*** OKIES in the BYC ***

[upcdayz]

With the threat of storms, I've been putting my 2 month old chicks in the garage at night. I went to check on them later, then again this morning, and one of them has flown up onto a shop light hanging from the ceiling. I got her down the first time. She may try to fly over the fence when I put her back outside, so a wing clipping may be in her future.

 

[nocityboy]

Quote:
It's a good idea to build it twice as big as you are planning because it will be to small quickly.

 

[FarmchickJen]

Quote:
Yep, heres some advice...dont plan on having just the one pen

Been there, done that, said I was gonna have 2 pens of chickens...now we have 11 and a 4 part hutch, lol...

Got it - so create a chicken community. That sounds like fun! I've read that you should build them up off the ground and some people say to build it on a concrete floor. You guys have thoughts on that?

 

[GotGame]

I have mine on dirt...I figure chickens survived just fine on dirt for hundreds of years....

 

[GotGame]

Quote:
Yep, heres some advice...dont plan on having just the one pen

Been there, done that, said I was gonna have 2 pens of chickens...now we have 11 and a 4 part hutch, lol...

Got it - so create a chicken community. That sounds like fun! I've read that you should build them up off the ground and some people say to build it on a concrete floor. You guys have thoughts on that?

if there is a chance you may decide to do any showing, concrete floors are NOT the way to go, imagine a bird takin a dust bath on concrete, will shred the feathers, and wire isnt a lot better...

 

[al6517]

Quote:
first Off

what part of South Central Ok do you hail from ??.

AL

 

[nocityboy]

Quote:
Yep, heres some advice...dont plan on having just the one pen

Been there, done that, said I was gonna have 2 pens of chickens...now we have 11 and a 4 part hutch, lol...

Got it - so create a chicken community. That sounds like fun! I've read that you should build them up off the ground and some people say to build it on a concrete floor. You guys have thoughts on that?

How many chickens do you have or are going to have? And what type, that can make a difference on coop size. Will they free range or in a run?

 

[al6517]

I have some on Cement and some on dirt, they both seem to do fine. When I say cement that means with a nice layer of straw hay, they are my bigger pen's and the clean-up chores are a breeze, so they never have their feet on the concrete. And Matt is right chickens on dirt is the most natural way they have lived for centuries. I prefer big walk-in covered pen's with attached outside run's, My birds and me are much happier when their not in mud & rain and all of my equipment and feed are dry and cozy, the easier it is for me to care for them is easier on them as well.

AL

 

[FarmchickJen]

Quote:
It's a good idea to build it twice as big as you are planning because it will be to small quickly.

We have 21 chickens now - though I plan to get rid of 4 of the 5 roosters that we have.
Think a 10ft by 20ft coop - tall enough for an adult to walk into - with an 8ft by 16ft outdoor run and access to free range daily will be enough room?

BTW - if anyone needs or wants a Barred Rock(1 rooster) of Buff Orpington(3 roosters) rooster, let me know.

 

[GotGame]

Quote:
al, that must be nice having the indoor pens...when we get settled where we plan on staying, I can build something a little more permanent....