The Middle Tennessee Thread

[MAX817]

Okay, thanks

 

[mxkidsmom]

So you don't recommend building a coop with nesting boxes and roost perch? I figured that they would need as much ventilation as possible but wasn't sure how to do that and keep them relatively safe and happy. I don't plan on letting them out even though we have lots of acreage. I would just worry constantly about them and I have seen a few that have been hit by cars. There are too many predators. Is your set up safe from most predators? I have seen one dead and one live chicken snake in the year we have lived here and we have hawks flying over all the time. We don't even let our tiny toy fox terrier stay outside without us because of the hawks. We haven't seen any coyotes but we hear them every night when we let our dogs out. Oddly enough I have not seen one raccoon since we have lived here. Just want to keep them as safe as we can. Thanks for your help!!

Remember... fresh air and sunshine are the best things you can provide your chickens...

 

[MAX817]

Hi Max 187! I'm in Memphis too.

Hi, Memphis

Where are you in Memphis? I live in Cordova. How many chickens do you have?

I cant wait to get my coop. I am supposed to get it end of this week.

 

[DMRippy]

I have 4x4x4 coops in my breeding pens. The roosts are in the coop. The nest boxes are in the coop too. You need a coop so they have a place to get out of the wind. If you look at red ridges coops you will see the enclosed shelter at the back.

 

[Silver Rock]

Hi mxkidsmom, here are a few pictures of my Silver Penciled Plymouth Rock breeding pens. Each breeding pen is 8' x 8' enclosed & 8' x 10' outside covered run. The wire I have on the outside runs now is just temporary. Once I get the new wire up I will have three doors "one going into each outside run and one in the middle". Each pens door will give that pen access to their own large grassy area. I hope to get the new wire and doors up soon.
Here is a side picture before I got the top on the outside runs.

Here are a couple more recent pictures.

 

[RedRidge]

So you don't recommend building a coop with nesting boxes and roost perch? I figured that they would need as much ventilation as possible but wasn't sure how to do that and keep them relatively safe and happy. I don't plan on letting them out even though we have lots of acreage. I would just worry constantly about them and I have seen a few that have been hit by cars. There are too many predators. Is your set up safe from most predators? I have seen one dead and one live chicken snake in the year we have lived here and we have hawks flying over all the time. We don't even let our tiny toy fox terrier stay outside without us because of the hawks. We haven't seen any coyotes but we hear them every night when we let our dogs out. Oddly enough I have not seen one raccoon since we have lived here. Just want to keep them as safe as we can. Thanks for your help!!

I have "some" shelter and windbreak using some plywood and I do have nesting boxes but they are not visible in these pics, but in general I don't worry about it.
There are roosts also. I simply would not spend much time or expense enclosing it solid given where we live.
This is TN after all... and even with the cold winter we had everyone did very well - they are hardier than you think.

As far as predators... I have no worries there. I have a lot of acreage and various livestock and 4 very dependable Italian Maremma.
I haven't lost a chick or lamb to predation in years - the maremma keep everything safe.
So... if you are concerned about predation then when you enclose, the areas that are enclosed with wire I would suggest you bury the wire pretty deep around the perimeter to prevent digging under, or... set wood framing into the concrete and staple hardware cloth (as opposed to chicken wire) to the wood every few inches.

 

[MAX817]

Hello again,

So I decided that I will have 3 chickens. I originally plan to have 2.. I am going to have one hen and two chicks.(about 12 weeks old) This way, I will have eggs from the beginning but I will have other two chickens to raise.

So far I found 2 different laying hen. One is dominique and the other one is Australop. Which one should i get?

I have a 3 years old son. I want friendly chickens.

Thank you.

 

[memphis]

Hey Max....I'm in Highpoint Terrace & have Barnevelders & Speckled Sussex. Are you building a coop? What breeds do you have??

 

[MAX817]

Hey Max....I'm in Highpoint Terrace & have Barnevelders & Speckled Sussex. Are you building a coop? What breeds do you have??

I dont have chicken yet. I will be first time chicken owner. I found a guy that who builds coop. He said that he will it ready either end of this week or next week.

I dont know what breed I will get but so far I have found 2 laying hens that one Dominque and the other is Australop. I will get one of this and will get two more chicks that about 10 to 12 weeks.

You have 2 chickens?

 

[Peach2u]

Hi folks new here live in South Pittsburg area between Chattanooga and Nashville. Nice board

I"m on the other side of the river and mountain from you. I have been known to drive over for fireworks and the Lost Baggage shop! I love that place.