I would suggest staggering the age of your hens in pairs or triples. We do this and sell off the older hens as they start to molt the first time. All of our hens are 1.5 years or younger. It allows us to have steady egg production year round and earn some of the investment back. We incubate the eggs as desired.
I've been through this so here are my thoughts. If you are going to let them free range in the backyard, and only need a coop for them to sleep in and lay eggs, buy a coop from Tractor Supply or Sam's Wholesale. Much less expensive and time consuming putting the kit together. If you aren't going to let them free range, then build one to the specs you want or look on Craig's list and backyardchickens and get ideas to either buy or build one.
Last edited by Luvin' Labs; 12-23-2014 at 01:10 PM.
Back side is hinged for easy cleanout, linoleum floor
I'd get a dozen hens...highly doubtful that they'll all be laying at the same time. We have 23 ish and we get anywhere between 12 and 18 eggs a day. I feed 4 a day to my old dog and we eat a dozen a week. Eggs make good neighbor bartering items, and chicken feed is real cheap.
Man and other animals were first vegetarians; then Noah and his sons were given permission to eat meat: “every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you” Genesis 9:3
"A man may not care for golf and still be human, but the man who does not like to see, hunt, photograph or otherwise outwit birds or animals is hardly normal. He is supercivilized, and I for one do not know how to deal with him." Aldo Leopold
This X2. I have a habit of trying to helps folks as well. An older black fella lives up the road from me, and has no vehicle, but works every day. He doesn't drink, and has been clean for over a decade. When I need an extra pair of hands, he helps. In return, he gets free eggs whenever he needs them.
"Some high society lady says is your horse outside, no ma'am he's between my legs, but you're too fat to ride" Hank Jr
Bringing this oldie back up to the top.
Looking for stationary coop ideas. And curious what has worked for you and what hasn't. Any ideas or designs to stay away from?
Planning on starting with 4 or 6 and then staggering ages as we continue to add to the flock. They will hopefully be able to roam the yard in the day and stay in the coop at night.
Last edited by Johnny Reb; 02-20-2018 at 11:46 AM.
The best chicken coops I have ever used was $1.50 18 pack of eggs from piggly wiggly
A dollar a dozen at Bi-lo , you will never re-coup your investment and a rooster makes neighbors banter if it crows all day.
It doesn't take alot of skill to build a coop. Figure out what size you need and how many boxes. Then build it around the premise that you have to get in and clean it regularly.
My wife is into fancy eggs. I just like the fact that if I wanna fry a chicken, I can just go out back and pick one out.
Last edited by CurLee; 02-20-2018 at 12:58 PM.
I should have also said this will be more of a “for fun” project mainly for my kids in hopes of teaching them a little about responsibility of taking care of things. The eggs and fresh chicken are a bonus.
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