I just signed up to be a member of this site, but have been reading for a while. I've appreciated all the useful information and the general welcoming, community feel of this site. The only thing that I've noticed is that there is a definite lack of information for, and representation of, chicken enthusiasts in Hawaii -- more specifically suburban Honolulu.
A little about myself, my chicks (brown production layers) are two weeks old. I ordered two, but the super nice lady at Asagi Hatchery threw in an extra one. Ostensibly the chicks were for the kids (4 year old girl and 3 year old boy), but I don't think anyone is buying that anymore.
The push toward posting this, and hopefully starting a lively and informative discussion, was an article in the local paper regarding the growing trend in Honolulu of raising backyard chickens. I've noticed that this site lacked information, or at least I could not find it, regarding raising chickens in suburban Honolulu.
For example the most glaring contradiction to the gospel of "95 degrees for the first week...." is that my hatchery said eighty-five degrees for the first week using a forty watt bulb. I had to return my huge 250 watt red bulb and heat lamp in favor of the desk lamp with a CFL bulb. My chicks were content and comfortable. I cannot imagine what would have happened if I had used the other bulb. Another example, which I guess most people would be jealous of, is that there really are no predators to speak of -- cats, dogs, and maybe mongoose depending on what part of Honolulu you live in (although I think they only want the eggs). And I've taken them outside everyday since the third day I've had them. The weather here is about 75-85 degrees everyday and it's only going to get warmer as the summer approaches.
When I started thinking about this post, I thought I would have more examples of differences raising chickens in suburban Honolulu, but right now.... Well, I guess that's why I started this thread, let me know what I'm missing, what I can expect, and any stories that we may find interesting.
(Note: not a thread for raising chickens in the country, nor chicken fighting)
A little about myself, my chicks (brown production layers) are two weeks old. I ordered two, but the super nice lady at Asagi Hatchery threw in an extra one. Ostensibly the chicks were for the kids (4 year old girl and 3 year old boy), but I don't think anyone is buying that anymore.
The push toward posting this, and hopefully starting a lively and informative discussion, was an article in the local paper regarding the growing trend in Honolulu of raising backyard chickens. I've noticed that this site lacked information, or at least I could not find it, regarding raising chickens in suburban Honolulu.
For example the most glaring contradiction to the gospel of "95 degrees for the first week...." is that my hatchery said eighty-five degrees for the first week using a forty watt bulb. I had to return my huge 250 watt red bulb and heat lamp in favor of the desk lamp with a CFL bulb. My chicks were content and comfortable. I cannot imagine what would have happened if I had used the other bulb. Another example, which I guess most people would be jealous of, is that there really are no predators to speak of -- cats, dogs, and maybe mongoose depending on what part of Honolulu you live in (although I think they only want the eggs). And I've taken them outside everyday since the third day I've had them. The weather here is about 75-85 degrees everyday and it's only going to get warmer as the summer approaches.
When I started thinking about this post, I thought I would have more examples of differences raising chickens in suburban Honolulu, but right now.... Well, I guess that's why I started this thread, let me know what I'm missing, what I can expect, and any stories that we may find interesting.
(Note: not a thread for raising chickens in the country, nor chicken fighting)