Considering Chickens

[SR4E]

We are new to the site, we are Susan and Robert, and we have fundamental questions about 'having' (as opposed to 'raising') chickens, to suit our particular need. We have a seasonal get-away in central Maine that we occupy in July, August and September. We're considering chickens as TICK CONTROL, primarily; their eggs are not important to us.

Our Questions:
A. How many chickens for @ 1 acre of tick-infested land?
B. What type of chickens?
C. Any thoughts on 'free-range-coops' or shelters? We want them to come and go as they please and be reasonably safe at night from predators.

In October they will be given to locals to care for over the winter.

D. Can they be re-introduced to our acre the following July, or should we just get a new batch of chickens then?

 

[SunHwaKwon]

Welcome to BYC!

As far as breed, I think you will be limited to whatever you can find available that are old enough to be of any use for free ranging and pest control. So, you may not have much say in that aspect, though I would suggest poor layers that are not prone to broodiness and are predator savvy such as those breeds offered here: https://www.cacklehatchery.com/free-range-predator-resistant-special.html

You could have a coop without a run that has an automatic door. However, you will need to keep them shut up in the coop for a bit when you first get them (each year) so they can learn where to return to to roost at night. The number is somewhat up to you but also depends on how big a coop you want to buy or build. It will need to have enough roost space for each night and daytime space for when they are stuck inside during the acclimation period.

 

[SR4E]

Thanks, most helpful.

 

[Folly's place]

I much prefer chickens, but guineas are supposedly the best at tick control. There won't be chicken eggs, and guineas are incredibly loud, but you could consider them too. Mary

 

[SR4E]

I much prefer chickens, but guineas are supposedly the best at tick control. There won't be chicken eggs, and guineas are incredibly loud, but you could consider them too. Mary

I much prefer chickens, but guineas are supposedly the best at tick control. There won't be chicken eggs, and guineas are incredibly loud, but you could consider them too. Mary

We considered both and prefer chickens, too. The guineas are incessantly loud and tend to wander or stray.

 

[SunHwaKwon]

Mine are not very loud and don't wander far, but since you are getting new birds each year chickens will be the way to go since they will be easier to train to stay at your property. New adult guineas each year would be a bit harder, both to find and to rely on to not wander off.

 

[aart]

Welcome to BYC!
Kudos for doing some research.

Are you there full time for the 3 months?

Is your 1 acre fenced?
How will your neighbors feel about chickens in their yards?
They're not always good about 'boundaries', can be incredibly destructive to garden beds/landscaping, and they leave poop where ever they go.

Might want to check locally for a chicken keeper that has older hens not laying well anymore, could get them cheap. But getting rid of them in September/October could be a problem....local keepers might help you figure that out too.

Might want post your plight and find someone local to your summer abode in the Maine State Chat thread:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/maine.1370/

 

[SR4E]

Welcome to BYC!
Kudos for doing some research.

Are you there full time for the 3 months?

Is your 1 acre fenced?
How will your neighbors feel about chickens in their yards?
They're not always good about 'boundaries', can be incredibly destructive to garden beds/landscaping, and they leave poop where ever they go.

Might want to check locally for a chicken keeper that has older hens not laying well anymore, could get them cheap. But getting rid of them in September/October could be a problem....local keepers might help you figure that out too.

Might want post your plight and find someone local to your summer abode in the Maine State Chat thread:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/maine.1370/

Yes, full-time for 3 months. We are lakeside in very deep woods, no neighbors to infringe upon. Thanks for your thoughts…and the Maine link.

 

[andreanar]

What about having a rooster flock? Then processing them to eat at seasons end? Tons of people try to get rid of their roos and cockerals for free.

 

[SR4E]

What about having a rooster flock? Then processing them to eat at seasons end? Tons of people try to get rid of their roos and cockerals for free.[/QUOTE
We'll definitely look into it. Thanks.