chickens

[ShrekDawg]

I am thinking of maybe potentially getting chickens and was just curious how many chickens I would need if we wanted enough eggs for a 5 person family, with hopefully enough left over to give to neighbors and/or sell? Also how many eggs does a chicken produce daily/per week? I think I like/want mostly Plymouth Barred Rocks and Rhode Island Reds and maybe a few Plymouth White Rocks and most recently (like today and yesterday) I find the Buff Orpingtons to be cute. And maybe potentially may consider New Hampshire Red, but not as likely. So like how many chickens do we need for a 5 person family? Oh and no roosters please, so like how many laying hens would we need? And also we probably would only want a few, not a ton to keep as like backyard pets and egg layers. We also may/probably would want to raise them from chicks so what else do I/we need to know? We have a family of 5. It's me, my older brother, my little brother, my mom and my dad. I'm the only girl. We also have a 7 yr old neutered male cat named Mittens, a parakeet named Buffy (age unknown, male we think/know/are pretty sure!), a 2 year old male rabbit named Beanie, and some baby guppies (fish) in a fish tank. My friends guppies keep having babies so she gave me some of the older babies (like around 2 monthes old I/we think). They are all so cute and lovable! cant wait till we get chickens and horses and another dog and goats and llamas/alpacas, and more birds maybe some cockatiels, and maybe just a few more cats, and really have a whole farm/zoo! lol. then my parents would really go crazy lol! Mwaaa hahahahaha mwaaaa hahaha! lol. but luckily for them that probably wont happen although I may talk them into letting me get chickens and stuff but idk. with the chicken thing I think they are somewhat persuaded/maybe leaning towards it/thinking about it but still indecisive/i dont know yet/we dont have chickies yet but I'm hoping! thanks.


Edited to remove personal information.

 

[saddina]

Ok deep breath.

First go back and remove ages & names of minors....

Now then are you in a city or country? Many cities have zoning restrictions on how many and what kind of poultry you can have. start by googling "cityname poulty ordinance" or try Fowl or livestock if poultry doesn't get you anything.

Once you find out if you have a limit, then go with that number. If no limit, then how many eggs do you use now? If everyone wants 3 scrambled eggs for brekfast everyday, then you'll need more than if it's only omlette's on sundays.

Generall a chicken will lay 5-6 eggs per bird a week, once they reach laying size.

Come back with some answers and then people can give better suggestions for your family and your area.

 

[PurpleChicken]

I think you should get 12 hens.

I think you should get 12 hens.

I think you should get 12 hens.

I think you should get 12 hens.

I think you should get 12 hens.

I think you should get 12 hens.

I think you should get 12 hens.



88 posts here and no chickens?? Hmmmm.. Curious...

 

[ShrekDawg]

Thanks for all your help. I googled it. and you guys can google it too. i am in Duxbury. If you google 'duxbury poultry ordinance' click on the 3rd one down, and go to Chapter 11 it has the whole by-law entitled "Right to Farm By-law" it is very interesting. apparently in Duxbury they actually encourage farming. Here is the link in case you cant find it but I dont know if it will work. but you should be able to find it though.

http://www.town.duxbury.ma.us/Public_Documents/DuxburyMA_TownMan/Bylaws/GenBylaws08.pdf

Also it does not say anything about how many chickens you can have so I take it you are allowed to have as many as you want, Some other people in town have chickens as well so I kinda figured they were allowed but did not know the specifics but now I do.

Also another thing is they dont care about noise and smell and stuff, like peeps cant complain, so I think you can have roosters to even if you want, not that i would really want them lol but still good to know.

And also here is the whole chapter in case link does not work and you cant find it. and to make it easier for you guys. I copied and pasted it. I think its to much to fit here in one reply so i will post it in the next.

 

[ShrekDawg]

CHAPTER 11: RIGHT TO FARM BYLAW
Section 1: Purpose and Intent
The Town of Duxbury finds that farming is an essential and valued activity, which
provides fresh food, clean air, economic diversity, local employment, and open spaces to
all the citizens of the town. This by-law is intended to encourage the pursuit of
agriculture, promote agricultural-based economic and employment opportunities, and
protect farmland within the Town of Duxbury.
The purpose and intent of this by-law is to allow agricultural uses and related activities to
function in harmony with the community, Town agencies, and others. This By-law shall
apply to all jurisdictional areas within the Town.
This by-law re-states with emphasis the Right to Farm accorded to all citizens of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts as stated under the Constitution and General Laws and
Regulations, including but not limited to Article 97, of the Constitution, Massachusetts
General Laws Chapter 40A, Section 3, Paragraph 1; (The Zoning Act) Chapter 90,
Section 9, Chapter 111, Section 125A and Chapter 128 Section 1A.
Section 2: Definitions
Farm: Any parcel or parcels of land, or water bodies, used for the purpose of
commercial or private agriculture, or accessory thereto.
“Farming” or “Agriculture” or their derivates shall include, but not be limited to
commercial and private pursuit of the following:
· Farming in all its branches and the cultivation and tillage of the soil;
· Production, cultivation, growing, and harvesting of any agricultural, aquaculture,
floriculture, viticulture, or horticultural commodities including orchards:
· Growing and harvesting of forest products, including the production of maple
syrup and other related forestry or lumbering operations;
· Breeding, raising, keeping, dairying, and/or selling of livestock, e.g. cattle, sheep,
swine, goats, llamas, and alpacas;
· Breeding, raising, keeping, and/or selling horses; e.g. boarding, training, or as an
adjunct to farming;
· Breeding, raising, keeping, and/or selling poultry, owls, rabbits, bees, fur-bearing
animals and other domesticated animals for food, fiber, fur or other agricultural
purposes.
“Farming” shall encompass activities including, but not limited to, the following:
· Operation and transportation of slow-moving farm equipment over roads with the
Town;
53
· Control of pests, including but not limited to, insects, weeds, predators, and
disease organism of plants and animals under generally accepted management
practices;
· Application and storage of manure, pesticides, and fertilizers under generally
accepted management practices;
· Conducting agriculture-related educational and farm-based recreational activities,
including agri-tourism, provided that the activities are related to marketing and
agricultural output or services of the farm;
· Processing and packaging of the agricultural output of the farm and the operation
of a farmer’s market or farm stand including signage thereto.
· Maintenance, repair, or storage of farm equipment, or apparatus owned or leased
by the farm owner or manager used expressly for the purpose of propagation,
processing, management, or sale of the agricultural products;
· On-farm relocation of earth or sale of material and the clearing of ground for
farming operations;
· Constructing and maintaining farm buildings used for shelter, feed, and storage;
· Maintaining drainage or irrigation ditches; picking stone; constructing, repairing,
or maintaining fences; and clearing, renovating and maintaining pastures.
Section 3: Right to Farm Declaration
The Right to Farm is hereby recognized to exist within the Town of Duxbury. The abovedescribed
agricultural activities may occur on holidays, weekdays, and weekends; by
night or day and shall include the attendant incidental noise, odors, dust, and fumes
associated with normally accepted agricultural practices. It is hereby determined that
whatever impact may be caused to others through the normal practices of agriculture is
more than offset by the benefits of farming to the neighborhood, community, and society
in general. The benefits and protections of this By-law are intended to apply to those
commercial and private agricultural and farming operations and activities conducted in
accordance with generally accepted agricultural practices. For any agricultural practice, in
determining the reasonableness of the time, place, and methodology of such practice,
consideration shall be given to both traditional customs and procedures as well as to new
practices and innovations. Moreover, nothing in this Right to Farm By-law shall be
deemed as acquiring any interest in land, or as imposing any land use regulation, which is
properly the subject of state statue, regulation, local zoning law, and local Board of
Health rules and regulations.
Section 4: Disclosure Notification
In order to ensure that prospective owners and prospective tenants are aware of the policy
of the Town of Duxbury expressed in this By-law regarding agricultural uses, the
following notification shall be prominently posted in the Duxbury Town Hall, Duxbury
Free Library, and on the Town of Duxbury website within 30 days of this bylaw
becoming effective. In addition, the notification language required by this section shall
appear each year in the Town’s Annual Report.
54
It is the policy of this community to conserve, protect, and encourage the maintenance
and improvement of agricultural land for the production of food and other agricultural
products, and for its natural and ecological value. This disclosure notification is to
inform buyers or occupants that the property they are about to acquire or occupy lies
within a community where farming activities occur and are encouraged. Such farming
activities may include, but are not limited to, activities that cause noise, dust, and odors.
Buyers and occupants are informed that any property within the Town of Duxbury may
be impacted by commercial agricultural and farming activities.
Property owners should make efforts to inform prospective tenants or buyers that
Duxbury is a Right to Farm community.
Section 5: Resolution of Disputes
Any person having a complaint about a farm activity or practice is encouraged to seek an
amicable resolution to the complaint, including talking directly with the involved farmer.
Any person who seeks to complain about the operation of a farm may, notwithstanding
pursuing any other available remedy, file a grievance with the Board of Selectmen, the
Zoning Enforcement Officer, or the Board of Health, depending upon the nature of the
grievance. The filing of the grievance does not suspend the time within which to pursue
any other available remedies that the aggrieved may have. The Zoning Enforcement
Officer or Board of Selectmen may forward a copy of the grievance of the Agricultural
Commission or its agent, which shall review and facilitate the resolution of the grievance,
and report its recommendations to the referring Town authority within sixty days.
The Board of Health shall forward a copy of the grievance to the Agricultural
Commission or its agent, which shall review and facilitate the resolution of the grievance,
and report on its recommendations to the Board of Health within an agreed upon time
frame.
Section 6: Severability Clause
If any part of this By-law is for any reason held to be unconstitutional or invalid, such
decision shall not affect the remainder of this By-law. The Town of Duxbury hereby
declares the provisions of this By-law to be severable.
Chapter 11 accepted by the Attorney General on April 29, 2008 and printed in the
Duxbury Clipper on May 7, 2008 and May 14, 2008.

 

[saddina]

Good job.

Ok so you want egg hens and not meat birds for your first foray into chicken keeping.

Do you already have a shed you can convert, or will you need to build one?

Are you willing to shovel poo? (when building please keep in mind shovel access).

I'm going to suggest some sex links as that drops the chance of surprise roosters (they should not be yellow chicks if you buy sex-linked birds). However what do you want to raise? EE's lay pretty eggs and can liven up the egg hunt. Have a plan now for dealing with surprise roosters, sick chickens and find out how to euthanise, these are things you don't want to have to google in a panic.

Go look on the meat bird forum for how to put a bird down.

PC's suggestion of 12 is good, if you can use 10 eggs a day.

Ask any questions you can think on, someone will know the answer.

 

[ibpboo]

10 or 12 chickens. Easter Eggers are cool cuz they lay green eggs.
At mt feed store you can buy just pullets. I keep 10 hens, no roosters.

 

[Mahonri]

12 hens

2 EEs

5 black sex links

5 red sex links.

Enjoy the eggs.

 

[ShrekDawg]

I was thinking I could possibly convert a dog house into a coop but if not I will have to build one. that amount sounds pretty good and I will have to check out those breeds. I was thinkig/ike Plymouth Rocks, Rhode Island Reds, Buff Orpingtons, etc but I guess any/whatever you guys suggest will work too. I dont really care. I kinda want pets so they gotta be friendly, lovable, cuddleable, nice, etc but they also have to be good egg layers and because its New England they have to be cold hardy and summers can also get pretty hot here too sometimes so heat tolerant too. and easy cleaning of coop would prob be better. ya i think I/we could prob shovel poop too if need be cuz thats prob gonna be nessecary. Oh and I dont want roosters or meat birds just egg laying backyard pets. And thanks for all the info and help and stuff.

 

[Mahonri]

I have a coop with a linoleum floor. We sweep and mop every week.