Uh Oh... I figured my sq ft :)

[rancher hicks]

Quote:
How many birds are we planning on ? The four you've got BR, BO,EE,and RIR are all good. However I would check locally on CL you may find something else. The EE's are good for colored, The Welsummers are good for very dark eggs, The BO are docile, The RIR are prolific layers as are the BR's but the RIR's are not as friendly. The JG's require alot of space and may not do well with smaller birds, but I can't really say. Cochins go broody and have feathered feet so keep things dry. I have Aussies and I'm not a big fan. I don't recommend getting jus one of any breed. Two at least.

 

[Lorije1]

thanks! I will rule out the cochins for now then. The yard stays pretty well drained, but as a newbie I dont' think I should venture into "special needs" chickens.
I originally planned on about 4-6, but I am inching more towards 10. I am hooked and I don't even have my first chick!!!
From what I gather on your post, the BO and BR are going to be more ideal for me? At least as starter birds?

 

[Kittymomma]

Rule of thumb is 4 square feet IN the coop and 10 square feet of run per bird. You're coop will handle 10 and you have lots of extra space in the run. The run can be used to off-set coop space to some extent, but only if it's usable year round or you'll have overcrowding issues when the weather keeps them in the coop for extended periods of time.

I fudge my coop space because mine free range (they have a 300' run too) and have access to a large barn and lean-to when the weather is bad so mostly they just lay and sleep in the coop. I am still going to have to re-do my roost set up since it's not ideal and I do have some minor pecking issues at night that I think can be resolved with a few small changes.

It's better to give them more space then the min. if you can. It keeps them happier, you'll have fewer aggression issues, and it's much easier to keep clean. Speaking of clean, check out poop boards and/or poop pits if you haven't allready. If at all possible I'd highly reccomend covering all or at least part of your run. Mine is not and while they have access to other shelter I'm planning on covering at least the 10' closest to the coop this summer because we get a lot of rain here and I think it will help keep the coop nicer and the eggs cleaner--you would not believe how much Western Washington mud makes it into the coop and nest boxes.

ETA:

You're gonna love keeping chooks!

 

[Lorije1]

That is great information... thank you so much! I am really chomping at the bit now! My feedstore has straight run chicks for Easter and won't order more pullets until these are all gone. No idea what they may get, so I may STILL have to either wait or order.
The run should be usable year round. We have hot humid summers and relatively mild winters. We get a lot of late afternoon rains / thunderstorms during the spring and summer (and the occasional hurricane - yuck) . My whole yard is on a very slight hill so it drains well. I do think I can provide a "covered patio" for my girls though, because there is a little bit of open run between the door of the house and the other side of the run. hmmmmm....

I have been on a virtual buffet of information looking around this site. I definitely plan on poop boards of some description (haven't seen about poop pits? are they as obvious as what the name says? ).

I have about 3 acres and would really like to put my chickens down at the barn, but I also have a 106lb Lab with a chicken killing past when my neighbor's chickens kept coming in my yard (he was a pup, and they just didn't survive the joyful "retrieve" ). The chicken yard is fenced in within my privacy fenced backyard, and I won't dare let them roam outside of the privacy fence. Rio is very obedient and has a great "leave it" and "drop it"... but I am not willing to take that chance!

 

[Lorije1]

ok so I haven't even finished my house / run. I don't have my brooder completely set up.... and I want more chickens!!! I was going to get the 6 or so from my feedstore. Now, I am thinking of knocking the wall out between the hen house / tool shed and making it one huge chicken condo..... and ordering a "brown egg layer assortment" from mypetchicken.com.

What is happening to me??????

 

[Kittymomma]

It's just the beginning. It's a lovely addiction though. As far a poop pits they are just what they sound like. Most people use the boards, but some make pits that they put DE or sand in and then scoop the poop out with a kitty litter scoop. I like the boards myself and plan on making a rack for them about 2' below the roosts when I reconfigure my roosts this summer. Right now I have a ladder style roost and it's a pain to the the poop boards in and out. When I re do the roosts I'll be using 2x4's with the boards underneath.

 

[bagendhens]

well i just got 12 (were only keeping 5 of this group and planning to add a few more to make our numbers 8)
we were origionally going to do 4...yup see how this goes right

we were looking for a "friendly" mixed back yard flock of all girls, lots of color and pettern to see wandering round the garden when were home to let them freerange, but we also wanted good layers...nothing production levels but still eggers...

so after much time spent reading up on breeds...our first batch

barred rock
columbian rock cross (its a mix but im not sure of what, but i hear good things and there pretty lol)
astralorps
Buff Orphington
Speckled Sussex.

to that were hoping to add an easter egger, a blue or silver laced wyandottes or a salmon favrolles, and a buff brahma to bring us to 8. wasnt origioanlly going to go with the brahma, but we got a mystery chick with this batch thats a brahma, and unfortunatly it looks to be a roo from early feather developmet, i say unfortunatly because we cant have roos and this one is SUCH a sweetheart but id rather rehome him now, then HOPE hes a she and end up having to cull him later

like i said we wanted "pretty" "easy" birds that make good layers and picked breeds that fit that description based on lots of breed reveiws through here, feathersite, mpc and more.

 

[Lorije1]

Awesome lol

As far as breeds... I have yet to read a post here that talks negatively about the BO temperment, so I know for sure I want some of those. I like the descriptions (and they were in my breed selector results) of Australorps... and I think Barred Rocks are really pretty. Then I went to that stinking my pet chicken site and saw the different assortments.

This is insane... it's worse than picking from a litter of puppies!!

 

[abanjaf]

Ha ha! Welcome to the insanity!!! I live in Central Florida, don't have any probs with my feather-footed bunch and the weather. Have Silkies (feet are pretty heavily feathered), a Light Brahma, and a Mille Fleur Belgian D'Uccle as well. And I just hatched out Salmon Faverolles (also feather-footed) and Black Copper Marans! So have no fear, and get those feather-footed babies if you want em!

 

[Lorije1]

I seriously have to get some chickens. QUICK! for the good of everyone!!
Today I was planting in my garden and each time I planted something different wondered if that particular plant / vegetable would be ok or good for chickens. I live on old family property - so I have a small fenced in yard (privacy fence) within a large fenced in yard (chain link). The chicken yard is within the privacy fenced area (with a fence of its own). As I was pulling the waterhose through the hole in the privacy fence to water my garden, I realized I could just cut a small door and use it to let chickens into the garden area and they could just come and go as they pleased (garden is fenced on 3 sides, will have to work on the 4th

)


Went to buy horsefeed today and they still just have straight run chicks. The guy knows me from being in there all the time and I told him "Are y'all EVER going to get me some pullets? I am ready!!" He assured me they are going to get BOs, BR and a couple of other breeds within the next 2 weeks. 2 weeks? seriously?