Chickens 101

[smhoekzema]

Baby chickens poo a heck of a lot more than you will ever expect!! Be prepared!

 

[FuzzyButtz]

• When all their basic needs are met and maintained, chickens are extremely easy to care for.
• It's best to ensure all their basic needs are met before winter hits - especially if you're in a northern climate. Seems like once they go down hill and try and stay warm in -40C, they don't have it in them to climb back up the hill.
• Lice/Mites are a common and fatal issue whether you have 5 chickens or 500.
• Chickens are addictive and have individual personalities and are no different than a dog or cat in that aspect.
• Always build your chicken goodies (Coop, Run, Roosts, Boxes, etc) as big as you can possibly afford/handle. You can always build a temporary wall if it's too large, but building additions is much more difficult.
• Never, ever say "We just want a few chickens". I'm sorry, but it doesn't work that way.
• If you want to have a heat lamp in your coop, don't let anyone tell you otherwise. If it gives YOU piece of mind that they're comfortable and you have ample ventilation, feel free.
• Most chickens absolutely LOVE vegitable and fruit scraps.. who needs a garburator!
  I'll update this last as I continue on with chicken ownership :)

 

[urbanchange90]

Haha I feel like I will become addicted to raising chickens. All these tips are great; thank you all so much

 

[Chickens R Us]

One thing I never read about in a book was chicken math. Chickens are very addicting like potato chips, Nobody can have just one.

 

[tadpole98]

1) Even though you really want to free range, not all breeds do. Such as Polish, they can't free range. (learned it the hard way when they all just walked off, lost a ton)
2) Think really hard about what breeds you are going to want, Cause you can't have them all.
3) Don't wait much past dark to put the chickens away. This is when a lot of predators attack.
4) An electric wire on top and bottom of chicken fencing don't keep squat out of pen.
5) Buy water heaters before winter hits. Also, make sure they work before winter to see if you need to buy anymore.
6) You're gonna need a bigger coop..

 

[Alex41]

I really like this thread with all the info.

I'm just graduating from reading a few books to getting online and browsing this forum for answers to my questions.

Great info!!

Alex

 

[PheasantsFirst]

1) Even though you really want to free range, not all breeds do. Such as Polish, they can't free range. (learned it the hard way when they all just walked off, lost a ton)
2) Think really hard about what breeds you are going to want, Cause you can't have them all.
3) Don't wait much past dark to put the chickens away. This is when a lot of predators attack.
4) An electric wire on top and bottom of chicken fencing don't keep squat out of pen.
5) Buy water heaters before winter hits. Also, make sure they work before winter to see if you need to buy anymore.
6) You're gonna need a bigger coop..

All are extremely true.

If something is going to break, fix it.
Arrange/set up everything as if you were going to do it on the coldest day of winter every day.

 

[chickencoop789]

Chickens eat grass.........no one told me that until I figured it out when my yard turned into dirt

 

[ewinchester]

1. Chickens collapse in the sun. It is okay, they are fine.
2. A hen at the top of the pecking order one day, may be at the bottom the next.
3. Integrating new pullets into the fold is easier than a lot of people make it sound.
4. Chickens kill and eat snakes.
5. Dead junebugs are chicken crack.
6. Sometimes my chickens are more brave than I am.
7. There are lots of different opinions about everything related to chickens.
8. I miss my chickens when I travel.
9. You always want more.
10. There is always one chicken that will resist your efforts to get them inside the coop - when you really need to get them inside. It isn't always the same one.
11. Chickens are veerrryyyy dramatic.

 

[LTygress]

1. Chicks are a lot hardier than most sources would have you believe.

2. Crowing really can be LOUD!

3. Chickens will eat ANYTHING they can fit in their mouth.

4. Frizzles are SO INCREDIBLY SOFT!

5. When you actually get attached to one of your chickens, you get seriously attached (I was in tears ALL DAY when I put that buff polish down).

6. Chickens really do have individual personalities and quirks.

7. Chickens are very funny!

8. The inside of your house is the perfect make-shift coop for ill and injured chickens.

9. Feathers will find their way into amazing places.

10. You will do things when you own chickens, that probably shocked you once before. "So? Why should I care that you have a chicken on your bathroom vanity? Is it blocking your view in the mirror? Just wait until she's done then!"