Newbie

[eking]

When looking at coops find the dimensions of the inside flooring, deduct any area taken up by nest boxes, feeders, waterers, etc.,. Then divide that number by 4. That will give you a much more realistic "capacity" than what is probably stated in the advertisement or the box. How many chickens are you figuring on keeping? Do you have a budget in mind?....we're all good at helping other folks spend their money. Unless you are limited with a very small backyard I would recommend a 4x8 size coop (or bigger) A 4x8 coop can theoretically handle 8 chickens, but six would do even better in it. Will you be adding a run to the coop or will they be free-ranging? Somewhere secure for them to be outside is always good. Most of your large fowl, heritage breeds would be good. Australorps, Welsummers, Barred Rocks, etc., all come to mind. There are both angels and little devils in all breeds, though. Spend time each day with your chickens, holding them, giving them little treats (very small amounts of treats), letting them *want* to come to you when they're young....they'll not be afraid of you when they're older....unless you happen to receive a psychopath in your chicks. Best wishes, Ed

 

[Intheswamp]

I'm thinking about starting out with 4. I would love a run so they can be can be safe while I'm at work. Thank you for the advice. I seem to get overwhelmed with all the information there is. I would love to have them just for eggs, but my husband wants them for meat too

Four would be a good flock to start with. Be aware that it can be difficult to add more chickens to am established flock. So if you think you want six or eight it can be better to start with that many.

Also, the meat birds...I would recommend some cornish crosses. They meat up quicker/better than regular large fowl heritage-type chickens. That way you don't get attached to them so easily as they're not around very long. Waiting all the time for hens to start laying and then eating them, well, that would be kind of a waste of time. Naturally if you end up with a mean hen you can always throw her in the soup pot, though.

Best wishes, it will all wok out. Just read and study and ask questions here on BYC and you start to get an idea of what will work. Breed, space, security, and feed/water...

Ed

 

[jpalmatier83]

To dovetail off of Ed and yourself, maybe a flock of 8 with 4 being layers and 4 being quick growing meats would be a place to start? You could also consider a multi purpose breed for half of the flock, that way if you just can't part with them you won't have to deal with the fast/over growing issues you'd have with a true meat breed.

 

[eking]

Tha

Welcome to BYC. As far as the coop, it depends upon how handy you are and how much free time you have. Planning and building your own coop provides one made to your particular needs/specifications. Go to the 'Raising backyard chickens' forum and click on the run building section to get ideas. Study the forums, question away, plan and you will be set to go. Good luck.

Thanks! I usually just have the weekends as far as free time. I have seen several beautiful coops with runs. I am not very handy but hopefully I can learn.

 

[eking]

Four would be a good flock to start with. Be aware that it can be difficult to add more chickens to am established flock. So if you think you want six or eight it can be better to start with that many.

Also, the meat birds...I would recommend some cornish crosses. They meat up quicker/better than regular large fowl heritage-type chickens. That way you don't get attached to them so easily as they're not around very long. Waiting all the time for hens to start laying and then eating them, well, that would be kind of a waste of time. Naturally if you end up with a mean hen you can always throw her in the soup pot, though.

Best wishes, it will all wok out. Just read and study and ask questions here on BYC and you start to get an idea of what will work. Breed, space, security, and feed/water...

Ed

Thank you so much for all your advice.

 

[eking]

To dovetail off of Ed and yourself, maybe a flock of 8 with 4 being layers and 4 being quick growing meats would be a place to start? You could also consider a multi purpose breed for half of the flock, that way if you just can't part with them you won't have to deal with the fast/over growing issues you'd have with a true meat breed.

Thank you so much. That is a great idea. We have a 5 1/2 year old and I want to teach him how to care for animals and so on.