Just got two chickens!

[kitkat6]

Hi everyone! I had started to plan our coop/flock last fall and then we decided to plan more and wait until next year. Yesterday my father-in-law called to say he had been contacted to immediately re-home two chickens who were violating zoning laws. Fast forward to today and my two ladies were just delivered!

They came with their coop/run, a waterer, feeder, oyster shell, grit and the straw in their coop. So now I'm left wondering what else I need. I know I want to do pdz (pretty sure that's right) in the coop, under the roost and I guess since they've used straw for four years in their nest boxes, I'll stay with that. Right now the run is just grass, which I know they'll strip soon enough, but what do I do in there after the grass is gone? They'll be free range in our fenced yard after work until bed, but in their run/coop otherwise.

Also...the coop is small-ish to put a waterer and feeder in there at night. Will they be okay without it?

Thanks so much!!!

 

[lazy gardener]

They will be fine at night without water and feed. But, they will want water first thing in the morning. What a great benefit for you. Too bad for the folks who had to give them up! Is the coop/run small enough that you could rig it up as a tractor and move it to fresh ground as needed? Otherwise, I'd put some boards up around the edges of the run, and put some deep litter down when they destroy the grass. Leaves and grass clippings make a great mix. How big is their coop/run? for 2 hens, they should have a minimum of 8 square feet in coop, and 20 square feet in run. Also, chicken wire is not predator proof. Weasel would go through. Coon and other larger predators would tear through or dig under. A coon will reach through chicken wire, and pull the chicken through, eating as he goes. Enjoy your new flock.

 

[bobbi-j]

They will be fine at night without water and feed. But, they will want water first thing in the morning. What a great benefit for you. Too bad for the folks who had to give them up! Is the coop/run small enough that you could rig it up as a tractor and move it to fresh ground as needed? Otherwise, I'd put some boards up around the edges of the run, and put some deep litter down when they destroy the grass. Leaves and grass clippings make a great mix. How big is their coop/run? for 2 hens, they should have a minimum of 8 square feet in coop, and 20 square feet in run. Also, chicken wire is not predator proof. Weasel would go through. Coon and other larger predators would tear through or dig under. A coon will reach through chicken wire, and pull the chicken through, eating as he goes. Enjoy your new flock.

x2 LG said it all.