Found a chicken on the highway! Help!!

[texastexas]

I found a chicken on the highway today, or, more specifically, at my workplace very near the highway. She was just wandering around. I've wanted to keep a few chickens in my backyard for a couple years now, but haven't ever got around to it. So, naturally, this must be some sort of holy sign saying, "Now is the time to begin, texastexas!"

The only problem is, now is not the time to begin. I"m broke as a joke for at least 5 more days. How can I accommodate her comfortably and CHEAPLY for awhile? I'm researching, of course, but I could use some ideas quickly. Right now, she's in a large dog kennel, maybe 2.5' x 3' x 2' (w x l x h). I already know the laws check out okay in my area. Ummmm... help!


UPDATE/EDIT:
It should be noted, that I do not need to worry about predators, although we have a couple of dogs that certainly aren't used to having smaller animals around.

Also, here's the chicken. Can you tell me anything about him/her?

 

[StarLover21]

Sounds like your doing good so far. Right now, she should be okay in the dog kennel. Is she full grown? Do you have any pictures of her? (just to make sure she's healthy.) If she's tame, you can let her out on little 'expeditions' around the yard for exercise.

If you haven't already, you can buy small, reasonably priced bags of chicken food at tractor supply or some other farm store to get you started. If she's full grown and looks like she will be laying, get layer feed, if she's younger, get chick starter. You can also get cheap water containers there to give her water in- or, you can just give it to her for now in a sturdy tupperware.

One one the most important things to do now is to get her a freind. One single chicken will be very lonely and stressed. You can get cheap hens on craiglist- you many even find some for free.

Good luck!

 

[downsm75]

You can also find scrap lumber free on CL. You can build her a home also, when you get some extra $$, you can buy HARDWARE CLOTH to make her a run with. Until then, keep her in the kennel

 

[downsm75]

Oh, and welcome to the world of chickens ... Their better than Prozac!

 

[StarLover21]

Wow- good find! She's looks very sweet. At least I think it's a she, I can't quite tell from the angle of the picture and not knowing the age.

However it looks like a Barred Rock pullet- she doesn't seem to be laying quite yet, but will probably start in the next month or so. Barred Rocks are fantastic chickens and great layers! Also from the picture it looks like she's in a good space. You can look up barred rocks and you'll find tons of great reveiws on them

 

[Lots A Cluckin]

she is a barred rock pullet maybe 16-18 weeks old should be laying eggs in the next 4-6 weeks

 

[Lots A Cluckin]

and dont forget to feed her and give her plenty of fresh cool water.

 

[SunnyAlberta]

You could try posting on Freecycle to see if anyone has chicken feed they could give you to get you by. You'll find that if you can pull young weeds and offer scrambled eggs, meat scraps, cat or dog food, bread, brown rice, oatmeal, veggie scraps, berries, etc that you'll do fine for a few days. Your goal is about 19% protein for her age. I agree she is a Barred Plymouth Rock and not quite laying age. I have one who just started to lay last week. Can you give her a box on its side to huddle in and for shade? For bedding, if you can't get straw or hay immediately, try using shredded paper from the machine at work. Enjoy!

 

[texastexas]

Thank you so much, everybody! Camilla (named after a famous chicken, do you know?) is set up for the night in the dog kennel with a little bit of cat food and some water. She should be dry and warm for the night. I plan to build a functional but perhaps not pretty coop tomorrow out of some discarded pallets & plywood from work. I plan to, more or less, follow this plan: https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/1-day-duck-coop-from-recycled-materials which I found on this site. I'll also be looking for proper chicken feed and another hen! I have an egg-farmer contact from my previous job. I think I'll call him!

I want to say thank you again because this forum has been incredibly helpful and welcoming! Keep the good advice and guidance coming, by all means!

 

[real_redhead]

Very neat story! Good luck with Camilla and I hope you can find her a friend or 2!