Utah!

[La Casa de Pollo]

Hey so I'm up in North Ogden, looking into raising backyard chickens. I found this forum when I was looking into chickens suitable to Utah... I've read probably half the posts since its beginning! Anyway, I found the city rules (6 hens with distance requirements) for my area, I've done research on what kinds I want (so many to choose from! I always thought a chicken was just a chicken... Silly me!). I'm looking into options for a coop. I have a million questions I was hoping maybe you kind friends could answer a couple for me.
1. What coop do you recommend? My husband is fairly handy and we could make most of it with wood we already have, even if someone has plans they have liked. Is there anything in particular you have found to come in handy inside or in the general construction of your coop? I have looked into pre-made coops and they're just so darn expensive.
2. I want to be a responsible owner, so if this is a deal breaker, so be it. I have two beloved chihuahuas. They are really good, as far as the breed reputation goes. They're not yippy or aggressive.... Not to people anyway. I am afraid that cohabitating with chickens in the backyard won't work. I read about some people using shock collars on their dogs, but they don't make any for my size of dog (they're both 4 pounds). Does anyone else have experience or advice?
Thank you so much for your help! I'm feeling incredibly excited and overwhelmed at the same time.

My dog eats chickens. It took some time to remember when letting him out to remember to make sure the chickens are up, had a few mishaps but we have come to the habit finally and remember not to subconsciously let him out when he yips out the door without paying attention to where the birds are. No problems now that we have trained ourselves proper One time I had the run door open and was feeding them, my husband up at the house did not realize and let him out, he came straight out, into the run, up and down it was awful. That time it finally sunk in...now we coordinate better.

Hi Kids, Another dumb question for you regarding incubators. You place the eggs small pointed end down and then you turn them ever 8 hours. Okay, I got that. However the surface inside the incubator is flat ..... how do you keep them in position?

 

If you are not using an automatic turner you just place them on their side and roll them back and forth to turn them. Just like Momma hen

 

[sillycmoy]

egg trays. I also have a hovabator with an automatic turner for sale if anyone is interested

How well does it work? I'm wanting to get one so I can hatch some eggs for my daughter's Kindergarten this year, and as a girl scout project. I just need something that is user friendly and reliable really, and something that can hold at least 5 eggs. Of course I will have to try it out a few times before Spring. hahah!

 

[sundancenbare]

It works great. I have 3 incubators. I used them alot but not so much any more. They work great. The Hocabator is one of the easiest user friendly ones. It has an automatic turner and automstic temperature control. I am just cutting down my hatching a bunch and only need 2. I am asking $75.00

 

[Desert Springs]

GOSH Christina! How can we help?

Desert, Have a wonderful, SAFE time.


Has anybody had any history with Janoel incubators. Chicken warehouse recommends them. Thanks

thanks Canebeds.... just being able to vent to my chicken friends who understand how unhappy chicken haters make me is enough.

Ah, so cute! I love the little powder puff blue ones too!

So, my ameraucana decided to crow this morning. ****** all. So sick of hoping they won't follow their nature. Anyone want the muppets? They are super sweet...

Oh Lil... dang it all to 'you know what'.

Oh my, I've never been sensored on hear before, lol. Silly, whichever looks the most girly

(They all look girly at this age, I know)

I HAVE been censored before... kinda shocking...huh??? And for something I thought was simple...yikes...LOL

Oh my goodness! All I can say is..prayers going your way. Don't stop going to church! It's the one thing that no one should be able to take away from you. It will help you through all of this ~ stuff ~ I won't use a word that they may sensor..

Don't use too many of those any way.

Thanks Cynthia!! The Lord knows where my heart is and after all I've done with the church, in the past, I'm sure he knows my wants and needs. I am positive this is just another learning experience and I'll make it through. Just gets so over whelming sometimes dealing with people which I would have avoided if given all the true facts, and was able to see them as they really were instead of the facade they presented before I was married into this family. Very frustrating!!!

Hey so I'm up in North Ogden, looking into raising backyard chickens. I found this forum when I was looking into chickens suitable to Utah... I've read probably half the posts since its beginning! Anyway, I found the city rules (6 hens with distance requirements) for my area, I've done research on what kinds I want (so many to choose from! I always thought a chicken was just a chicken... Silly me!). I'm looking into options for a coop. I have a million questions I was hoping maybe you kind friends could answer a couple for me.
1. What coop do you recommend? My husband is fairly handy and we could make most of it with wood we already have, even if someone has plans they have liked. Is there anything in particular you have found to come in handy inside or in the general construction of your coop? I have looked into pre-made coops and they're just so darn expensive.
2. I want to be a responsible owner, so if this is a deal breaker, so be it. I have two beloved chihuahuas. They are really good, as far as the breed reputation goes. They're not yippy or aggressive.... Not to people anyway. I am afraid that cohabitating with chickens in the backyard won't work. I read about some people using shock collars on their dogs, but they don't make any for my size of dog (they're both 4 pounds). Does anyone else have experience or advice?
Thank you so much for your help! I'm feeling incredibly excited and overwhelmed at the same time.

This site is an unbelievable base for so much information on everything... including coop ideas.

My personal belief is whatever works, use it. Some people have gorgeous coops, some people have industrial coops, some people have just put crates together and they have turned out wonderful. Follow your imagination, check out plans and look at other peoples pics to see what catches your eye. As with any coop and run, they MUST be predator proof!!!! Be it dog, or raccoon, or hawk, or coyote, or even weasel,,,, a predator proof coop and run is a must!!! I live in an extremely predator 'packed' area and I have taken no chances.... heavy chicken wire sunk into the grounds on the runs, with heavy railroad ties placed on. My entire runs are wound with wire, including the top!!! My runs are closed at night or when a predator has been sighted. If you don't have to worry about your chickens safety you will have a much more fulfilling time with them.

Good luck and ENJOY!!!

Hi Kids, Another dumb question for you regarding incubators. You place the eggs small pointed end down and then you turn them ever 8 hours. Okay, I got that. However the surface inside the incubator is flat ..... how do you keep them in position?

Not a dumb question!!! Using an egg turner keeps the egg tip downwards... not using as egg turner, leave on it's side (I usually make an X or place the date on the side) and hand turn an entire roll (so that the writing is on the downside).

My dog eats chickens. It took some time to remember when letting him out to remember to make sure the chickens are up, had a few mishaps but we have come to the habit finally and remember not to subconsciously let him out when he yips out the door without paying attention to where the birds are. No problems now that we have trained ourselves proper

One time I had the run door open and was feeding them, my husband up at the house did not realize and let him out, he came straight out, into the run, up and down it was awful. That time it finally sunk in...now we coordinate better.
If you are not using an automatic turner you just place them on their side and roll them back and forth to turn them. Just like Momma hen

Oh Casa... a chicken eater... not good!!! Time for non-chicken eating doggie lessons.

Good explanation on the egg turning!!!

 

[Desert Springs]

How well does it work? I'm wanting to get one so I can hatch some eggs for my daughter's Kindergarten this year, and as a girl scout project. I just need something that is user friendly and reliable really, and something that can hold at least 5 eggs. Of course I will have to try it out a few times before Spring. hahah!

Karen, my neighbor has a Hovabator and loves it!!!

 

[sillycmoy]

It works great. I have 3 incubators. I used them alot but not so much any more. They work great. The Hocabator is one of the easiest user friendly ones. It has an automatic turner and automstic temperature control. I am just cutting down my hatching a bunch and only need 2. I am asking $75.00

What model is it so I can read up on the incubator. But I'm totally interested. How many eggs does it hold. Everyone be prepared for me begging for some hatching eggs to practice on.

 

[Cynthia12]

chickchk..Like La Casa said, if you don't have a turner, just put them on their sides. She and I like to hand turn. I'll see if I have a photo of some eggs just sitting on their sides..put an X on one side, and O on the other. I turn three times a day..morning, mid afternoon, and around 9 or 10 at night. First photo is when I used a turner.


Here are a couple of eggs that I have in now..SG and Silkies, reg. and frizzle. Right now, they are O up.

When it's time to turn again, I will put them X up. I don't roll, I pick up and turn. Slowly.

 

[canebeds]

THANKS!!!! GREAT EXPLAINATION!!!

 

[acemario]

Hey all, I've been out for a while and haven't caught up yet, but I thought I'd drop by an invite to join in a crochet "Blocks of Hope" cancer awareness afghan square swap! It should be pretty fun and will make a great gift for a friend or family member who has or has conquered cancer. https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...s-of-hope-granny-square-swap-cancer-awareness

 

[Sapphiregemmer]

Hey guys, REALLY need some help. Anyone know where I can take a few of my turkeys to be slaughtered and processed? Thanks!

Also unfortunately I am moving, and have not been able to find a rental property where I can still keep my chickens, so I am selling a 1 year old black silkie currently laying, 1 yr old Ameraucana also currently laying. 2 ducks (appleyard, and a khaki Campbell) both are about 2 months old, and some ameraucana chicks, about 3 months old, and a blue ameraucana silkie mix, 3 months old. I'll try to post pictures.