Chickens & Chicken Coops

I've wanted chickens ever since...well, I've always liked the idea of them. But I really got serious about getting some when we moved here. We have land and I loved the idea of having farm animals.

When the neighbors 3 miles up the road got a few hens and a rooster to free range on their place, I became so entranced. I would pass by with my face pressed up against the driver side window oogaling as I passed by. I would slow down and scan their yard till I found the happy hens scratching and dust bathing in the yard. I admit I was jealous...but more than that I was INSPIRED! Seeing their chickens in their yard made my dream for chickens more of a reality.

Sherman and I went to Tractor Supply to get a few things. I MUST get a Hobby Farms mag every time I go there, it's just a must! On the front of this months issue was, of course, chickens! I was hooked all over again. I read the pages absorbing as much poultry information I could. In a corner was an add for a hatchery here in Texas. I googled them. Before I knew it I had my cart full of 3 Wyndotte hens, 3 Buttercup hens and 2 Dorky hens. I studied each breed picking carefully a brown egg layer, white egg layer and the Dorkys lay a blue-green egg. I entered all my info and was ready to check out! Sherman stood over me shaking his head..."Are you sure you want to do this?" Click... I became the owner of 8 hens. I was giddy. I was elated.

The hatchery sent me an E-mail stating that in order to provide warmth and comfort for the chicks being mailed, they must add enough male chicks to make a box. A box is 24 chicks. I ordered only 8. I called them in a little panic...what was I to do with 16 roosters? After talking to the nice lady on the phone, I decided to add a Wyndotte rooster of my own, and take my chances with the extra males. It's the only way to not end up with deceased chicks waiting at the post office. Not sure what to do with the extra males yet, but they will be labeled so I can separate them out when they arrive.

Now, what to do about a coop! This has been a heated discussion around here. I've looked at books, read, searched the Internet and have billions of ideas. Sherman has ideas of his own. Let's just say the ideas we both have don't mesh. We are in process of compromising and putting plans in order. But before the chicks can go to their coop they have to be in a brooder box. I'm planning on making one from a Tupperware box, there are instructions in my chicken book. I think this will work well.

Can't wait to share the trials and joys of my Farm Dreams with you ...maybe we will learn along side each other what Farm Life and being a Farmgirl is really all about!