Chook Me!

I want to build a chicken coop and raise chickens, but don't know where to start. Can you help?

I live on about an acre of land in Michigan and I want to build a chicken coop and raise chickens. I want to do this mostly for fun and to have fresh eggs. Several people in my neighborhood do this and I want to try it, but don't know where to start. Also, our property borders an old farm field where we occasionally see coyotes. Will having chickens possibly create problems with the coyotes in our yard??? Just wanna make sure I cover all of my bases. Also, before I commit to this, how much work am I creating for myself ??? All the information you can give me will be greatly appreciated.

Public Comments

1. http://www.thecitychicken.com/ http://www.backyardchickens.com/
2. I have raised a small flock of chickens in Michigan for over 30 years. Chickens live to be about 10 years old. The hens will start to lay eggs, usually one per day, after they are 6 months old. The egg production tapers off to a few a week after they reach 3-4 years old. Chickens will not lay eggs in the winter in Michigan because there is not enough sunlight to stimulate egg production. As for the coyotes, yes they will be a problem if you do not protect the chickens from them. Foxes & hawks can also be a issue but you will have no predator problems if you have a good sturdy coop and a fenced in area for them to go outdoors. I let mine "free-range" around the yard. They eat all insects, grasses, seeds. Free-ranging makes for some really tasty eggs. You can let the chickens out after the sun is up and they will be back in the coop, usually on their own, at dusk. But you have to make sure to close the doors at dusk to protect them from predators which will get into the coop door. The ideal pen would be very large, say 25'x25', tall enough for you to walk into if you have to, and covered with fencing to protect from hawks too. The pen fencing should go into the ground about 4" to keep animals from burrowing under. The coop can be small. I have an 8'x8' shed for mine. It has a lean-to roof. I built it with treated 4x4 post construction and the walls are T1-11 siding, stained. It has a door with a window in the door and also a window to let in natural light. The door is 2 part. A solid door and an inside screen door (i used chicken wire for screen). With the 2 door system, you can open the wood door and allow fresh air and sunlight in thru the screen door while still protecting the hens. There needs to be a small door built into the screen door, at the bottom that allows for the hens to get in and out. This would measure about 10"x10". I put in a plywood floor (not treated) and stained that too. Then there are 2 roosts, just made from 2 1/2"-3" tree limbs. They span the coop and are attached to the wall studs. The lower one is about 3' off the floor and the other is about 5' high. Do not place them directly over one another or the chickens that sit on the top one will poo and pee on the ones sleeping on the lower roost. Then you also need a nesting box for them to sit in and lay eggs. I made one with 2 compartments. You will need a couple compartments for 6 or less chickens. Add a second box if you have a flock of 12. The nesting box attaches to the wall studs too. It is approx 3' long by 1 1/2' deep and 1 1/2' tall. It has a top & bottom too. All wood, untreated plywood. This can be made from lightweight plywood or even scraps of wood. You will place some straw in these boxes and the hens will make nests. Daily you will need to feed them and give them fresh water. A large 4" high watering bowl works well. This needs to set up off the ground about 4". The chickens will be scratching around all day and throw debris into the water dish. The food can be put in a chicken feeder that you can purchase or you can use another large bowl set off the floor. The floor of the coop will need some good quality wood shavings scattered around for them to scratch in and to collect the pee and poo. Then every few months or so, you will remove all the soiled shavings and add more fresh. A few inches deep. I found it best to get adult chickens from someone with chickens opposed to raising chicks. That requires even more care, heated space, special feed, etc. Occasionally a chicken will get ill. Sometimes they die for no apparent reason at a young age. There is alot of start-up money and time involved. Chicken feed, scratch, straw and wood shavings all cost alot too. Your eggs will be really expensive eggs, costing alot more than buying even the best quality eggs from the store, so you have to decide if it's worth it.
3. We raised a small flock when My Dad had his farm. They are not as easy as they may seem to keep successfully. Three basic things - Safe place to roost at night (a secure coop), good clean water and lots of it, and nutritious quality food. Chickens also need to have room to live. Very small coops are a disaster of nstyness - chickens poop almost constantly, and if you don't give them plenty of room, they will create an unholy stinking mess you do not want to have to clean up and the stink - Whoo-ee! Also, we found that letting our chickens roam the yard (we had a huge yard and orchard) during the day got rid of just about all bugs! A real benefit! What to do with 'em? If you plan to eat them, go to the county extension agent and sign up for a class on how to butcher chickens safely. No amount of video will do. You just have to do this yourself to learn. For eggs, give the hens plenty of good nesting material, a safe roost and nutritious food and each hen will give you about one egg every other day- keep the roosters away from 'em, though!