My garden and chicken coop advice

[jdmyprez_deo_vindice]

Not sure what you meant by having possums, but nothing that will do them real harm. Possums and racoons will both eat chickens. We have had 4 killed by predators and we think they were all killed by either a racoon or possum.

I just meant that our yard is totally fenced in and I have only ever seen one in the yard even before it was fenced in. I know they can be an issue, I just don't expect it to be much of one here though I would still like to take some precautions.

[jdmyprez_deo_vindice]

The Portable Coop!

http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/th...e-chicken-coop


Allowing the chickens free range, they will keep the bug population down. I want some guinea hens so they eat the ticks!!

That is a great link.. Thanks for that!

[Kelly.]

didnt see it mentioned, but you will want to either fence the garden in, or figure out a way to keep the chickens out of the garden (if free ranging)

chickens will scratch and bed down in the garden, ruining most plants, if allowed to roam free.

for a chicken waterer, i built something similar to this: http://simplethrift.wordpress.com/20...s-yup-nipples/
nipples can be purchased here: http://www.farmtek.com/farm/supplies...;pgwc1030.html

hope this helps.

[jdcole]

http://www.aquaponicsusa.com/Aquaponics_USA_index.html

I know it isn't chickens, but Aquaponics offers another way to become food independent.

[pacelli]

So our garden this year iso really coming together. We are planting more stuff than we ever have. In addition to some fruit trees we have 20 tomato plants going in (various types), watermelons, cantaloupes, honeydew melons, broccoli, pole limas, cauliflower, carrots, various types of onions, beets, asparagus, peas, green beans, lettuce, blueberries, raspberries and tons of other stuff that we have decided to try. In addition we were just offered 7 free hens. I have never kept hens and would like some advice and knowledge from those who have and do. I am looking into coop designs and what I am finding are real elaborate designs that seem really overkill in both design and expense. Does anyone have a blueprint for something cheap, effective and simple? Also, how much feed would I be looking at to feed 7 each day and how many eggs on average would this amount of hens produce? Thanks for any advoce and if any of you find yourselves in Eastern Maryland this summer be sure to let me know as we will have more than we can possibly eat and can and would love to send some fellow liberty lovers home with some organic food and maybe even some seeds.

Please read this article:

http://www.richsoil.com/raising-chickens.jsp

[fisharmor]

I just meant that our yard is totally fenced in and I have only ever seen one in the yard even before it was fenced in. I know they can be an issue, I just don't expect it to be much of one here though I would still like to take some precautions.

You can still expect to lose some to predation. You're basically advertising free meals by having them. Friends of mine north of Frederick MD had little problem until they went on vacation for a week, and even with neighbors watching things they came home to an empty coop.

I am not a big fan of fenced in chickens. I had a job with a small coop which was never cleaned, and getting near that thing a couple times put me off eating chicken for a whole year. Every time I smelled cooked chicken there was the tiniest hint of chicken shit in the aroma.

I think ideally you'd have animals protecting them. If your dogs take a liking then you're set. Some people keep roosters to protect the hens, but then you've got the crowing, and also the fact that you're basically keeping a fighting cock in your yard. The ideal rooster to watch your hens is unfortunately the giant dickhead you have the least problem eating.

[Elwar]

A little late, but some good advice. Go on craigslist and look up chicken coops. People who no longer want chickens are usually fine with getting rid of them for very cheap.

I spent over $1k building my chicken coop and run. The intention was to make it predator proof. It held up pretty well, even with raccoons jumping on the coop and peeking around the side right at the chickens with no way of getting to them. It lasted about 2 years but finally a raccoon got in. I had everything secured but did not factor in water eventually rotting out one of the floors and the floor collapsing, creating an easy entrance for a hungry raccoon.

My coop is now for sale on craigslist for $399. My wife cannot handle getting attached to any more chickens only to have them slaughtered by a raccoon.

My listing:
http://tampa.craigslist.org/psc/grd/2953596842.html

[oyarde]

A little late, but some good advice. Go on craigslist and look up chicken coops. People who no longer want chickens are usually fine with getting rid of them for very cheap.

I spent over $1k building my chicken coop and run. The intention was to make it predator proof. It held up pretty well, even with raccoons jumping on the coop and peeking around the side right at the chickens with no way of getting to them. It lasted about 2 years but finally a raccoon got in. I had everything secured but did not factor in water eventually rotting out one of the floors and the floor collapsing, creating an easy entrance for a hungry raccoon.

My coop is now for sale on craigslist for $399. My wife cannot handle getting attached to any more chickens only to have them slaughtered by a raccoon.

My listing:
http://tampa.craigslist.org/psc/grd/2953596842.html

mine does not have a floor , it is wire , so when they dig under , they cannot get in . Coons are smart and relentless chicken killers . Next spring , I am going to buy a few turkeys , have to figure out what to do with them until they get big ....

[XNavyNuke]

mine does not have afloor , it is wire , so when they dig under , they cannot get in . Coons are smart and relentless chicken killers . Next spring , I am going to buy a few turkeys , have to figureout what to do with them until they get big ....

Second the wire floor. I suggest welded wire over chicken wire. The gauge is heavier and will last longer.

XNN

[tangent4ronpaul]

sorry to come in late.

I'm not in your county, so your rules are probably different, but here it's illegal to keep "farm animals" if you own less than 2 acres. A liberty candidate that was running for county council. He was surprised at how many people wanted chickens in this county and was going to push to relax regulations. Anyway, check your zoning and county regs before expending any effort building a coop, etc.

On coops - my cousins built one from scrap lumber and old doors, chicken wire and stuff and it lasted years.

On keeping water from freezing, build a small box like frame under a metal water bowl and stick a 100W bulb in the frame and put the bowl on top. buy the bowl first to get the size of the frame.

I'm envious! - wanted to raise a few hens for eggs and have a goat for milk and cheese.

good luck!

-t