Beginner - Are chickens low maintenance?

[FarmerGirl101]

Hello,

Near where I live (San Jose, California) there is a city park (Emma Prusch Farm Park) that is surrounded by busy streets and yet I see free-range chickens roaming around year-round and they look happy.

I have a remote 1-acre orchard that I visit one per week. The orchard is located in a rural area with other farms with animals. Currently there are only fruit trees there. I'm thinking about adding some chickens to my orchard since I think their benefits sounds good: some eggs, manure for the fruit trees, weed management, etc.

My question is that is it possible to take care of a few adult chickens without being there every day (1 day/week to be more precise). My concern is not about productivity but just their survivability (given enough food, water, fenced shelter). Also which breed would be suitable for a very low maintenance setup? (our winter lowest is about 28F, summer highest about 100F)

May be am I too naive and it's just a dream? Thanks for any info/guidance.
Son Nguyen

Maybe go every other day in the summer as water will get low quickly. I live in the outskirts of SJ and water gets low easily so go every other day.

 

[Cryss]

I don't have experience with guinea hens, but I've been doing a bit of reading because I was considering adding a few. Changed my mind because off the noise factor. However, I just wonder now if these would be a better fit for OP. Noise wouldn't be a factor, they roost in trees, they don't lay eggs as often, they would still deposit fertilizer, and they are delightful to watch.
Just a thought.

 

[JanetMarie]

If I came across a property that had chickens in an enclosure, and could see they were neglected, I would contact animal control or rescue them myself.

 

[m1chelle1]

Here's a fresh (I think idea). Trying to think outside of the box.... So are you familiar with community gardens? They are gardens that the community helps tend to in a shared space, and there are multiple people (at times) tending to one garden in the community. I was thinking that for this situation, it wouldn't hurt to think about community chickens. Here's what I mean. Do you have any friends, coworkers, neighbors, etc who are nearby that area who would be interested in doing some sort of rotational community chicken keeping with you? I am well aware of the risk of predators as well- trust me it can be totally devastating. And it makes me nervous leaving chickens alone for that long, even tho I do acknowledge it CAN be done. If you don't know of anyone who can work in some sort of community chicken tending schedule with you, it might not be a horrible idea to put out an ad in the local community (fliers, craigslist, whatever youre comfortable with) that can solicit other responsible individuals who would be interested in this sort of venture? You never know, you might be able to make new friends and have the support of a community. Definitely need to vet random community members (lol) ensure theyre responsible, but I don't think it would be a half bad idea...

Just my 2c

hope this helps!!

 

[ChocolateMouse]

Janet makes a good point... Consider adding padlocks! You never know who is going to look at what conditions and consider them neglectful even if the animals have food, water, shelter and clean housing. It won't stop someone dedicated but it might stop someone who was just thinking about it more casually. I actually have padlocks on my fence and some of my cage/coop doors for that reason. I had some neighbors that didn't like chickens and kept opening up my fences and pens when I wasn't home.

 

[BarredRockMom]

Community gardens & co-op chicken keeping are fabulous ideas...which could work. I suspect that in this scenario, it wouldn't work however. If the primary "owner" of the birds isn't either able or willing to devote more time to the animals, why should someone else be expected to invest their time & energy?

In a perfect world, or even this world with the right people falling into the path of this scenario, it'd work all day every day. How likely is that scenario?

Just skip it for now, as a flock requires more than 1 day a week. And frankly, they deserve better.

 

[Cryss]

A community co-op would need a group of like minded families in agreement. Each family would pick a day to be responsible. This would include feeding, watering, cleaning in the agreed upon manner(I suggest deep litter) and enjoying time with chickens rain or shine, snow or Sun. The day they are responsible for is also their day to collect and keep eggs. How many chickens depends on how many people are involved.
Do-able. But you need to trust everyone involved and have plans for consequences.
Are chickens low maintenance? I'd say yes. Are they no-maintenance? Absolutey not. You may have your answer by now. It may not be the one you hoped for.

 

[eatwhatyougrow]

It's not one acre is that 1 acre fenced? If it is I would think you could free range a flighty breed that is know to forage and doesn't lay often or choose maybe a Ranger variety that is more for meat? When I am in the villages in Uganda I see a whole lot of free ranging chickens. Some of the set ups I have helped build are a central coop with auto door and will you lose some birds. Yes. But the ones that survive will be breeding characteristics of chickens that can free range and take care of themselves. They will not be great layers or much for meat. But if you just want them to look at, eat bugs, and poop. Well it might do. One caution however is chicken poo is high in nitrogen and may actually kill your trees. I had two peach trees die because the chicks just loved to hang out near them. They were Young trees an older established tree may fair better. Just my two cents on the idea...

 

[pvaldes]

You could skip the water part if you build a small pond, but eggs, predators and humans will be a problem.

Maybe pigeons would fit better. You can avoid most terrestrial predators with a well designed dovecote.

If you just want to atract and enjoy the view of beautiful birds... a pond will attract lots of wildlife, including dozens of bird species. (Remember that you can not trust a pond + toddlers combination without strict surveillance, and that in some places it can attract undesired reptiles).

 

[jeepgrrl]

The bottom line is that if the OP follows through with what they are proposing, there will be definite (unnecessary) loss of life. To resonate what previous posters have stated: please wait until you can give the chickens the attention and care they deserve and require - one day a week ain't gonna cut it! Enjoy the ferals at the park until your lifestyle is more aligned with taking care of chickens. ☺☺☺