First of all my name is MJ. I live in beautiful northwestern NC in a little town called Elkin. In the spring I am going to start raising chickens. I will tell you my plans and thoughts and I would like to here yalls thoughts, ideas, and suggestions. Thank you so very much and God Bless!
1- I am going to build a 4 x 8 chicken coop with a 20 x 8 run. It is going to be something like this
https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=8449
Thanks Bakers Dozen and all the others that have posted information and pictures of there coops. I got some good ideas.
2- I am going to get Oprington Buff Chickens. I love them and my wife does too. I picked out 6 birds and showed them to her and she picked the Orp Buffs. I love my wife!
3- I plan on building a smaller lot for about 5 hens and 1 cock to be in and just leave there eggs alone.
Here is where I need all the help and advice.
I have looked around on the net and found that at Murray McMurray Hatchery I can get 25 Buff Opr Hens for $59.50. Well on Meyer Hatchery I can get 50 Buff Orp Hens for $66.50. People at work say McMurray is real good & I have never heard of Meyer but I seen it here on the forum as a listed hatchery so I guess they are good too.
I say go for the 50 chicks, what do yall think?
Is my coop and run going to be big enough to handle 50 (4x8 coop, 10 nesting boxes, & 20x8 run)?
If 50 is too much, is 25 going to do it? I would love to have 50 but no more than that. Not right now anyways.
If not what do yall suggest?
Is the 5 hens and 1 cock going to be fine left alone to make some chicks?
Any and All suggestions, ideas, and comments are welcome. Once again thanks for the help and God Bless.
1- I am going to build a 4 x 8 chicken coop with a 20 x 8 run. It is going to be something like this
https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=8449
Thanks Bakers Dozen and all the others that have posted information and pictures of there coops. I got some good ideas.
2- I am going to get Oprington Buff Chickens. I love them and my wife does too. I picked out 6 birds and showed them to her and she picked the Orp Buffs. I love my wife!
3- I plan on building a smaller lot for about 5 hens and 1 cock to be in and just leave there eggs alone.
Here is where I need all the help and advice.
I have looked around on the net and found that at Murray McMurray Hatchery I can get 25 Buff Opr Hens for $59.50. Well on Meyer Hatchery I can get 50 Buff Orp Hens for $66.50. People at work say McMurray is real good & I have never heard of Meyer but I seen it here on the forum as a listed hatchery so I guess they are good too.
I say go for the 50 chicks, what do yall think?
Is my coop and run going to be big enough to handle 50 (4x8 coop, 10 nesting boxes, & 20x8 run)?
If 50 is too much, is 25 going to do it? I would love to have 50 but no more than that. Not right now anyways.
If not what do yall suggest?
Is the 5 hens and 1 cock going to be fine left alone to make some chicks?
Any and All suggestions, ideas, and comments are welcome. Once again thanks for the help and God Bless.
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