any animal spells trouble (disease, behavior). I don't *think* too much space is an issue.
Good to know on the size of bird, or dinosaur as my Littles keep insisting I call them

 

[DRPinAR]

Thanks! I will check out those sources. I am a researcher and planner by nature, more info is Good!

 

[Percheron chick]

If you have kids, EEs have to be at the top of the list. Would you, could you with a fox?

 

[drumstick diva]

Cochins and buff Orps, are also docile breeds and good with kids, as are Black Australorps and silkies ( a kid's favorite). If you want smaller size, you can get bantam cochins etc.

For supreme tick control, etc. get a gaggle or giggle of guineas as well.

 

[Michael OShay]

Welcome to BYC, Danielle. Glad you decided to join our flock. With small children involved, I would suggest going with some of the breeds that have a well deserved reputation for being calm and gentle (potential lap pets) such as Australorps, Orpingtons, Brahmas, Cochins, Silkies, Sussex, and Faverolles. If high egg production is a priority, Australorps are the best layers on this list. Raising chickens is a wonderful experience for children. My children and granddaughter (pictured in my avatar) loved our chickens and made lap pets out of the calmer and more gentle breeds. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have. We are here to help in any way we can. Whatever breeds you decide to get, good luck with your flock.