She said/He said Who's right? Who's wrong? No one!

[scflock]

Ok hardware cloth ordered 150 ft of 1/2". I have several 2x4's and a few 4x4's already from a previous project that i didn't start. I plan to use them to stabilize/build some type of cover for the run. I know there are owls and hawks where I live.

I haven't had an owl, but have most definitely had hawks. I'm sure you have both hiding in those woods behind the house. I know you are putting out a lot of money right now, but you are building a very safe pen that will last you for years. A pen that size would hold 20 chickens easily, even 30 if you wanted, so you are off to a great start.
I meant to ask, are you getting day old chicks, or started pullets?

 

[Tina1972]

Day old chicks and I am feeling like an expectant mom. I am giving them my office for a brooder. I haven't started buying their supplies yet. I may get my coworkers to have me a baby chick shower since I never had any kids. LOL

 

[kwhites634]

Day old chicks and I am feeling like an expectant mom. I am giving them my office for a brooder. I haven't started buying their supplies yet. I may get my coworkers to have me a baby chick shower since I never had any kids. LOL

Well, you'll have all the kids you want soon, & more grandkids down the road a piece Welcome to Chicken Math 101

 

[chicapee]

Day old chicks and I am feeling like an expectant mom. I am giving them my office for a brooder. I haven't started buying their supplies yet. I may get my coworkers to have me a baby chick shower since I never had any kids. LOL

That is so exciting! I would try to get them outside asap, due to the dust. I brood mine I side for the first week using the mama heating pad and then they go out with the heating pad brooder after I am sure they are all doing well. I made the mistake of keeping my my first lot in for 6 weeks, ugh never again.

 

[OldMissionChick]

Is a roto-tiller an option?  Shovels make my back hurt just looking at them. 'Course, I live on a shale shelf.
Yeah, but she's got the guidance you didn't have...makes a huge difference. Wish I'd had a mentor handy.

Would a trencher work with your soil? Thats what we plan on using

 

[chicapee]

I have 1 zipper and 2 pippers.

Brooder ready, I need to run out and get some more bedding, I forgot yesterday when I picked up the feed. But I don't want to miss anything.

 

[kwhites634]

That is so exciting! I would try to get them outside asap, due to the dust. I brood mine I side for the first week using the mama heating pad and then they go out with the heating pad brooder after I am sure they are all doing well. I made the mistake of keeping my my first lot in for 6 weeks, ugh never again.

I did the same thing w/quail a long time ago, & also swore I'd never do it again. Then along came a broody chicken who decided to retire on day 1, & I was forced to fire up my old Hova-bator again after 20 years...never say never...I had dust + an unhappy BH for a month.

 

[scflock]

Day old chicks and I am feeling like an expectant mom. I am giving them my office for a brooder. I haven't started buying their supplies yet. I may get my coworkers to have me a baby chick shower since I never had any kids. LOL

I would think 2 weeks inside would give them a good start. The coop is so big that you could always hang a light in it, block the front door, and brood them outside for the last few weeks until they feather in. It's not that cold here yet, but with all of the rain, keeping them dry outside would be the biggest concern

 

[scflock]

Would a trencher work with your soil? Thats what we plan on using

It's been raining so much here that she could probably just walk around the perimeter of the pen a few times and a trench would appear

 

[OldMissionChick]

It's been raining so much here that she could probably just walk around the perimeter of the pen a few times and a trench would appear

It feels like we have had rain here for the past week. I hope to get our fencing soon and expand the run before it snows. We are fortunate enough to have a treachery that will go 3-4' down. The fencing will only go down about 18" - 2'.