NY chicken lover!!!!

[happyhensny]

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Go WAAAAYYYYY bigger, as big as you can afford. I started with a 4 x 8, then bought a 8 x 8, then had DH build a 12 x 24 with a mostly roofed run. Too small. I did say that "when" I get tired of chickens he'll have a great man-cave.

 

[tgrlily]

My silkies have two raised 4x8 coops with large(8x20 & 10x18) runs covered by netting. I need one more. Or to get rid of a color, but I just can't!!!! The original coop is 8x10 & can be separated into two sections, but I never have. Last year, I took over what we call "the barn" -- it's a 20x20 shed. He built 4 modular breeding pens last spring, added another pen last fall & two more this spring. He's adding more windows, a covered area for filling waterers & another door before he puts in the final breeding pen.

I'm still going to run out of room!

 

[pharmchickrnmom]

tgrliliy--you are my hero! I wish I could get mine to do all that. Thats why I am building my own coops. I only want to keep a few silkies for my pets. I know, I know...thats how it starts! I have some beautiful blues from simplysplendidsilkies and am hoping to continue that line. Going slow though as I am a newbie. Really into Javas. He will be building me a big coop for them next spring. I would have lots of coops if I could!

 

[tgrlily]

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Once your hubby has some chickens that he likes, he'll probably participate more.

Mine likes the White Ameraucanas & the little Dominiques we added this spring. I only intended to keep a few of the Doms for a breeding project, but he likes them so he built them a pen!

The blue silkies are beautiful! They're also habit forming!! Give them room to grow. We think 4x8 is a nice size & there's very little waste of materials.

 

[pharmchickrnmom]

Yeah--I was thinking of a 4x8 coop. Easy on materials and easy to make. Mumbles is black and I was wondering what color the blue girls would throw if he is the father? I have some partridge and one porcelan that are too small yet to know the sex. I am hoping for girls. I suppose it will be next to impossible to find a porcelan roo if it is a girl. However, that is down the road. I am just loving up my babies and kids. Mumbles is still a lovey little guy who cuddles with his mommy. I hope he stays that way.

Rain has stopped for now. I hope it stays away. The big girls were happy to get out and freerange. Hope everyone is high and dry!

 

[ChicknManCNY]

Ok have a question my fellow ny chicken lovers. My girls and boy are 7-8 weeks old. I just finished my run and have been just opening the pop door and letting them do there thing. None have really come out of the coop. Only stick there heads out and look around. It's only been twice so far about 2 hours a time. My question is when you first let them out do you usher them out or let them come out on there own just opening the door and eventually they cone out after several goes at it? I dnot have any older chickens to show the way. So just wondering if just letting them figure it out is the right approach.

 

[demp4]

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I am impatient and always ushered mine out and in the first time after that they did it on their own...

 

[lamoka]

Well I have secured more eggs to set this weekend this is way to much fun!! I will be setting a split doz of GLW and BLRW along with some Speckled Sussex and a couple of RIR/SS mixes. I guess it is a good thing I work at Lowes and can keep a watch on the cull lumber pile so thes coops and pens are not costing me an arm and a leg. This site makes it way to easy to find eggs and chicks your all a bunch of enabler's!!

 

[featherz]

oooo! My broody has pips! I am not hoping for much as I had to do it the lazy way due to work (she's in with the other chickens, etc). But there are pips, so my little 8 month old pullet did her job at least to this point.

 

[tgrlily]

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My husband prefers to pull the broody & eggs out of the coop. I only do that in the winter. I prefer to let the broody sit & raise her chicks in the coop. I don't think it's the "lazy way," I think it's more natural. Mom keeps her position in the pecking order or even goes up because she defends her eggs. She's in a better position to defend her chicks. The chicks get to grow up with the flock. I like it!

I hope it continues to go well!