Planning for a new coop & run

[kbarrett]

Hi,
This is my first post but I've been reading all the previous posts trying to answer my many questions! I plan on ordering chicks next spring, still undecided about breed, I had no idea there'd be so many too choose from! My question is about their future abode....I'm planning on a
6' x 8' coop with a large run. The area I am leaning towards using was previously occupied by an above ground pool. It will be handy to have the electric right there however the area I intend to use for the run is sandy. Will this pose any health problems for my chicks (once old enough to go out) ? The run will be approx.
25' x 20' but it will be 80% sand with some grassy yard on the borders. Any input would be appreciated! Thanks!

 

[Dawn419]

The sandy area, where you want to put the run, will be fine. Some members here add sand to their runs to help with drainage and for the ease of cleaning. The grassy areas won't be grassy for too long once the chickens find it, they love scratching in it for bugs and seeds and such.

Hope this helps!

Edited to add: Welcome to BYC!

Dawn

 

[TxChiknRanchers]

Yes, first of all welcome!

Just curious about the number and breed of chicks you'll get.

Yes the sandy soil will be a good thing, because as you may know, no matter what size your run is there will be no vegetation after a while. Its the chicken law!

 

[kbarrett]

Thanks for the welcome

I am looking to keep 8-10 laying hens. As to breed I have no clue yet...looking at the hatchery sites I really like so many of them! I was looking at the Ideal Poultry website... Does anyone have experience with Black Minorcas? I also like the Sicilian Buttercups, Production Blacks, White Leghorns, and the list goes on lol. One of my concerns is ordering chicks, if I understand correctly you have to have a minimum order of 25 I really didn't want to start that big, however I do want to retain my right to be choosy in variety and am afraid I won't have what I want if I buy a few from the feed store. I'm spending the winter accumulating supplies...feeders/ waterers/ coop materials and such and of course reading up! After looking at everybodys pic of coops I have a good idea of the setup I want, this website has been very helpful!

 

[AtRendeAcres]

Welcome

I was only getting 6 or 8 chickens too!!! Wait till catch the fever rises!

You mentioned a few breeds that are not very social!!!

The breeds I like are more social & like being talked to & held.

This site will give you all the information on all the breeds

http://www.ithaca.edu/staff/jhenderson/chooks/chooks.html

you also mentioned Ideal I have gotten most of my chickens from them great people to talk to and they do small order (under 25)

Joanne

 

[countryboy]

a big WARNING, most above ground pools are treated with nut grass killer or some other form of strong grass killer,ask around about what residue may be left in that area where the pool was and if whats left will harm the chickens or anything else.in the area where mine is grass will grow over it then root in and die haven't treated the area for a few years.

 

[kbarrett]

Well that's one worry off my mind ! I was nervous about having that many to start. I will admit to being a big chicken myself about keeping a rooster! I spent 20yrs working with 1000lb racehorses but the thought of a 6 or 7lb squawking roo attacing me gives me butterflies LOL I think it's a childhood thing, living in the country most of my playmates were farm kids too and I remember being chased by turkey's

, and an uncle had a very grumpy rooster that would hide in the dairy barn lying in wait for us to wander by. As to my choice in breeds it is a consession to hubby as he wants large white eggs and still is only half convinced they will be "like the ones in the store" lol Do you know of any friendly white layer's?

 

[kbarrett]

Thanks for the warning Countryboy. We didn't use any kind of herbicides when the pool was put in, since we tore it down last spring I've been yanking weeds left & right, we were going to put topsoil back over it & reseed but just didn't get around to it.

 

[TxChiknRanchers]

Just a note of caution, this chicken thing is a disease. Yea sure 8-10 chickens will be fine at first but that will not last long. Your body will demand more as time goes by to keep your chicken fix! You will find yourself buying more, then building larger and better coops then just when you think you can kick it cold turkey(pun intended) you find yourself in some dark dingy place selling everything you own to buy some high priced Incubator, or bator as these other sick puppies call them, so as to hatch even more chicks. Its madness, madness I tell you. That being said, Enjoy it while your sanity holds out. After that apply for a handicap parking sticker or plate you will qualify cause this chicken thing is a disease I tell you!

 

[nccountrygirl]

, but boy is that true, you will want more and more and more......... it's an addiction I tell an addiction, they really need to send us all to CA -( Chicken Anonymous) and make us go through the 12 step program.