When and where to start a small flock

[EdwardsJ256]

I'm moving into the country in a week. I've long entertained the idea of raising chickens and now it has become a real possibility to raise some truly happy chickens. On the property, I have access to a static chicken coop next to a windmill with watering tanks and a couple acres of truly free range, but it's a 5 minute walk from the house and the area is full of predators. So I'm planning on building an enclosed coop and run to keep close to the house. There's about 3/4th of an acre of wild weedy grassy land next to the house. Several trees in a section. I'm planning to build a small tractor with a decent sized coop and a short run. And let them out of the enclosure when I'm out to protect them. I realize that they need to be tame and be trained to enter their coop when I tempt them with delicious insects. I'm also looking into growing superworms.

My question is: Am I doing this right? Can small birds survive winter in a coop? How long do I need to keep them in a temperature controlled environment if I buy them in September? It gets coldest in December and January and can get down to -10F or -15F at the worst. Can a few 3-4 month old birds survive those conditions? Would a heat lamp be enough?

 

[azygous]

Well, you've certainly come to the right place to get all your questions answered, as well as guidance as you proceed with your endeavor.

What I would suggest is first, fill out your profile completely, joining the community here, and we will know to tailor any advice with your geographical conditions in mind.

Second, avail yourself of the great search feature at the top of the page of each forum and ask your questions on the appropriate forum and you will gain a wealth of knowledge and experience instantly, benefiting from hundreds of people's experiences, disasters as well as successes. That way you can see many of the pitfalls that most people face and not have to go through them yourself.

After reading up a bit, then I suggest you come back and ask the questions that this reading has inspired.

I wish I had known about BYC eight years ago when I decided it would be a wise move to get a couple laying hens. I adopted two mature hens and then built a coop for them. Yeah, in that order. That's the way a lot of people start.

If I had known about BYC, I could have read up on coop requirements and I wouldn't still be kicking myself eight years later for building too small.

So, there is my advice! And welcome aboard! We are here to help!

Oh, and chickens can survive with flying colors in any climate, no matter how cold it gets. No worries!

 

[the poppster]

Depends on a few things...How many birds are you planning on having? That will influence the size coop you will need.....and how much heat they will need to get thru the winter...comfortably...I suggest you read up on chickens before you decide on what kind, how many, and when to get them...it might be better if you wait till next spring to get the chicks....and in the meantime decide on breed or breeds you are interested in....how many you want or how many do you need....once you figure that out.. then decide where the best and most convenient spot is to put them...Will you want a movable coop or a stationary one...a chicken tractor sounds like a great idea....unless like where I live you get almost 3 feet of snow built up on the ground....you won't be moving anything around for months....so you will have to make a plan for a stationary spot for your movable coop to spend the winter months... there are a great number of things to consider and decisions to make before you have a box of birds in your hands....at least that would be the smart thing to do...get yourself moved into your new home...scope out all possible locations for you coop and run....spring break up is the most challenging time of the year for dealing with chickens....at least for me...winters are long here....by spring both the birds and I have just about come to our wits end....If you wait till spring...you will have time to plan and implement....so when you're standing there with the box of chicks....you'll be ready!!!