Friday, March 30, 2012

Chickens, Part 1

Well, we have a coop!
After a few days of hemming and hawing about the merits of building versus buying a coop, we found a pretty good deal on this little guy.  Honestly I'm a pretty handy guy, but limited carpentry skills combined with our lack of garage would have made this project about a nine hour one, in my estimation.

The builder of this coop advertised that it was build out of "reclaimed redwood."  I'm pretty sure he's a fencer that uses torn down fences to make these and sell on Craigslist.  It is a pretty nice little unit, though, with a hinged roof for cleaning and an access door by the nesting area to grab out the eggs.  Now we just have to fill it with some hens!

My plan is to build a small frame enclosed with chicken wire around the front of the coop, so the hens can hang out outside.  That's something I can make relatively easy.  We are really excited to learn the ins and outs of chicken care and the kids are super anxious to get some chickens, they already have names picked out!



We'd love to hear your suggestions on breeds of hens that are good with kids and, of course, pump out the eggs!





1 comment:

  1. First get the smallest wire you can or every black bird in the county will be snacking on your chicken food (they squeeze in between the wire), I have an auto water dispenser for you, and I will get you your first two hens. whatever area you have them, you will have no grass they scratch

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