Starting a Backyard Coop in Fort Dodge, IA

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@FortDodgeLex, we are almost neighbors! I lived in FD for years and now have an acreage near Callender (Hence, my "clever" name!), probably within 10-15 miles of you.

Maybe we can meet in town (FD, not tiny Callender) and talk chickens -- when the weather improves. I have a variety of coops and many breeds of chicken, and I would be happy to discuss pros and cons.

Welcome to BYC; this is a great community!
 
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Callender Girl said:
@FortDodgeLex, we are almost neighbors! I lived in FD for years and now have an acreage near Callender (Hence, my "clever" name!), probably within 10-15 miles of you.

Maybe we can meet in town (FD, not tiny Callender) and talk chickens -- when the weather improves. I have a variety of coops and many breeds of chicken, and I would be happy to discuss pros and cons.

Welcome to BYC; this is a great community!
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That would be great! I have a pretty small backyard, fenced in and backing onto an alley, so I will be looking for something small and easily manageable.
 
I'm not up on all the rules in FD, but when I last lived there, the city had a rule about the number of chickens and I don't think roosters were allowed. So, you probably want to find out about that first.

I will be happy to sit down with you and talk about options. There are some nice coffee shops in FD where we could visit.

I noticed Bomgaars is promoting that it will soon have chicks; those generally come from Hoover's Hatchery in Rudd, and Bomgaars announces the expected breeds in-store. They sell chicks all through spring and early summer. Also, Murray McMurray hatchery is just over in Webster City. There's a minimum if you have the chicks shipped, but it is possible at certain times to drive over and get fewer chicks.

I'm friends with the person who heads up Webster County 4-H Poultry Project, so she might have some ideas, too.

I'm looking forward to having another BYC member close by!!
 
Callender Girl said:
I'm not up on all the rules in FD, but when I last lived there, the city had a rule about the number of chickens and I don't think roosters were allowed. So, you probably want to find out about that first.

I will be happy to sit down with you and talk about options. There are some nice coffee shops in FD where we could visit.

I noticed Bomgaars is promoting that it will soon have chicks; those generally come from Hoover's Hatchery in Rudd, and Bomgaars announces the expected breeds in-store. They sell chicks all through spring and early summer. Also, Murray McMurray hatchery is just over in Webster City. There's a minimum if you have the chicks shipped, but it is possible at certain times to drive over and get fewer chicks.

I'm friends with the person who heads up Webster County 4-H Poultry Project, so she might have some ideas, too.

I'm looking forward to having another BYC member close by!!
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That sounds perfect! I don't want more than around half a dozen, and no rooster. Just enough to get some fresh eggs coming, once things are all set up and ready to go.

It's starting to thaw after that big snow, so this week should be good to meet if you're up for it.

Thursday or Friday maybe?
 
Mornings are best for me because I leave the chickens --who are housed overnight -- in their coops when I'm not here. They eagerly await my return and always think I've been gone too long.

Just edited this again because I realized the Bomgaars sale starts on Friday, so although I was planning to go to FD on Saturday, I think Friday will work fine.

We can meet at the Starbucks at Target or at Ardys Mae, which is on 14th St., across from the movie theater. Both are easy to find for anyone new to town. Would 8 or 8:30 be okay?
 
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Callender Girl said:
Mornings are best for me because I leave the chickens --who are housed overnight -- in their coops when I'm not here. They eagerly await my return and always think I've been gone too long.

Just edited this again because I realized the Bomgaars sale starts on Friday, so although I was planning to go to FD on Saturday, I think Friday will work fine.

We can meet at the Starbucks at Target or at Ardys Mae, which is on 14th St., across from the movie theater. Both are easy to find for anyone new to town. Would 8 or 8:30 be okay?
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Let's do Ardys Mae at 8:30 on Friday. We'll keep it short, so the chickens don't have to wait too long!
 

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