So,.... Here's my plan:

[TheNewMrsEvans]

Ok so as for the goat/chicken interactions...
Goats are very destructive...and they are contortionists! So I would suggest a few things...use chain link kennel panels, or welded 2x4 wire with a post every 5'. Goats like to stand up, scratch and try to squash your fencing...make a VERY tiny pop door into the coop...we are talking tiny! My pop doors are like 8"wx12"h and are about 18" off of the ground and my darn full sized nubians squeeze in there to eat the chicken chow!!! I am gonna have to make the opening smaller, ug!
I have my coop in the pasture with the goats, then have a chicken run made out of chain link kennel panels...only problems I have are when I want to let the chickens free range in the pasture, i have to shoo them out and shut the run door...then they can't get back in to lay...grrrr

 

[CrazyFowlFreak]

Quote:
I totally agree. 24 is a LOT to start out with.

hardware Cloth:
http://www.lowes.com/pd_218928-1641...__s?newSearch=true$Ntt=hardware cloth$y=0$x=0

 

[nvmycj]

WOW! Thanks for all that advice!

So, hardware cloth,.... Will it withstand weather? Does it rust easily?

My thought process on getting 24 chicks at once was to have them all grow up together,... like a little chicken family. I'm being hesitant in buying a few at a time, just because I don't want them to get aggressive toward each other as I'm introducing them as each new batch is ready to join the older group. Am I making sense?

My coop is going to be 8'X12' in size, with 8-10 laying boxes. Is that too many boxes?

And hears a BYC question,... How do I know I have replies on my thread? I haven't gotten any emails or alerts. But rather had to search the forum.

Thanks again guys! (and gals!)

 

[jenjscott]

Quote:

 

[fiddlebanshee]

In the left hand bottom corner is a link that says "subscribe to this topic" . Click that and you will get email notifications every time someone posts to this thread.

Can't help you with your other questions as I am just starting out myself and don't have the chickens yet. But isn't planning fun?!!

 

[catwalk]

My BIL has goats, and a 'jungle gym' was the best thing we ever made for them! Super entertaining all day long! We just set 2x6's on stumps in a triangle, and those goats ran around on that til they were dizzy. May help keep them out of trouble.

 

[Humhill]

Quote:
This cracked me up!! It's so true!! I had chicks a couple weeks before I had the coop. And it's still not completely finished!
Here is a good thread going on now about aprons and trenches:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=320595