Hey I started out with four and have over 200 now. I am a big victim of chicken math. We actually started a farm because we fell in love. We sold our home and moved to the country for the chickens. Best decision ever. I LOVE keeping chickens. They are so entertaining, endearing, hilarious and special. They can make me laugh on my worst days.
Agreed on the amusement factor. What's not to love about seeing a chicken with a huge grasshopper in her mouth, head down, wings flapping, doing the 100 meter dash to try to get away from the other girls so she can enjoy her snack in privacy. Or hearing their chortles of glee when they find an ant nest full of eggs, larvae, and queens/drones getting ready to take flight. Or watching them all gathered around a tomato horn worm, with their beaks about 1" away from it, having a discussion about whether it should be eaten, or perhaps might even be dangerous! Beware though, chickens can cause marital discord. Hubby just doesn't understand why I take the spade and open up all of those ant nests on "his" lawn. Also would prefer that the lawns not be marred by chicken bombs, chicken coops, runs, gardens... etc. He'd love the looks of a golf course lawn. But he sure does enjoy the grilled garden veggies, and the fresh eggs for breakfast. (City boy with country benefits!!!)
Youll be surprised!!! My boyfriend never really had pets he spoils chickens more than me!!! May i suggest Barnevelders!! I got mine as chicks most docile go along get along breed!!! Easy to train easy bringing in newbies gentle roosters!!! I purchased mine from donna beattie www.fossilrockfarm.com. If not those then maybe buckeyes.. I'm getting a breeding pair from pathfinders in a week!!! So excited These are both good dual purpose breeds Easy for beginners
We have three and are camping in Yellowstone for a week. Our neighbor checks in on them but all he really has to do is collect the eggs which he greedily does. Feeder in the coop and one outside. .... same with water. They free range our backyard and we have a Pullet-Shut door that let's them in and out.