Advice, help, opinion, knowledge needed!

[The Garden Pixy]

Hi all,

I'm new here as you can see and this is my first post, now I'm not sure where was the correct place to start the thread but here it goes. I'm a complete newbie when it comes to chickens so sorry if this is common sense.

I have been wanting to get a hen for awhile now but I have a few questions. My neighbor has a growing flock of several hens and 2 roosters that are free range, I've even seen them as a group in my yard about three times in the past 2 years, which isn't a problem. I just want to know if I get a hen will it leave and join their flock? Will a rooster come and take her? Or will they attack her?

Also, I'm not sure how many I should start off with...I heard they can get lonely if alone but since I'm new to this I don't want to start off with so many and feel overwhelmed. I would like to have several but that's only after I see whether or not I can handle it and/or it's for me as this would be my first time with a chicken in general. But of course if it really is best to have more than one then so be it, just how many should I start off with?

I plan on having them free range as well which I was wondering if I need a coop for that anyway? I live in Puerto Rico so there is no cold climate and since I'm up on the mountains there's always a good breeze even on the hottest days, plus there are several large shaded areas...but again I have no clue on whether a coop is necessary and if it's needed I have no problem getting one.

Any help is greatly appreciated, & sorry if this is in the wrong forum!

 

[Yay Chicks!]

Hi, and

A coop usually provides a safe place to sleep at night. I'm not sure what kind of predators you might have where you live...? It's also a safe and consistent place to lay eggs.

Chickens are flock birds. Three is a good number to start with, then if anything happens to one, you still have two left.

Your neighbors roosters may show interest in your hens.

Good luck!

 

[The Garden Pixy]

Oh I didn't know that. So coop it is! We have some hawks around here and lots of roaming dogs, don't know if dogs are predators to a hen though? And I have cat.

Three seems manageable so that's a relief.

And as for the rooster well I guess I'll just hope for the best?...I just don't want them running off to become apart of the other flock. Also don't want them giving me any surprises, as in new editions to the flock via mating.

Thanks for the quick answer!

 

[Den in Penn]

HI and welcome.
If you make them think of the coop as home the chances of them running off will lessen. Consider an enclosed run to confine them, leaving them out while you are there. Dogs kill more chickens than any other single predator. Cats rarely bother with chickens. Surprise additions occur only after 21 days of incubation. If you gather eggs every day it won't happen, unless one of your hens goes broody and hides the nest.

 

[galanie]

HI and welcome.
If you make them think of the coop as home the chances of them running off will lessen.  Consider an enclosed run to confine them, leaving them out while you are there.  Dogs kill more chickens than any other single predator.  Cats rarely bother with chickens.  Surprise additions occur only after 21 days of incubation.  If you gather eggs every day it won't happen, unless one of your hens goes broody and hides the nest.

If you have lots of loose dogs around, you'd better be sure they can not get to your chickens. Cats are normally only a worry until they get around 4 months old if they're not bantams. Once they get a certain size most cats won't mess with them. But dogs, oh yes, check the pests and predators section often enough and you'll see more than a few "dogs got my girls" posts.

And the sad part is, they are only doing it because it's fun to them. Big squeaky toys just waiting to be chased and killed. So fun!

 

[bobbi-j]

I agree with all the advice you've been given so far. Three is a nice number to start with, in my opinion. They may feel more like a "flock" that way, and it's a small enough flock that you shouldn't feel overwhelmed. A coop with a nice attached run would be good to start with. They can still go outside, yet get used to being there and see the coop as home. Also, you can leave home without worrying about the roaming dogs or neighbor's chickens bothering your birds. If you do free range, it's possible that your neighbor's rooster could become interested in your hens, but I think they'll stick around your place if they know that's where the food and water are. We don't have an issue with anything like that, so I can't say for sure what could happen there. Good luck and keep us posted!

 

[The Garden Pixy]

Wow thanks so much for the replies, I didn't know dogs were that much of a danger to chickens. There are several around me that are unfortunately just loose at all times. A pack of three up the hill and a pack of 5 down the hill ;\ Now I'm a little worried...

Though my neighbor doesn't seem to be having any problems with them but I'll keep a close eye and just stick with having them out the coop when I can be attentive.

Good thing about the eggs. I was worried I would end up having more than I could manage if surprises were to come along.

I do have another question though, what's the best age to have them as chicks, 2-4 months, or when they are already laying?

 

[flewdacoop]

i also say 3 hens and you shoud use the coop with an inclosed run then you dont have to worry as much it will help keep pretitors out and keep the chickens in.. good luck i started with 4 chickens 3 months ago now i have 15 build bigger than you need because your flock will grow.. i love my chick chick chicks

 

[galanie]

If you get them at 5 months or older, they'll either be laying or about to and that's what a lot of people want. If you get babies, they tend to be more "your" chickens when you raise them up from a young age. It just takes a lot longer before you get any eggs. What I mean by "your" birds is that they have a very firm idea of where home is and who you are and such.

 

[Den in Penn]

There may be many reasons your neighbor's chickens survive the neighborhood dogs. They may be a flight capable breed. The vegetation allows for good evasion. The chickens have become educated about the dogs. Or the dogs may not have an interest in them. I would not worry to much If the chickens have a secure place. What gelanie said about raising chicks being yours is right. plus the fun of watching them grow up.