planning for 6 hens and a coop in GA - need some advice

[Heather McFloyd]

Hey everyone! I'm new here and have been doing a lot of reading. I just read this article https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/how-much-room-do-chickens-need.66180/ and learned a LOT. I have chicks coming in a month and I'm trying to get everything set before they get here. I live about 30 miles south of Atlanta, GA and we have pretty mild winter: average temps are mid to upper 30's, with heat more often than anything for the rest of the year (we run the AC usually from April to October, although we did have it on a bit in December due to unusually warm temps this year.)

My plans for the coop and run are flexible and change daily, depending on what I read...I'm sure you know what I mean. I expect to keep the coop open to the run at all times, as it really doesn't get that cold here. I think I'll put a roof on the run, just to keep everyone comfortable from sun and rain. My question is this: should I plan to keep shavings in the run as well as the coop? I will most likely a.) build an additional tractor-style run so they get time in the grass or b.) let the girls out in the yard to explore, but I do have dogs so either option will need to be under supervision and probably will only happen on the weekends, or at least not during standard time when it's dark pretty early.

So two questions for you: pine shavings in the run or just the coop? Also...how do you get the girls back in the run after a free range playtime?

Many thanks!

 

[Acre4Me]

Shavings or dirt (what used to be grass before the chickens arrived), or chunky mulch will all work.

train the to something to bring them back after free-range. We put scratch into a yogurt container, shake it while saying “chick-chick-chick” and once their attention is gained, they come running and I toss it on the ground or in a pan. But, when they are younger and not yet free-ranging much, you can train the to associate sound/words with the treat.

 

[NatJ]

Acre4Me said it pretty well.

Additional thoughts:
Put your compost pile inside the run. They will eat some stuff, mix the rest, and eat the bugs that live in the compost.

Chickens go home to roost at night--so they'll put themselves back at dusk.

If you bring food scraps out to the compost pile in a bowl, your chickens will soon learn to follow that bowl. (No real training required.) Just show up with the bowl, and they'll run from everywhere to see what goodies you have. Then walk into the run and dump the goodies there for the chickens to eat. (Close the door fast, before one grabs something and runs back out!)

The other way to get them back in the run is to herd them in. Walk toward them, and they walk away from you. (They will usually move at least enough to avoid being stepped on.) Just keep moving them toward the door of the run until they go in. It can help to carry a stick. Not for hitting, but if you hold it out, the chickens will tend to move away from it. This makes it easier to steer them the correct direction, and saves you some walking.

 

[CluckNDoodle]

Welcome to BYC and chicken addiction!! I too live in sub tropical sauna that we call Georgia, lol! It sounds like you have already done plenty of research but I'll share a few things that I have learned along the way while living here!

First of all, no matter how cold it gets here, it does not get cold enough to even think about worrying about your chickens, just provide them with a draft free space to sleep in and they will cuddle up to stay warm on the worst of nights. Something you will have to prepare for is our summer heat. If you have the ability to build your coop and run under the cover of a tree, DO IT. Plants, especially trees will significantly lower temps. You can test this yourself by standing under the shade of an overhang or umbrella vs under a tree. It's a huge difference (it's actually a bit warmer under the trees in the winter too) and my hens continue laying eggs through the heat of the summer when others are complaining that their hens stop laying, even when they have a roof over their run, I really think it's because of the trees.

I have a covered run that we predator proofed and keep open to the enclosed coop 24/7, I also free range, I have always kept the run bare sand but it smells TERRIBLE when it gets wet, I usually displace the top layer of sand and add it to my garden every so often but I have also read that tilling helps. This year I plan on putting pine shavings in there again but I may end up phasing out of it again, you will end up finding what works better for you. You want it to stay sanitary so you'll have to clean out an enclosed run one way or the other eventually. Wood chips from chopped up trees stick together better and I find that they kick pine shavings into their water more but it's easier for me to grab at Tractor Supply than to arrange to get wood chips from my local arborist.

Much like @Acre4Me described, I shake a plastic container full of treats every time they get treats, whether I'm trying to corral them or not, they will associate the sound with the food and will come running. lol

 

[Criticalicious]

Yes, once they get attuned to treats, they will usually drop everything they're doing to come get treats. I only let mine out of the run to free range when I can be outside to supervise, and believe it or not, they will put themselves back in the run after about an hour of outside time. Or they'll wander in and out to explore, drink water, etc. They are true home bodies.

Don't waste pine shavings in the run. If it's covered and drains, then it should stay dry on its own. The chickens will wear down the grass to nothing overnight. I add pine needles and dry leaves to the run, because they're readily available. They keep down the poop smell and provide dry matter to compost the wet poop. The chickens till it up all day long.

Predator-wise, I would install a door between the run and coop, preferably an automatic one with a light sensor, to ensure your coop is safe at night. Chickens are most vulnerable to attack at night and raccoons are especially persistent.

 

[Heather McFloyd]

Something you will have to prepare for is our summer heat. If you have the ability to build your coop and run under the cover of a tree, DO IT. Plants, especially trees will significantly lower temps. You can test this yourself by standing under the shade of an overhang or umbrella vs under a tree. It's a huge difference (it's actually a bit warmer under the trees in the winter too) and my hens continue laying eggs through the heat of the summer when others are complaining that their hens stop laying, even when they have a roof over their run, I really think it's because of the trees.

This is extra helpful - if you haven't experienced the Hades-like GA summer, you can't really understand how ridiculous the heat/humidity combination is. I *just* asked my husband if he minded if I built the coop in the back of the yard (in full afternoon sun) but now will go with my original plan of the tree overhang in the yard. Super good call, thanks @CluckNDoodle !!!

Also, why didn't I think chickens would act like the dogs or cats when you shake the treat container?? duh. Good call everyone. Thanks a bunch!

 

[CluckNDoodle]

This is extra helpful - if you haven't experienced the Hades-like GA summer, you can't really understand how ridiculous the heat/humidity combination is. I *just* asked my husband if he minded if I built the coop in the back of the yard (in full afternoon sun) but now will go with my original plan of the tree overhang in the yard. Super good call, thanks @CluckNDoodle !!!

Also, why didn't I think chickens would act like the dogs or cats when you shake the treat container?? duh. Good call everyone. Thanks a bunch!

I'm so glad I was able to help! Good luck on your chicken adventure!

 

[Heather McFloyd]

I thought I'd follow up since my girls have arrived. I ordered from Cackle Hatchery and got one extra of the 3 kinds, so I have 9 instead of 6 because they all are thriving. I've attached some pictures of the coop/run and the girls. One of the black sex link girls and two of the dominiques love to sit on me. They really are sweet and I never imagined I'd be so in love with chickens.

 

[sawcochran]

Did you end up leaving pine straw and pine cones in the run? I am still trying to determine the best materials in the coop and run before I get started in this hot/humid climate in Georgia.

 

[paintedChix]

I live in the sandhills of NC and here is what I do with our coop/pens and runs...

DLM

Coops, Cattle Panel and Sheds