OT: I need to build a chicken coop.... HELP!!! - Page 3

Congratulations, your new babies are darling. Silkies are very gentle, and very personable.  You will have to figure out the names once you see what their personalities are like.  For example, one of our Bantam hens is a good setter and will mother and raise any chicks.  We call her Nancy.  Another is a great layer, but she will not set and does not tolerate chick nonsense, and if they get too close to her she will peck them and make them jump.  She is Hillary. 

Go ahead and build the 2 story coop because you will find chickens are really addictive.  I would have never believed how much fun they are to watch either.  They have their own personalities, and they will recognize you.  Ours are outside in their own big grass lawn all day, they also have the run of our planters & when it's hot they like to hang out in the bushes.  In the morning when the sprinklers are going some of them will give themselves little baths, lifting their wings and stretching their necks.  Everyday I take bread and other treats (scraps) out to them.  As I walk onto their lawn I call them and they come running as fast as they can, very similar to little kids running after the ice cream truck!   

  We started out with a few Bantam Partridge Cochins.  Now we have Bantams (a couple generations), standard sized Wyandottes and a pair of Guinea Hens, who have a nest and are setting on a clutch of eggs.    The other eggs we collect and eat.   We are about to add 2 Crested Cayuga ducks and 2 White Crested ducks. 

Oh I forgot to say something very important.  Never become complacent and forget to put your chickens up at night.  It takes only one predator to wreak havoc and tragedy on your flock.

If not Larry, Moe, and Curley....  Perhaps Hewey, Dewey, and Lewey. 

I would suggest naming them Ruger's next snack's

I raised 25 roasters in my extra kennel run last summer. It worked beautifully with 2 x 8's along the bottom until they were too large to squeeze through the chain link and a chainlink panel on top to keep them safe. Their housing requirements are truly minimal, and the main concern is keeping predators away, including birds of prey. Keep in mind cleaning, as they produce an inordinate quantity of waste. With just a few, you might consider something like a rabbit hutch, and let them out during the day. Good Luck, Jonah

Well I don't hink Ruger will have a chance to get these girls, they are never going to be left alone so hopefully no accidents.  Here is the one & only introduction and suprisingly it was very smooth, and calm. Wish us luck!!

http://www.backyardchickens.com

here's a link to my favorite chicken board.  you might enjoy this.
pjp

I let my hens out to run loose every day for a couple hours. I use my old GSD female to round them back up again!

I have a couple of frizzle roosters, they are nice birds. My hens have finally started laying eggs again. Farm fresh eggs are so good. Your chicks are very cute. Have fun with them.
Always,
Cee