Chook Me!

Rasing Chickens?

I have decided thhat I want to build a chicken coop on my ranch but I have never done so before. I am needing advice as to where to put the coop, what some good chickens to get would be (I am looking for egg layers not butcher chickens), and any advice to have on this adventure would be. Also this time of year can I still buy chicks? And can I mix Pheasants with chickens? I am planning to release the Pheasants, but I wanted to put them someplace to be raised at the same time as the chickens. Thanks and any websites on this would be good too.

Public Comments

1. hello, I love the sily bantems they are the best! about silkies (website)> http://www.mypetchicken.com/Silkie_Bantam-B100.aspx Or take this quiz> http://www.mypetchicken.com/breedQuestions.aspx And also how to look after backyard chickens> http://www.mypetchicken.com/eBook.aspx
2. Well, it seems that you have plenty of room on your property since you have a ranch! That's good because even though you want to lock the chickens up at night to prevent predators from getting to them, chickens love to range freely and their eggs are much richer, larger and healthier if you allow them to free range. It also helps with the cost of feed and the bugs that are in the area! The good thing is that chickens don't care what they live in, so if you're not the best builder in the world, they don't care! My hens live in a box, literally. I have four sheets of plywood nailed together and a roof (but during the summer, two of the plywood can be removed so that it is cooler, but it is covered with chicken wire). All you really need is a shelter to keep the chickens out of the weather, some perches for them to sleep at night, and some laying boxes for when your hens begin to lay (about four hens to a box is plenty enough). I would also include an area that is covered in chicken wire (this is called a run, and I usually cover the top with chicken wire to prevent hawks from getting to my hens). Here's a site if you want a fancier looking coop, they're quite cute: http://www.backyardchickens.com/coopdesigns.html There are plenty of breeds out there that are wonderful layers. I've had pearl white leghorns, Rhode Island Reds, Australorps, New Hamshire reds; and they've all brought a different little personality! Here's a site that has a very long list of breeds, their personalities, their hardiness, their temperment as well as pictures (for some) and what kind of layers they are: http://www.mypetchicken.com/chickenBreeds.aspx And here is a Breed Selection Tool from www.MyPetChicken.com if you find it too hard to pick from such a long list: http://www.mypetchicken.com/breedQuestions.aspx Here's a Guide to Chicken Care if it is your first time raising chickens. I've read through the information, and it is most accurate: http://www.mypetchicken.com/ebook.aspx And finally, here are some hatcheries that you can buy chicks from year-round: http://www.cacklehatchery.com/default.html http://www.belthatchery.com/ http://www.meyerhatchery.com/get_dept_1.htm http://www.mthealthy.com/page/chickens http://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com http://www.mypetchicken.com As for pheasants, I believe they are a lot smaller than chickens and my only concern would be that they would get hurt by the chickens. It would probably be better just to set up a temporary home for the pheasents (which you can order from those sites as well). I hope that I was of some help to you!
3. Some really good websites are - http://www.allaboutchickens.tk http://www.backyardchickens.com/forum http://www.feathersite.com
4. I'm building a chicken coop for my chickens right now too! We bought plans online. You could probably find plans for free though. Check out the mcmurray hatchery http://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/ You should put the chicken hutch on a hill or slope so rain water drains down and doesn't flood. muddy ground will lead to slugs and bugs infesting their coop. The three best egg layers I found were Ancona Leghorn and Minocra. But if you wish to interact with them you may want to put into consideration that leghorns are really flighty. I have silkies but I'm just keeping them as pets. If you don't like these three breeds check out the list on the website that has a large list of breeds and its far more descriptive.yes you can still buy chickens like at this hatchery but there's a minimum # of chickens that you can order. And I'm not positive so you should check this but i think that you can put pheasants with chicks. Good Luck and HAVE FUN!!!