Planning backyard coop on Long Island,NY- advice?

[CoopedonLI]

Hi all,
My wife and I recently decided to a install a med size coop in out fenced backyard here on Long Island. We are restricted to 6 chickens as per town code with roosters not allowed. We are thinking that life is not complicated enough now that the kids are on their own LOL and love the idea having fresh eggs available to family and friends. Just purchased the following coop and I plan on building an approx 4'wx8L'x6'H run mad out of treated 2x2s and 1/2" square hardware tach cloth to protect the hens. Also plan on getting nibbler type waterers and compartment type? feeders.

https://www.chickencoopcompany.com/...signs/products/orpington-lodge-hen-house-only
What kind of chicks should we buy? Wife wants social chickens so she can hang out with them when she's mad at me- she's picking out names already. Think she also wants them to be pretty....
I am more practicle in that great egg laying and ability to handle NE winters more of a priority.
Go to local farms? Order online? Retail ie Tractor Supply?
Thanks in advance everyone.
Paul

 

[Kiki]

Welcome to BYC.
I would recommend buying sexed chicks from a major hatchery.
Less chance of being lied to about breed and less chance of bringing home sick birds.

 

[DobieLover]

Hello, Paul, and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
It sounds like you bought a pre-fab coop. The run you want to build is very small. Unless you provide at least 3 sq ft (4 is better) per bird in the coop and 10 sq ft (20 is better) in the run, you're better off with bantams but they can't be sexed as chicks. So you'd have to purchase pullets. Or return the pre-fab and build something bigger.
Good luck!

 

[N F C]

Hi Paul, it's nice to have you here with us! I agree with @Kiki on going with sexed chicks from a hatchery, you stand a better chance of getting exactly what you want.

Best of luck with your plans, and if you have questions always feel free to ask. There are a lot of helpful, knowledgeable members here willing to help you out.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Welcome to Backyard Chickens Paul have to agree with Dobi on this one you do not want a prefab I know this Please

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi Paul and welcome to BYC.

Here are some helpful links:

• Great go-to resource - Articles
• Insightful feedback on how members manage their flocks - Topic of the Week back-catalogue

Best wishes

Pork Pie

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello there and welcome to BYC!

I definitely do not recommend TSC for chicks as they are sold as "straight runs" which means lots of roosters! Some feed stores do sell "pullets" (hens) only, so you can ask around there. Ordering on line from nearby Hatcheries is good too, those hatcheries that aren't so far away that the chicks are on the road too long in the mail.

Black Australorp, Buff Orpingtons, Easter Eggers, all docile friendly breeds.

If you go with a manufactured coop, you will be limited on how many birds will fit. They need at least 5 sq ft per bird in the coop, 10 sq ft. per bird in the run. You might instead use a shed and convert it into a coop.

Make yourself at home here and ask as many questions as needed. Welcome aboard!

 

[BlueBaby]

Hello, and welcome! Glad that you joined! Good luck with choosing your future flock!

 

[CoopedonLI]

Welcome to BYC.
I would recommend buying sexed chicks from a major hatchery.
Less chance of being lied to about breed and less chance of bringing home sick birds.

Thanks for the quick reply.
Any recommendations on online Hatcheries? Only 1 major hatchery on Long Island that I know of.
I will try and cancel the coop order as it has not been shipped yet.
So if I allow for 3-4 sf per hen when I build the coop, any other breeds recommended given info on 1st post?

 

[CoopedonLI]

Black Australorp, Buff Orpingtons, Easter Eggers

Thank you. Will consider shed-conversion idea. We only have 1/2 acre plot