A chicken appeared in my yard this morning...

[adoptivechickenmom]

So I walked out of my house this morning and found a chicken in my veggie patch! I'm such a citygirl that I wasn't even sure it WAS a chicken, till I took a few pics and sent them around. By all accounts, it is a young chicken: white'ish, small, only a few pounds. She was friendly, and walked right up to me. I had to get to work, but I felt so sorry for her, and ran into the house to get her some bread. I tore it up into little chunks and she gobbled them up. I have no idea how she got into our yard, which has a solid six-foot fence all around it. Maybe someone tossed her in??

I went to work and came back expecting it to be gone, but here she still is - now roosting on top of a wooden table thing. Chickens are illegal in my city - not that I care. I like this chicken and want to keep her! But i know NOTHING about chickens! I'm worried about it right now - I know there could be predators out there but have nothing to use as a coop... Can anyone provide me with some emergency chicken advice on what to use for a coop, and what to feed it? Tonight I gave her chopped up carrots, a bit of cheese, some whole grain crackers, and lots of fresh water. What else?

Lastly, are stray chickens dangerous, in terms of disease or anything? How would I know if she were sick?

thanks!!

 

[clickie]

hi,

That's strange that a chicken just showed up. One of my friends lives near an extremly busy road, and she found a baby chick in her yard. It's a mystery how it got there.

Does anyone around you own chickens?

 

[lovemychix]

It's a sign that you were meant to have a chicken.

I would find her somewhere safe and a shelter. Maybe a box in the garage. Good luck! Sounds like you found a new friend.

 

[lovemychix]

They will eat anything. There is a list of NO NO foods if you search on the forum. About the sickness. If she doesn't look sick I wouldn't worry. You can search diseases and find out. Usually it's runny nose and eyes.

 

[WriterofWords]

Careful, I ended up in here because someone left a box of chicks on my front steps!!! LOL

from NM!

 

[Imp]

adop...

Are you sure it's a hen? That's kind neat that it just showed up. Maybe the chicken gods thought you needed a friend. Lol.
Predators are a very real threat. If you think they are around you do need to protect her. Can you put here in some sort of cage in a closed garage or in the house (at night) till you can work out the details. Temporarily veggies grains etc are OK to feed. And yes chicken are dangerous. You will find yourself spending way too much time and money on her. Then she'll want friends. Good luck.

Imp-

 

[Judy]

She is very unlikely to have a disease that will affect you. Simple handwashing should be plenty. There are several chicken diseases, but they don't affect people, for the most part.

If you are concerned about predators, you might want to put her in your garage or laundry room or basement til you get your plans together. She will be fine outdoors IF no predator gets her. You can really feed her most anything you eat, til you get some feed -- leftovers would be fine, including those with meat in them. A handful of oatmeal out of the box or a hard boiled egg would be fine, too -- cheese -- even dog or cat food. These aren't ideal long term chicken diets, but will get you through. Your meal was just fine. She won't eat in the dark, anyway.

The "Learning Center" link at the top of the page is a great way to get a quick overview of what they need.

Do you have a dog house or crate you can put her in, perhaps? If so, close off the entrance, and let her out in the AM.

 

[Chicken Ninja]

from

 

[FrenchHen]

Aw, you've been adopted! Chickens are easier than cats or dogs, but you'll want to find her a friend so she's not lonely if you decide to keep her.

Welcome!

 

[ChickBond 007]

Where are you from? I can drop some more off while you're not looking.

The danger of a pet who will make you breakfast is that you will enjoy them too much. A lawn chair, a beverage, and tossing raisins out to the chickens is our idea of relaxation this summer. So entertaining.
Do you have a plastic tote that she can stay in at night in the garage? Some sawdust/wood shavings for the bottom?
I'm going to tell hubby that the chicken-fairy is dropping off chickens in people's yards, and that's how I have so many more now.... 32 plus 3 chicks, plus 5 ducklings, plus 3 adolescent ducks, plus two male drakes..... darn Fairy.