Tao Dryden-Edey is getting chickens for the first time... ~ Diane Ive been wanting chickens for over 20 years and Im finally getting a few when Ive finished prepping for them. Its all new to me and I wondered if you had any advice for a newbie. Ill be getting 3 hens that are a year and a half old. I have an enclosure that is about 15x15, to be expanded in the spring to about double that. Were headed into snow though so Im just keeping it small to begin with. The area is sheltered under a cluster of cedar trees and up against the house, so they will be quite sheltered. Their coop is brand spanking new, homemade. It is small - only about 3x4 with an extended nesting box area. There are three nesting boxes, a built in feeder and a perch. Its not insulated. That worries me some as our temps can dip to well below freezing. I was planning to put a 40w bulb in the coop but with it being so small I wondered if that would almost be a hazzard. Maybe a lower wattage bulb? I put a thick layer of pine shavings in the coop. Should I use that for the nesting boxes as well or use something else? I sprinkled DE in the coop before hand as well as I heard it helps with bugs. Should they have water in the coop or is out in the yard fine? There again..its just such a small space. Thanks ever so much for taking the time to read my email. I would surely appreciate any input. Ive been reading and googling non stop. I think Im in information overload at this point. Lol. I am so excited to get my girls!
Posted on: Sun, 10 Nov 2013 15:49:31 +0000
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