should i have chickens?

[coopkeepercaleb]

I live in ontario canada and im trying to decide if i should get BYC. I have an old tree house that is almost like a shed that i am thinking of using as the coup. so i have a few questions. !. can i just keep them in the run and coop or should i free range them.2.if they are free ranged will they run away.3 in the winter i know i have to heat the coup but how will i let them out in the run or free range if there is snow?4. is there a certain breed i should get and can i just get chickens that are ready for the coop or do i have to raise them from day one. 5 do i need a rooster? 6. how many chickens can i have in a certain amount of room in the coop and the run?
PLEASE help me it would be majorly appreciated!
coopkeppercaleb

 

[salt and pepper]

Welcome to BYC!!! 1: If they have educate space in the coop and run you do not need to free range, though they would enjoy it. 2: The birds will wander all day, but if trained to know where home is, will go into the coop to sleep. 3: If you can cove the run in the winter, that would give them enough space to forage, that or shovel a small area for them to get to. Also, you don't HAVE to heat the coop, if it has enough bedding, and insulation, and you have the right breeds, they should be fine. 4: You should make sure the breeds you choose are cold hardy, This includes breeds that have small combs/wattles, and lots of feathers. And you can get birds that are at the point of laying, but they are usually a couple dollars more then if you had bought chicks, and raised them to adulthood. 5: No, if you don't want chicks you don't need a rooster, the hens will still lay eggs. 6: The most heard of space requirements are 4 sq ft in the coop per bird, and 10 sq ft in the run per bird. I personally have a much larger run, and slightly less room in the coop, but because of your weather, I would not want to take away space from the inside. Hope this helps!!

 

[Crabella]

You have come to the right place to get answers to your questions. When you are able, post pictures of your proposed site/tree house. In the meantime, a few dimensions will help others answer your questions with better accuracy.

In general, plan on 4 sq feet per chicken in the Coop,+ 10 square feet per chicken in the run. Chickens, depending on the variety, will go out in the snow, but if you get a lot of it, a covered run will give them more room and keep them happier. Chickens will enjoy free ranging, but if they have inadequate space in the coop and run will be content with out it. Chicken wire will keep chickens in the pen, but will do nothing to keep out dogs, coyotes, raccoons etc. Use a heavier duty wire in its place and keep the spacing small. Do your research and choose a variety that will withstand your weather conditions.

A rooster is Not needed unless you hope to hatch eggs at some point.

Just remember, there are no dumb questions... we all started out as beginners at some point, and ignorance is curable with a repeated doses of knowledge. Planning ahead, as you are doing, will give you a greater chance of success.

Keep us posted...

 

[Scott H]

We just got our first chicks. They were 7 weeks old to help with the sexing. We chose Wyandottes because they are cold hardy, good tempered, colorful and are said to be good layers.
We kept them locked in the coop for a week to let then know it was a safe home for them. When we did let them out it was just a couple of hours before dark. We had to put them in the first 2 nights. After that they put themselves in at night.
We also get a lot of snow so we went with only 3 chicks in a 32 sq. foot coop, 4x8 feet. They are 10+ weeks old now and they ran around all day yesterday in a blustery rain hail mix. They did run under the coop to wait out the worst of the hail but popped right back out after. Will be interesting this winter.