Unrealistic expectations? MANY chicken ?s HELP

[akanalynn]

I found this great-looking doghouse that is relatively inexpensive. The roof comes off. If I put a run extending out in front of it, could something like this work?

Oh, and modified it on the inside, with a roost, etc.

 

[MissPrissy]

Yes, it will work. Get the chickens

You'll love it!

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
Huh. Wait til you turn out to have a colicky baby and a butthead husband -- motherhood holds ALL SORTS of surprises

I understand those folks who say to wait... But I just don't want to! I want it to be established before I'm overwhelmed with other things. I want fresh eggs and a bantam hen outside my kitchen window, LOL.

I *completely* understand and felt *exactly* the same way myself, and can assure you it worked out really well for me

Heres how i've adapted the plan after everyone's input. I will build a little (modified doghouse? possibly?) with a side hatch door in the corner of the yard...Still 3X4 or so (I'm thinking a bantam and a layer still) I'll put an enclosed run attached to the mini-coop.

That sounds like a good plan to me. The doghouse you mention in the other post sounds like a good prospect. If space is tight inside, consider putting a hole in the wall to make an external nest box (will also allow you to collect eggs without risking chicken escape by removing the roof). Make REAL SURE that the roof (and egg collection door, if you go that route) are latched on in a TOTALLY predator proof way.

How big should the run be? I Plan on letting them free range on a regular basis, once the garden is established and can withstand some picking.

Under the circumstances you'll need the run to be big enough to keep them happy and healthy without free-ranging, so that any free-ranging they do is a nice bonus not a necessity. If you have, say, 3 chickens, then a 3x10 or 4x8 run would be quite comfortable for them.

Here's the big question: If I make a run, how do I clean the ground? Do they poop mostly in their little house?

They do more pooping in the coop than out, but they will certainly poop in the run too. To some extent Mother Nature takes care of it. You can also rake up and dispose of run poo if it gets excessive. This is easier if you put something like sand in there. But basically, you need to resign yourself to the idea that your run will be dirt and there will be a bit of poo in it

All I know is I want one frizzled cochin. They're just too amusing

Also, are their any "crested" breeds that are good layers? the hubby seems to think a chicken isn't a chicken without a hilarious hairstyle. LOL.

Perhaps you might like a Silkie

There are two considerations you should probably keep in mind. One is that the really fancy-feathered breeds are generally not as good layers and are often less-robust and harder to keep alive and healthy. So carefully research breeds before you get them.

The other consideration is that your best bet at getting 3 (or whatever) live healthy chickens is to get them from a local source or even get them half- or full-grown. Chicks, especially sent thru the mail and especially sent thru the mail in tiny batches, have a nonzero mortality rate, and if you only order 3 (like from mypetchicken) and one or two dies, it may be both distressing and hard to rectify. I would advocate looking around to see what you can obtain locally - which may or may not be the breeds you thought you most wanted to get.

But you know what? ALL breeds are pretty cool once you get to know them

Good luck,

Pat​