so I jumped off the deep end

[RonnieF]

Have a total of 30 chicks ordered. Coop is 12x12 6foot tall. Run turned out 40x 30 total of 20 nesting boxes built. Bird netting over top of pen outside.I understand some of my order may turn into roosters so they will be going but with proper food and water and cleaning. Do able?. The big problem was handing the wife the Meyers book lol I believe it will be okay with proper roosting just need some reushuring.

There coming in 2 different hatch dates almost a month apart.
Building is insulated with plenty of heat and 2 cooling fans if needed.
Or should I start gathering some building materials lol

 

[Triple Willow]

Have you read up on raising chicks? Very important. The insulation might be a problem in the winter. You MUST HAVE a lot of ventilation or your birds will get frostbite if we have another cold winter. The deep litter method is the best. Fermented feed is by far the best way to go with feed from day one. You will only need about five of those nest boxes. Use 2X4's for your roost. Position them so they can roost on the widest side. That helps to keep their feet from getting frostbit in the winter and is more comfortable all the time. Also put the roosts higher that the nests or they will sleep in the nests (and poop all in them). Is your coop and run predator proof? Do you know what kind of predators you have and how to stop them? What do you plan on doing with the roosters? Do you have a seperate place to keep them away from the pullets? You will need to seperate them pretty early.

Sounds like you are starting out very well.

 

[Triple Willow]

Oh, and you shouldn't use heat in the coop.

 

[gander007]

You really only need one nesting box per three chickens and as funny as it sounds they will always be fighting over just a couple of them and you will have two or more in one box with twenty boxes open for business just the way it is ....


But I do think you might want to read some articles from the learning center

If you haven't finished the coop yet start gathering the maturates as it takes me several months myself to get everything together ...

 

[Triple Willow]

this might help...
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...ns-save-somebody-else-from-the-bad-experience

 

[RonnieF]

Yeah its all done. There plenty of ventilation in the barn with upper and side roof vents also air can get under the floor. Raised a lot of chixks back on the farm and did well but that's been many years ago also I have 2 windows in the coop for air

 

[RonnieF]

Predators yes I trap and hunt took 15 coyotes last fall 1 fox and a lot of coons and a mink

 

[Triple Willow]

Predators yes I trap and hunt took 15 coyotes last fall 1 fox and a lot of coons and a mink

That's good. You should have a good handle on understanding that everything will try to eat your chickens.

 

[Triple Willow]

Yeah its all done. There plenty of ventilation in the barn with upper and side roof vents also air can get under the floor. Raised a lot of chixks back on the farm and did well but that's been many years ago also I have 2 windows in the coop for air

Sounds good. This past winter a lot of people all across the country were having big, big problems with frostbite due to the sub zero temps. If there isn't ventilation you get condensation settling on the birds (especially their combs/wattles) and frostbite follows.

 

[RonnieF]

What's your thoughts on a bush or shrub on the inside or outside along the fence