Found my first chicken. What is he?

[mama24]

There's nothing wrong with keeping her in a coop or even in the house as long as she has a run and access to some grass every day (even in bad weather!) Chickens eat a lot of grass if they have the choice, and they need lots of outdoor time and sunshine. They can live quite well off of just chicken feed and whatever bugs come their way, but grass and veggie scraps from your kitchen will make them even healthier.

I have my larger chickens completely free range in my backyard. I live in the city. I think some people posting on this thread are confused about what most people mean by free range. Free range doesn't mean you let them go anywhere, it mean they are in a very large space when they can really spread out and forage. Not everybody does that, and that's fine. My chickens enjoy searching out food in the yard to much for me to keep them in a tiny coop and run, I would feel bad since I have no reason not to let them have full access to the entire fenced in yard. But most people do keep them in a smaller run, and they're fine, whatever works for you! I do keep all of my bantams in a small coop and run, but mainly for their own safety. Keeping them safe trumps their desire to run and fly around. My kids let them out sometimes by accident, but my bigger chickens are mean to them.

 

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I am located in Brooklyn, NY. I am away from the house 12 hours a day so cannot let her out very often. She will only be allowed out when she's larger and I'm home in the yard with her. She gets a bowl of mixed vegetables every morning and treats of crickets or worms.

What breed of companion chicken would be good for her? I really had my heart set on an australorp. Would she get along with one of them? Providence sent me her. Now to figure out where to get another one!!

Kathy & Nellie

 

[Nicole01]

The breed doesn't matter, but you may have a problem integrating them right away. If you can, separate a wire, so they can see each other side by side for a couple days if they peck each other when first meeting. It's best to find a chick around the same age. You will run into huge problems if you buy a small chick. You also might want to pick up a bag of feed. Usually people start with medicated or non medicated chick grower until they lay an egg, then switch to a layer feed. They should have access to food 24/7 and you would be surprised how much they eat.

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Becareful researching breeds! I did this and this is how I ended up with 8 chickens. I had my heart set on each one and I still want more.

 

[mama24]

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I am located in Brooklyn, NY. I am away from the house 12 hours a day so cannot let her out very often. She will only be allowed out when she's larger and I'm home in the yard with her. She gets a bowl of mixed vegetables every morning and treats of crickets or worms.

What breed of companion chicken would be good for her? I really had my heart set on an australorp. Would she get along with one of them? Providence sent me her. Now to figure out where to get another one!!

Kathy & Nellie

I would build her a small enclosure to leave her out in all day then. Just make sure she has some shade and plenty of water.​

 

[scratch'n'peck]

I think Nellie was pretty lucky to find you. I took a look at the link for the coop you were considering, and i think Nellie and one other chicken would do fine in there even if you spend long days away. It looks like the coop is light enough if you want to move it occasionally to fresh ground. Even two chickens can scratch up the grass in that run area, given time in one spot. Of course it would still be a treat for them to forage around the yard for a while when you are home to supervise. Generally chickens like to stay with sight of their coop, and will only leave the area if they are chased off.

It would be helpful to find her a friend who is about the same size. Australorp is supposed to be a pretty friendly breed, but there are lots of friendly breeds to choose from. Feed stores would mostly have younger chicks. I wonder if any of the shelters in New York City area have chickens; at least that would only take calling around. Of course you could also post in the wanted section of this forum. If you only want a hen, read up on telling the difference between roosters and hens at around 6 or 7 weeks old. At that age you can start seeing the rooster signs like redder and slightly larger comb. You have the benefit of introducing them to the coop at the same time, which can help ease the introduction because neither hen will have established it as their territory.

Also, chickens are surprisingly cold hardy especially the larger breeds. You may not need much or any insulation particularly if the coop site is fairly protected from the wind. My chickens dislike the heat and humidity much more than the cold.

 

[ailurophile23]

You might want to check with the vet you took Nellie to - I believe you said the vet was involved with chicken rescue? The vet might know of another chicken of about the right size/age who is in need of a home. As others have said, just be careful - one rescue leads to another...and another....

 

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http://s265.photobucket.com/albums/ii204/Scylla_photos/

I've decided that being out of the house for 12 hours a day, I won't have the time to care for her as I would like. I've been trying to place her and found one place that will take her if she's a female. They cannot take roosters. I've sent them more pictures and they think she's a rooster. If she's a rooster then I don't even have the option of keeping her, as roos are not legal in the city. Can I ask you to look at the newer pictures (mostly of her feet as they requested) and give me your opinions again?

 

[equinelyn]

Gosh every time I look at your pictures I get to your tarantella and I'm like BAHHHHHHHH!!!!

lol

The comb looks yellow. Maybe you could put a craigslist ad about a lost chicken? Maybe the people are looking for it. They just have to describe it so you know they really lost it.

 

[scratch'n'peck]

Hmm... Maybe I don't know as much about chickens as I thought I did. I'm not sure how the feet or legs are used for identifying gender. Some hens have spur bumps, so I don't think that determines gender. It just seems like her comb would be redder if she were a he, but its been a while since my chickens were that age.

I guess it is good that you rehome her before you get too attached. Chickens don't necessarily take more care than your parrot, but I guess if she were kept outside she would be asleep by the time you got home for half the year.

 

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I've been reading about sexing chickens. I read that rooster chicks will develop a small pimple like bump on the leg just above their toes where the spurs will develop. Do hens have that pimple too, and just not develop them? I checked Nellie this morning and there are pimples on her legs just about 1/4 inch above her feet. If my information is correct, I have a rooster.

Kathy