Peep, Peep!

At last, my new chicks have arrived from Murray McMurray Hatchery in Iowa. Here they are:

I'll have to wait, of course, before I have fresh eggs for breakfast: The hens need to be between 21 and 23 weeks old to lay. In the meantime, the chicks are feasting on organic starter feed and plenty of water, growing bigger every day.

It's wonderful to see the four chicken coops put to use after the months my builders and I spent getting them ready. The houses' design was a special project of mine. Since I've kept chickens for decades, I’m familiar with basic coop construction and wanted to improve on it. Among the new features I added were two doors on the ends of each house that slide from side to side, rather than opening out. We also used wood from the property’s fallen trees to build the frames, which measure 8 feet by 12 feet, and the slate roof tiles are recycled from an old Vermont house. Inside, we’ve installed special waterers that won’t freeze in wintertime and some nice egg-laying boxes. We even have a little house with heat lamps for future chicks.

When I placed my order with McMurray early this summer, I chose a sampling of 22 breeds, rather than just one or two. The differences, though hard to distinguish at this early age, will be much more apparent as they mature into pullets (young hens) and roosters. Speckled Sussex, Mille Fleur Bantam, and of course Araucana are just a few of the varieties. There will be white eggs, brown eggs, and green and blue pastel eggs, many of which I won’t be able to consume myself. With the extras, I’ll do as I’ve always done: I'll take a big bowl into the office or the television studio, with a sign that says “Take as you please.” No matter how many eggs I bring in, they’re gone in a minute and a half. Fresh eggs are just that good.

Comments

[Bea]

Martha,
Today on the show, I heard of your blog. I remember one of the very first programs of yours that I saw with you on it & it had your wonderful chicken house & there you were out in it!! I was hooked! I love the times you had Mark Morone on your old show too!! It is so great to see the love you feel for the animals, pets & plants on your show. I try to watch every day. I think it is neat to see some one of your magnitude, just being you in your garden & kitchen! Thank you!

[candyce]

Hello Martha.
Is it possible to get the plans for your chicken coop? I am new to keeping chickens and so far so good - I recently had my first eggs! I am sure over the years you have gained valuable knowledge on a very functional design for the coop. Right now we have a converted shed but there are definitely things I would change. Thanks so much for your help.
Sincerely,
Candyce

[candyce]

Hello Martha.
Is it possible to get the plans for your chicken coop? I am new to keeping chickens and so far so good - I recently had my first eggs! I am sure over the years you have gained valuable knowledge on a very functional design for the coop. Right now we have a converted shed but there are definitely things I would change. Thanks so much for your help.
Sincerely,
Candyce

[kate Morejohn]

I would love plans for the coop, too. We have had chickens before, but need new coops- we have 5 grandkids (ages 1-5) who would LOVE chickens...please let me know if plans are available.

[Sarah]

Hi Martha,

I placed an order for four hens with Murray McMurray just yesterday, and I was so surprised to learn today that you get your hens from him, too! Now I am doubly excited about my Araucanas and Orpingtons.

But like the others, I would love to see plans for your chicken coop. Could you please include those at a later date?

By the way, I love your blog, and am a regular reader. Please keep the posts (and the pictures!) coming.

[Dayami]

Martha,
This reminds me so much of my childhood. I was born in Cuba and my mother and I used to have chickens in our roof. Our chicken coops looked nothing like yours but they were happy too :)
tfs

[karen l. gohler]

just a small note I too want chickens and soon wil order them. would be nice to have a segment on the care of chickens and a tour of your entire home and farm. since you have through experience know the correct way to produce good results I appreciate people like you. thanks-k

[Wanda Carpenter]

I like all the others saw your chickesn and house some time ago on TV I have had chickens for some time an have just recently moved to a larger place and can now improve my chicken coop. Would love the plans for your chicken house as I strive to be like you in all ways. Thanks WC

[Jala Lavender]

I know that you get tons of requests for plans of your chicken coop and it is because everything that you do, you do it so well! I would love to order a copy of the show you did regarding your chicken coop and poultry operation or advise me where I can get the information. Thank you! JL

[Jala Lavender]

I know that you get tons of requests for plans of your chicken coop and it is because everything that you do, you do it so well! I would love to order a copy of the show you did regarding your chicken coop and poultry operation or advise me where I can get the information. Thank you! JL

[Teresa Drevar]

I have also received a few chicks from Murray McMurray. I am a novice and wonder about the best design for a small chicken coup and yard. I want a safe place for my girls and Pookie the rooster. I have a total of eight chickens. Any suggestions?

[megan k.]

I too would love to see your chicken coops in another post. We love our backyard chickens and next season will be building them a new coop!

[Susan Prentice]

I've been reading the comments from all you chicken enthusiasts and thought you all might be interested in seeing the series of oil paintings I've been doing of all the various rooster breeds. They are so colorful and so much fun to paint! What personalities!
See them at www.susanprentice.com

[michelle rogers]

I live in Colorado and as I was reading the blogs, Im also interested in how you set up a waterer that won't freeze. Would also like a copy of your plans to compare to my chicken coop. thanks

[Mary Smith]

I am brand new to owning chickens and would love a photo of your chicken coop. My husband would like to build one instead of the store bought one we currently have.

[Debra Elliott]

I have always wanted to see your chicken coop. I saw the coop years ago in the back ground of your show. We are looking for plans so school groups that visit our farm can see our flock laying eggs and feeding. Thanks for any plans. Debra

[carol]

I would love plans to your coop and any advise on building a new coop. Our first coop is falling down and I need plans for a better functioning coop. thank you. Carol

[john in Kansas]

Hi Martha,
Your chicken pics are GREAT! I live in town and last spring got the Eglu and two chicks for my backyard. . .they are now beautiful birds laying daily. Being in town, the neighbors see them as some exotic bird, but everyone loves them. . .even my dogs. Have you ever done a segment on your show about Urban Chickens. . .it's quite the thing in England and I think becoming more so in the US as people try to be more organic.

[Havelane]

We have been raising chickens on our 30-acre farm for about 7 years now and decided rather than going the way of a coop to try raising our hens in what are known as chicken tractors. Has anyone heard of them? They can be purchased but are rather expense, so we have made our own and are on prototype #4. It is a moveable hen coop. We house about 10-14 bantams in each one. Since our hens freerange, I move the tractors when the girls are let out each day. They are very easy to move and some come with wheels. We found that not to be practicable. I simply move one end and then the other. It surely fertilizes the backyard which is rather large. We keep the tractors in close due to predators, i.e. cayote, fox, raccoon, hawks, and stray dogs. They have all taken their toll on our hens and roosters over the years, sadly, so we keep them close in if possible. You might find that a tractor for smaller broods is fun and easy...you DON'T have to clean out the houses that way also! You can google chicken tractors to get some ideas. We just LOVE our hens and their eggs!

Nancy in SC

[Kimberly]

Martha,
I too have recently gotten chickens. On a recent show i heard you say you do not put your eggs in the fridge. Is it best to keep them out at room temp? How long will they keep? Thank you, Kimberly

[Fetter007]

I would also love the plans to help take my corncrib and convert it into a henhouse. Thanks!

[lisa]

hi martha, i read in the latimes today about you bringing your eggs to work to give away. i'm trying to figure out a simple, cheap, recycled way to package ours so i can do the same. any ideas?

[Lori]

I too would like the plans to your chicken coupe. I saw it on one of your shows a couple of years ago and wanted to get my husband to build one for me. Thank you.

[Clay]

Martha,
I , like all of these other fans, am planning to build a coupe. Is the plan for one like yours available? Thanks much...

[Kathy Clay]

Like all the rest of your fans I would also like the plans for the chicken coop. I saw that show quite awhile ago but my chickens are coming next week. Thanks Kathy