Some newbie advice please!

[Ruggles]

I've just ordered a Maggie's Hen House and coop and it's coming in a couple of weeks. I am really excited and making plans so I can get all organised.

I've got a couple of questions:

Someone mentioned varnishing the inside of a chicken coop before assembling to help with cleaning. What's the best thing to do it with?

Where do you buy most of your supplies from? I've started a list and it's quite long...

Do you keep feed etc in a dustbin with secure lid? I was thinking of storing all our chicken stuff in the garage (which is a little bit of walk to the chickens, but I need the steps...). We're keen to keep rats out of there, so any tips appreciated.

Is there anything you'd do / do differently if you were starting out?

Thank you. (wishing there was a chicken emoji...)

Bins with lids best to keep rats out, yes.
I'm not familiar with the coop but vanishing the inside sounds good, will probably make it last longer and easier to clean. Make sure it's animal friendly varnish.

When considering how many birds to get keep in mind that they need about 4sq ft of coop and 10sq ft of run per bird. Many ready made coops quote far too high a capacity, but really if you want to give your girls a good quality of life that's what you're aiming for.

Join www.backyardchickens.com.

I get my stuff from a local family run pet supplies store. The guy there is very knowledgeable and they have a great selection of stuff.

If i was starting off again I'd get a bigger coop to begin with. I'm waiting on a 6x8 shed arriving next week to house my current 6+ an extra 6. They are addictive, you just want more.

I wouldn’t let mine free range over the whole garden. We have one left at the moment and she has coop and run but I have Omlet fencing which she flies over and although we have added some chicken wire to make it higher she still gets out. She waits near the door to snatch the cat food! We have renamed her Houdini. We can’t work out how she is getting out. If you watch her she doesn’t do it until you’ve gone then 10 minutes later she is out.

I use a black bin with a lid and it has been fine so far. It is in an outhouse with no door. I buy mine from local farm shop which has horse feed etc. Has a great section. I feed organic feed. The eggs are fantastic. I put a up with water as well as the chicken one as she sometimes knocks it over and I am at work during the day. Have fun. I am going to get some more. Going to get one first then more next spring.

Actually varnishing is great not only for cleaning but also to keep infections away, remember cleaning is not enough to keep diseases away you need to use some disinfectant. bins with cover also important to keep rodents away and reduce feed exposure to air.
You can join www.broilerexpert.com for more.