I am thinking about chickens, but I don't think I want to do the one of each kind thing. I have a spot where I can do a 4x8ft run and put a raised 4x4 hen house in or above it for 3-4 chickens. Shaded in the summer but it gets some sun in the winter. Urban/ Suburban boundary so the main predators will be my own idiot dogs but there are some raccoon around. Rodents too.
I figure they'll have a run with a house above it. If I can get the run secured, I was planning on leaving the house door open. During the day they can free range the yard as long as I can keep them out of the berries in season. 6 foot fence, but there are trees near the fence line. I see other chickens not escaping in similar situations though.
Barred Rocks, very common around here.
Red (RI, NH or Star?) maybe a little more flighty?
Dominique? Classic, I can get them, but egg laying seems less than the others.
Easter Eggers? Ugly tufts, and they seem to fly more than the others?
This is Oregon, where we have 8 months of wet. Some say that the Orpington isn't as good in that situation.
I figure they'll have a run with a house above it. If I can get the run secured, I was planning on leaving the house door open. During the day they can free range the yard as long as I can keep them out of the berries in season. 6 foot fence, but there are trees near the fence line. I see other chickens not escaping in similar situations though.
Barred Rocks, very common around here.
Red (RI, NH or Star?) maybe a little more flighty?
Dominique? Classic, I can get them, but egg laying seems less than the others.
Easter Eggers? Ugly tufts, and they seem to fly more than the others?
This is Oregon, where we have 8 months of wet. Some say that the Orpington isn't as good in that situation.