So overwhelmed

[TracyinAZ]

Hi! I'm new here and I hope it's ok to just jump in and say hi?

I love this forum and see that there is so much to learn and so many knowledgeable people to learn from.

BUT - at the same time I am starting to feel a teensy bit overwhelmed at all this available info.

I live in Mesa, AZ. I have a house in the burbs and we're on maybe a 1/4 acre. I have a space on the side of our house where I can make a little run and build a coop. I was hoping to put a raised-bed garden in this space also for veggies and such. So now I'm sure I'll have to screen that from the chickens once it's built? I have a dog (a bird dog no less!

) and an unfenced in-ground pool so I think fencing off an area where the chickens can roam, but not have access to the rest of the yard is probably safest.

I have the handiest husband in the world, (he is a builder/remodeller) so building an actual coop/run is no problem at all, but decided on what that coop should be is another story all together. Since we are in the desert I realize we have temperature issues. He says to give him a plan or a photo or an idea and he'll build it. He's sweet like that.

I realize no one is going to have the answers I need for my exact situation, but I guess I just need to get my frustration out before plowing ahead again!

It just seems that there is so much to know and I don't want to do it wrong.

Thanks for letting me whine!

Tracy in AZ

 

[sfw2]

Hi, Tracy, and

.

How many birds are you planning on getting, and what size? That will help you determine how big a coop and run you need. Once you've made that decision, I'd let your husband look at some of the coops right here on BYC. Sounds like he'll be able to put something together in no time!

I'd definitely recommend a fenced-in run for your chickens. They will tear up your vegetable garden if allowed to roam, and it will give them some protection from your dog.

Good luck!

 

[redhen]

Welcome!

 

[Imp]

from Washington

No problems with heat here in the Seattle area- usually.

Here's a link to some hot weather coops. There are lots of members here from the SW.

Glad you joined.

Imp

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=163417

 

[Kittymomma]

I did a quick search and found a few coops for you and dh to look over.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=111571

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=11138-rooster-coop

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=8389

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=221775&p=1

The above are all desert coops, though I couldn't find my favorite.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/coopdesigns.html LOTS of coop designs here!

and enjoy the coming addiction!

Plan on (fill in the blank) number of chickens and build big enough for at least 2x what you're planning on getting.

 

[Kittymomma]

Quote:
Imp, I think you type faster then I do.

 

[poultrypatch]

TracyinAz: WELCOME !!!!!
Kittymomma.......YOU are a true enabler !!! Heh heh
Liz
Rochester, MA

 

[smarsh2]

it's good you have a sweet husband, i know my wife sure does

all i can say is shade; i have experienced your sun.

 

[Kittymomma]

Quote:
Enabler, me? No, just the voice of experience speaking here....Even handy husbands get cranky when you keep asking them to build more stuff, though not as cranky as they get when you use their tools to build said "stuff" yourself.

Hmmm, might want to go three x bigger then what you think you'll need.......

 

[TracyinAZ]

Thank you for all the welcomes and for being so patient with someone so obviously clueless!

I will read thru the responses and check the links you were so kind to provide.

Thank you!
Tracyin AZ