Thinking of having some chickens

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Welcome to BYC!!
Picking a breed is rather difficult. Lol.
But- I agree build the coop first. Make it large enough for six. I reccomend buying three chicks (or maybe Pullets) first. See how it it goes with three and buy three more in two years. I say this because then you will have two-3 eggs per day for two years. After those string two years, production will dip. Then you can buy three more chicks (or Pullets) and then your supply will bump up again.
Getting six eggs a day sounds great- but then you will have 4 dz eggs in the fridge and not eat them quick enough lol.
But hey- you could sell the excess;) so lots of things to consider. But first the coop! Happy building:)
 
:welcome hi! Edwardhiatt!
I have six hens, all laying large light brown eggs. An average of four a day.
Two buff orpington
Two barred rock
Two red new Hampshire
They're all very friendly and cold hardy. They did great through the heat of summer along with fans and water misters.
The secure coop and run was number one. Number two I learned all I could on feed, lighting, treats, behavior, etc....but mostly just hanging out and getting to know they're personality taught me alot. Good luck with your new family!:thumbsup
 
Welcome! We have A Barred Rock, Good Laced Wyandotte, and some Easter Egger and Buff Orpington teenagers. I honestly LOVE Buff Orpingtons. So much so, that when my first one died a few months ago, i knew I needed to have a other one. We hatched a few eggs and now we have two Buffs. I love them, they are so friendly, good layers and honestly the golden retriever of chickens. We have a 3 year old and the buffs are by far the best with kids. We live in Oregon so the climate is pretty similar. The Easter Eggers we hatched in the same batch are super skittish and I can barely pick them up when they are not cornered in their coop... this is my Buff (probably rooster) Cluck Norris
 

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Hi! Have fun planning your coop and your flock! I live in WA state too.

If I were to do it over again I would either get a shed and convert it to a coop or build a coop. We bought a Tractor Supply Company coop kit. While it has worked ok it is not the best designed coop nor did they use the best materials. I think for the money spent building gives you a better end product. We just didn’t have the time last spring so we bought one. We are in the process of converting an older shed on our property into a bigger coop for our girls.

Another thing I have discovered is that everyone has a different opinion on what the “best” breed is. I think the beauty of having chickens is that there are a lot of available breeds & you eventually find a breed or two you love.

We have a Gold Sexlink and a Black Sexlink. Both lay wonderful large brown eggs consistently and they are friendly girls. My favorites are my Easter Eggers who are friendly and lay pretty blue and blue-green eggs. I am quickly developing a soft spot for our lovely Brahma. She is so big but oh so sweet. Having had mine now for a while I know that I would avoid Silver Laced Wyandottes and Buff Orpingtons in the future.

Best of luck to you!
 
New2Chicks97 said:
Hi! Have fun planning your coop and your flock! I live in WA state too.

If I were to do it over again I would either get a shed and convert it to a coop or build a coop. We bought a Tractor Supply Company coop kit. While it has worked ok it is not the best designed coop nor did they use the best materials. I think for the money spent building gives you a better end product. We just didn’t have the time last spring so we bought one. We are in the process of converting an older shed on our property into a bigger coop for our girls.

Another thing I have discovered is that everyone has a different opinion on what the “best” breed is. I think the beauty of having chickens is that there are a lot of available breeds & you eventually find a breed or two you love.

We have a Gold Sexlink and a Black Sexlink. Both lay wonderful large brown eggs consistently and they are friendly girls. My favorites are my Easter Eggers who are friendly and lay pretty blue and blue-green eggs. I am quickly developing a soft spot for our lovely Brahma. She is so big but oh so sweet. Having had mine now for a while I know that I would avoid Silver Laced Wyandottes and Buff Orpingtons in the future.

Best of luck to you!
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I second the TSC coop or thinly made prefab coops. I have one and at best it fits four with no room for growth. It reported good for 8 but some companies do not follow Hatchery recommendations for space. After just 3 months my husband and I are looking at shed designs to convert and those that make a sturdier structure to stand up well in winter a little better. Other option get plans and make ourselves seem best options right now. I like suggestions regarding hens as well. Good Luck! Have fun!
 
Edwardhiatt said:
Wow a lot of good advice. Thank you all for the warm welcome. I agree you must have the coop first. Been researching the store bought coops vs building my own. Opinions??
Click to expand...
Store bought coops are usually always too small and not well built or designed.
They are very well marketed tho, so buyer beware...especially about how many birds you can keep in them-halve those numbers.

Shed conversion might be best, unless you have(or have access to) decent building skills and tools or have the time, money and desire to invest in learning and tool buying.

Here's some good reading on coop considerations:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/how-much-room-do-chickens-need
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/coop-stack-up-how-high-stuff-works-well.73427/
http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1048597/ventilated-but-free-of-drafts
 

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