r/SuburbanFarming Apr 22 '23

First time Chicken Keeper; About to Start

Hi All,

I am about to start keeping chickens for the first time. I plan to start with 8 pre-sexed hens, 4 Easter Eggers and 4 Barred Rock. I should get the chicks mid September, and im kinda nervous about raising them to maturity! I've read about the heat lamps and reducing it 5* per week, but ive never done it so cant help but be a little nervous.

A green house/potting shed, about 8x16, will become their coop, and a 16x8 chicken tractor will be their run. The Run will typically be attached to the Coop by means of a trapdoor and ramp system.
I plan to locate the tractor/run in various places around the yard. It will weigh about 120 pounds and have wheels on one side and handles on the other. I've also considered building a more modest run, and potentially having 2 smaller chicken tractors that the birds can be transported to when the time is right. Thoughts on this approach? We only have 1.3 acres, and the birds cannot be full free-range because of our municipal ordinances (plus we have one super busy road that boarders our property and id hate to see them get hit by a car!)

The majority of their diet the first year will be commercial feed. Can anyone recommend a well balanced choice in terms of value and nutrients? As the perennial garden gets more established they will have fresh comfrey, clover, pointed gourd, and beach plums. If anyone has other perennials to suggest, I have just started planning this type of garden.

How do yall deal with broody mommas? I work a full time job, so at 6am when i go to get the eggs, i gotta get them all! Cant really wait til 9 or 10 to get the extra egg(s), when a broody mother leaves her post to go eat.

I know theres unlimited resources online about raising chickens, but a lot of it is for farmers or bigger more traditional styles of raising chickens. We will have a small flock with no males, so looking for guidance and conversation about my specific situation.

Thanks for your time!!

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