Newbie with lots of questions

Pics
Date sort Score sort
OvrEazy

OvrEazy

In the Brooder
Jun 18, 2018
4
10
39
NC
Hi! I have been following this site for quite some time researching and getting LOTS of valuable information to get started on my journey of raising backyard chickens. I love the site and all the great members! I have a family of three and two pets - a dog (sheepadoodle) and cat (bengal). My son is 6 and is so excited to start raising chickens. We live just outside of a small town on an acre that backs up to a small "forest" and some farm land. Although not the greatest quality, I purchased a decent pre-made coop and will be getting it put together this weekend. We are predator proofing it by laying a couple feet min. of hardware cloth or chicken wire round the coop bottom to prevent diggers from entering the run at night.

Question 1: how far from my house and deck should I place the coop so we aren't bothered by flies while grilling out or hanging on the porch/deck?

I plan to start off with 3-5 pullets and maybe add on as we go. It is my plan to use the original coop as a starter coop and build a more permanent one over the next couple of years.

I have checked out may posts here and think I have narrowed it down to a gravity feeder and a nipple waterer like the chicken fountain, only DIY.

Question 2: Any suggestions? Should I buy a pre-made gravity feeder and the chicken fountain or do you all find the DIY ones work just as well?

Now, once the coop is setup and all the supplies gathered I'll be off to the hatchery to pick out some 4-6 week old pullets for my coop.

Question 3: Any suggestions on breeds? I want good egg layers, would love a colored egg layer but also want friendly birds that will tolerate holding. I have a 6 year old son who is excited and wants to be able to get to know them.

Question 4: any general suggestions or tips?
 
Answer 1: My coop of 20+ birds is 100’ or so from my house. I don’t think the flies I have around the house have anything to do with the chickens. If they are clean there is no smell and fly activity is minimal. I do use fly traps as well to keep any flies that are around away from coop and house. I would use hardware cloth for any predator proofing. Chicken wire keeps chickens in not predators out.


Answer 2: I have several diy feeders. But my waterer are all store bought. Use what works for you. If you can do diy and trouble shoot any issues then I’d say diy.


Answer 3: I have several breeds. I personally go for dual purpose birds. Not high production. There are sooooo many breeds to choose from.
My list includes Brown Leghorn, Barnyard Mix, French Black Copper Marans, Wheaten Ameraucanas, Olive Egger, Svart Hona x Bantam Cochin cross, Bantam Cochin, Swedish Flowers, Cockoo Marans.

Tip: Chicken Math is REAL!!! Think you have enough chickens? Nope, you’ll find a reason to get more. Think bigger when bigger. You currently have 6 chickens so you build a run for 6. Don’t! Build a run for 20 chickens! You’ll need it.

You’ll find lots of friendly helpful enablers, ehem people, here on BYC! :welcome
 
FlyingNunFarm said:
Answer 1: My coop of 20+ birds is 100’ or so from my house. I don’t think the flies I have around the house have anything to do with the chickens. If they are clean there is no smell and fly activity is minimal. I do use fly traps as well to keep any flies that are around away from coop and house. I would use hardware cloth for any predator proofing. Chicken wire keeps chickens in not predators out.


Answer 2: I have several diy feeders. But my waterer are all store bought. Use what works for you. If you can do diy and trouble shoot any issues then I’d say diy.


Answer 3: I have several breeds. I personally go for dual purpose birds. Not high production. There are sooooo many breeds to choose from.
My list includes Brown Leghorn, Barnyard Mix, French Black Copper Marans, Wheaten Ameraucanas, Olive Egger, Svart Hona x Bantam Cochin cross, Bantam Cochin, Swedish Flowers, Cockoo Marans.

Tip: Chicken Math is REAL!!! Think you have enough chickens? Nope, you’ll find a reason to get more. Think bigger when bigger. You currently have 6 chickens so you build a run for 6. Don’t! Build a run for 20 chickens! You’ll need it.

You’ll find lots of friendly helpful enablers, ehem people, here on BYC! :welcome
Click to expand...
Awesome information, thanks so much!
Secretly I am already planning for more chickens. HEHE
 
Welcome to BYC!
I would get horizontal nipples instead of vertical! I've had both and the horizontal seem to work much better and the chickens prefer it hands down. I'm a big fan of mixed flocks, every bird has their own personality and I love it. The Orpingtons do the best with my little ones. I definitely recommend a colored egg layer. We didn't get any originally so we had to get more chickens, chicken math.
 
Welcome Wagon.gif

Check your ordinances in your city--They often have a distance from houses section in it.

Lots of opinions on the rest of your questions. Research and try what looks good to you. Adjust as reality changes from expectations.

You will have a lot of fun with them!
 
Hi and welcome to BYC

On this link you'll find lots of information on almost every aspect of keeping birds - from coop building ideas, to incubating eggs - https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/

There’s a link on the page above to the Learning Centre - it’s a great resource. If you have a specific topic in mind, just type it in the search box - there's a wealth of information on past and present threads.

Each week, various topics are discussed, which can also be a great resource - https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/topic-of-the-week-thread-archive


Here’s a link to general links and the different forums on BYC - https://www.backyardchickens.com/misc/quick-navigation-menu


You can use this link to contact members in your area - Find Your State Thread

Best wishes

Pork Pie
 
Pork Pie Ken said:
Hi and welcome to BYC

On this link you'll find lots of information on almost every aspect of keeping birds - from coop building ideas, to incubating eggs - https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/

There’s a link on the page above to the Learning Centre - it’s a great resource. If you have a specific topic in mind, just type it in the search box - there's a wealth of information on past and present threads.

Each week, various topics are discussed, which can also be a great resource - https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/topic-of-the-week-thread-archive


Here’s a link to general links and the different forums on BYC - https://www.backyardchickens.com/misc/quick-navigation-menu


You can use this link to contact members in your area - Find Your State Thread

Best wishes

Pork Pie
Click to expand...
Thanks for the great articles, very helpful!
 
ronott1 said:
View attachment 1435369

Check your ordinances in your city--They often have a distance from houses section in it.

Lots of opinions on the rest of your questions. Research and try what looks good to you. Adjust as reality changes from expectations.

You will have a lot of fun with them!
Click to expand...
Thanks! I did check the ordinances and since I am just outside the city limits there is no requirement for me. I am just curious from a smell and fly perspective. Although I have no intentions of keeping a dirty coop and run. :)
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom