Hi Brenda; A good coop depends a great deal on where you live. In the warmer sections of the country coops are often open structures just to protect the chickens from the elements while in the land of ice and snow chickens need a real house. Predators pose an other problem. Some folks describe their coop as Fort Knox For Feathers. Depends on what's around. Chickens need place to roost, a nest to lay eggs, feed and water available 24/7 and protection from weather and preditors. After that a coop should be easy to maintain and service. Someone has to get in there every day, don't make it difficult on yourself. The standard rule is 10 Sq. Ft. of space per chicken combining coop and run. So 6 standard size chickens should have 60 Sq. Ft or 6'X10' area divided between the coop and the run.
Chickens: Rhode Island Reds are known as the Brown Egg Machines. However they come with a warning. They are intense. If they like you they really get into it if they don't wear gloves, heavy gloves. Next best bet is Sex-links or "production birds" usually RIR crossbreeds that are easier to handle.
If you want a more interesting flock any of the herritage breeds. A flock of mixed breeds can be very pretty but with lower egg production.
Finaly: are you looking for pullets or are you thinking of raising chicks? Can you keep and/or is a rooster in the picture?
Ol' George
--- In CHICKENS-101@yahoogroups.com, "brendasuephillips" <brendasue420@...> wrote:
>
> New member here...and I would like to set up a chicken coop with 3-6 chickens. I have an old, unused dog run that I would like to convert to a coop.
>
> I want chickens that lay large, brown eggs. What isare the name of chickens that could fill my order?
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> Never have done this before, but acquainted with chickens and coops. Probably a fast learner because of this.
>
> Somebody, point me in the right direction...and thanks!
>
> Brenda
>
CHICKENS-101@yahoogroups.com
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