texan new to chickens.. has a few questions..

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fostersranch

fostersranch

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6 Years
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My husband and I have a home we rent in central texas with our sweet two year old son. We are young 23/24 and dream of one day owning a ranch and raising beef and having free ranch chickens and a garden... the whole shebang. I am not allowed to have any pets per landlords contract and I want chickens. I cannot have them at my house HOWEVER there is a house half torn down on lots of land down the road from me. This has been abandoned for quite some time. The owner lives in california amd gave permission for my mother in law to use for her horses.. not in shape to use for horses but I noticed while walking the property that there was a lovely little chicken coop and run left behind just for me and my inspiration! This area has no electricity.. cant get it either. And it would need a little modifying before getting the youngsters. Im just in research and learn phases right now. Heres my questions finally now that I have typed a book..
How do I keep them cool with no electricity?
What do I feed them and how often?
Do I need a rooster?
What do I put in laying boxes?
How do I make a compost pile? (Lol)
And is there anything else I need to know?
I am very tight on cash and would love to be able to have chickens for me and my family to try our hands at without spending a fortune. Thanks in advance
 
fostersranch said:
My husband and I have a home we rent in central texas with our sweet two year old son. We are young 23/24 and dream of one day owning a ranch and raising beef and having free ranch chickens and a garden... the whole shebang. I am not allowed to have any pets per landlords contract and I want chickens. I cannot have them at my house HOWEVER there is a house half torn down on lots of land down the road from me. This has been abandoned for quite some time. The owner lives in california amd gave permission for my mother in law to use for her horses.. not in shape to use for horses but I noticed while walking the property that there was a lovely little chicken coop and run left behind just for me and my inspiration! This area has no electricity.. cant get it either. And it would need a little modifying before getting the youngsters. Im just in research and learn phases right now. Heres my questions finally now that I have typed a book..
How do I keep them cool with no electricity?
What do I feed them and how often?
Do I need a rooster?
What do I put in laying boxes?
How do I make a compost pile? (Lol)
And is there anything else I need to know?
I am very tight on cash and would love to be able to have chickens for me and my family to try our hands at without spending a fortune. Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
How do I keep them cool with no electricity?

Cool water and good ventilation. you can freeze water jugs and take them over to cool the water bowls off if needed.

What do I feed them and how often?

We Free feed chicken FEED and use scratch sparingly as treats. but it dpends on the age of the birds what you would feed.

Do I need a rooster?

not for eggs, only to reproduce

What do I put in laying boxes?

We use pine shavings, but anything will do. Chickens are not that picky.

How do I make a compost pile? (Lol)

make a pile of food scraps and chicken poo, coffee grounds, fruit peels etc. get a shovel and turn it every week or so.

And is there anything else I need to know?

Nothing you won't find on BACK YARD CHICKENS!!

PS if you can't have pets at home and no electric at coop, you might try getting some "started" birds at least 6 weeks old so you don't have to worry about a brooder

Best of luck
RobertH
 
KrisH said:
...
Click to expand...
How do I keep them cool with no electricity?

Cool water and good ventilation.  you can freeze water jugs and take them over to cool the water bowls off if needed. 

What do I feed them and how often?

We Free feed chicken FEED and use scratch sparingly as treats. but it dpends on the age of the birds what you would feed.

Do I need a rooster?

not for eggs, only to reproduce

What do I put in laying boxes?

We use pine shavings, but anything will do.  Chickens are not that picky.

How do I make a compost pile? (Lol)

make a pile of food scraps and chicken poo, coffee grounds, fruit peels etc. get a shovel and turn it every week or so.

And is there anything else I need to know?

Nothing you won't find on BACK YARD CHICKENS!!

PS if you can't have pets at home and no electric at coop, you might try getting some "started" birds at least 6 weeks old so you don't have to worry about a brooder

Best of luck
RobertH
[/quote

Thanks! I guess I also should have added that we both work full time and I plan on stopping by them every morning and night for care and such. We live in predator country here so i need to make the coop safe also. Im excited for my little project.
 
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Kris h gave you great information
 

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