- Jun 1, 2012
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Hello all ~ Not sure if anyone really reads introductory posts but I've been lurking on these forums for a bit, so I thought I'd say hi.
While I've been interested in raising chickens for quite some time, I've never felt prepared to actually take the plunge until recently. They're such interesting little creatures and I'd love to have a few laying hens so that I would not have to continue to support the industry that mistreats chickens in the procuring and selling of their eggs. I have a few very important questions with which chicken experts could probably really help.
1. How much free time does one need in order to care for chickens? I'm a busy girl and wouldn't have much free time during the week to stand outside and watch my chickens to ensure that no predators carry them away. I'm planning to provide a decent coop with enough room for the chickens to hang out (I'm still researching that, as well).
2. How many eggs a week could I anticipate with three to four hens? I do know that some breeds are more prolific egg layers than others, but I'm not sure what's considered prolific.
3. Is there any advice you guys can offer me in terms of selecting a the right sort of coop? I don't want to spend a ridiculous amount of money, but I want my chickens to be happy and comfortable.
4. We have lots of foxes and hawks in our area and so I don't feel that my chickens could be free range. Would an hour a day out of the coop be too little free time in the yard? I could offer more supervised free ranging on the weekends, but not so much during the week.
5. I'm thinking a few young hens would be the best start for me. I don't know enough about raising chicks and so I'm not planning on bringing in a rooster just yet. Which breeds would you recommend?
I'm scared of taking the plunge and being unprepared. Some people make it look so easy, but I don't want to get in over my head. :O
Thanks in advance!
Kim
While I've been interested in raising chickens for quite some time, I've never felt prepared to actually take the plunge until recently. They're such interesting little creatures and I'd love to have a few laying hens so that I would not have to continue to support the industry that mistreats chickens in the procuring and selling of their eggs. I have a few very important questions with which chicken experts could probably really help.
1. How much free time does one need in order to care for chickens? I'm a busy girl and wouldn't have much free time during the week to stand outside and watch my chickens to ensure that no predators carry them away. I'm planning to provide a decent coop with enough room for the chickens to hang out (I'm still researching that, as well).
2. How many eggs a week could I anticipate with three to four hens? I do know that some breeds are more prolific egg layers than others, but I'm not sure what's considered prolific.
3. Is there any advice you guys can offer me in terms of selecting a the right sort of coop? I don't want to spend a ridiculous amount of money, but I want my chickens to be happy and comfortable.
4. We have lots of foxes and hawks in our area and so I don't feel that my chickens could be free range. Would an hour a day out of the coop be too little free time in the yard? I could offer more supervised free ranging on the weekends, but not so much during the week.
5. I'm thinking a few young hens would be the best start for me. I don't know enough about raising chicks and so I'm not planning on bringing in a rooster just yet. Which breeds would you recommend?
I'm scared of taking the plunge and being unprepared. Some people make it look so easy, but I don't want to get in over my head. :O
Thanks in advance!
Kim