Deciding today whether to get chickens. Have I considered everything?

[StephTheChicken]

I think you've thought things through very well. They do yell and carry on when they've "done an egg", but it's not an annoying noise as far as I'm concerned, and it doesn't go on and on. They just make their egg announcement for a while and then go back to fossicking for bugs and stuff.

You will NEVER waste eggs, no matter how many your girls give you. Somebody will want them (or in my case, ask me for them).

I would definitely get 3 instead of 2. If (when) something happens to one, the others will still have a friend and won't just suddenly lose everybody they know.

Yeh that's what I was thinking. Would prefer having just 2 but if one gets sick or something I wouldn't want a single hen left on her own. The more the merrier right!

I'm still a bit nervous about getting them. Keep telling myself to sleep on it haha

 

[chicken4prez]

Good point! I did read about sicknesses, yes. They're mainly at risk of respiratory diseases so I have to be careful with the bedding I choose (no cedar). Was also reading about mites but not sure if I should treat the coop with Diatom preventatively or only if necessary. In general the Orpingtons are very tough birds though apparently. My cat's vet is confident in dealing with chickens so if anything happens I have a place to take them to.

Good! If you have any people who sell DE (Diatomaceous Earth) I would sprinkle it in their food and just where they dust bath to prevent lice and other bugs to get in their system and on their skin. Good luck!

 

[StephTheChicken]

Hens are very quiet at night so no need to worry about that. My buffs make a bit of an announcement when they lay but not as loud or as long as some of my other breeds. Do you know how old these girls will be when you get them? Age will play a roll in how many eggs they produce, 18-24 months about the peak laying age. 2-3 is a great number as with your climate you do not have to worry about them getting too cold.
I agree with MasterOf above, you need to look for a layer feed. It has around 16% protein since they do not need to pack on weight like a meat bird does. There can be calcium in the food as well, mine has just under 4% but you can give oyster shell free choice in a separate container. Loads of sites on the internet for anything that they should not eat, but the list is small.
As far as disinfecting the coop, I have never done that as opening it to the sun and air works for me, but you do need a plan for composting or discarding the waste that they produce. I would recomend you look for something like PDZ for under where they roost, it acts like kitty litter making the process of cleaning very easy.
Good luck with your new flock!

They're 16 weeks old. I was looking for older ones but couldn't find any so having a look at these ones today. I wasn't too fussed about age as long as they were grown enough not to need heat anymore.

I did add some layer pellets to my shopping basket. Wasn't sure if I will have to mix things up with normal feed so that's good advice, thank you!

 

[Pork Pie]

This probably as good a place to start as any - https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/

The FAQ article is great, as it the Learning Centre (links to both are found in the link above)

 

[GranolaGirl72]

They're 16 weeks old. I was looking for older ones but couldn't find any so having a look at these ones today. I wasn't too fussed about age as long as they were grown enough not to need heat anymore.

That is a great age to start, they are past the frail age so you will be able to relax a bit. We have dips to -28C temps in the winter here and do not heat the coop so you are more than good to go.

 

[User395221]

I'm still a bit nervous about getting them. Keep telling myself to sleep on it haha

Wait until they do move in, you'll be running out there to check on them every 5 minutes and you won't sleep at all.

You will see requests for help on the forum when there have been incidents or someone gets sick, but in general, chickens are very easy to look after and they don't usually come with problem behaviours or things you need to worry about too much. Just give them plenty of room, food and water, and they are happy little birdies.

 

[RowanTheRed]

you have really prepared yourself well for the possibility of being a chicken parent.

the one thing I would reconsider though, is that you mentioned using chicken wire. Instead I would HIGHLY recommend using hardware cloth instead. It is so much studier than chicken wire and predators car very easily tear through the chicken wire. Even a neighborhood cat could get through chicken wire if they had their heart set on a nice chicken dinner!

 

[User395221]

oh, one other thought - have you checked with your local/borough council that you are allowed to keep chickens where you live?

(BTW, I have 3 cats and not one is interested in the chooks, other than as entertainment.)

 

[StephTheChicken]

you have really prepared yourself well for the possibility of being a chicken parent.

the one thing I would reconsider though, is that you mentioned using chicken wire. Instead I would HIGHLY recommend using hardware cloth instead. It is so much studier than chicken wire and predators car very easily tear through the chicken wire. Even a neighborhood cat could get through chicken wire if they had their heart set on a nice chicken dinner!

The garden itself is pretty safe but yes, there are cats in the neighbourhood (including my own). Just googled hardware cloth and it does look sturdier, I'll get that instead. Thank you for the tip!

 

[StephTheChicken]

oh, one other thought - have you checked with your local/borough council that you are allowed to keep chickens where you live?

(BTW, I have 3 cats and not one is interested in the chooks, other than as entertainment.)

I didn't even consider that it might not be legal until I read it somewhere and it made my heart drop. Luckily it's been completely legal to keep chickens here since 2010 phew!

That's a relief about the cats. Mine's really tame, he just wants cuddles all the time. The other day he tried to catch a butterfly and failed miserably. So I'm pretty sure he'll leave the chickens alone. Orpingtons seem to be pretty big so the cat will probably be scared of them anyway.