Getting chickens

[jkdavis0507]

My husband and I are planning on getting some chickens in the next few weeks. He is going to build a movable chicken tractor, and is going to base it off of some models we've seen on BYC. We're only planning on having 3-4 hens, because we just want enough eggs so the we don't have to buy them at the store, and enough manure to fertilize our garden during the winter.

Before we actually take the leap, I just wanted to get everyone's opinion on what sort of time and financial commitment we're looking at. Aside from the cost of the coop and the actual birds, how much would you estimate we would have to "invest" each month? And, for this many birds, what sort of time commitment am I looking at? It will primarily be me taking care of them, accept for when we need to move the coop around - that will be my husband's job!

I can handle up to 30 minutes a day, but I don't want to commit to hours and hours each week. We're expecting our first child this fall, so if it's not an easy routine to get into and maintain it might affect if we move forward or not.

My family raised chickens when I was little, but my job only consisted of gathering eggs, feeding, and watering. As a 6-8 year old, it was a quick and easy process. But I'm sure my parents did other things with the upkeep of the chickens that I didn't necessarily see.

Thoughts? Advice? Should we take the plunge?

 

[newburt]

I work a full time job and I also run chicken tractors. I currently run 3 of them and am in the process of building 2 more. I feed laying pellets and chopped corn daily to my hens and just corn to my roosters. A 50 lb bag of pellets is about 16 dollars and the corn is about 12 and for 4 hens eating an average of 2 lbs of food a week this would last you about 12 weeks in theory LOL. Who knows if you will ration the same every day but 2 lbs per week per hen is what I base it on. Its really not that bad of an expense. My chickens have become the best hobby I have ever had and I enjoy caring for them. Now as for time, the more time that you are willing to give them the better. I like to take a little time every day just to examine and listen to my chickens to make sure I dont hear any respiratory problems or unusual noises or see any unusual behavior. this gets easier as you become more familiar with what usual behavior is for your chickens. Hope this helps and good luck!!!!

 

[newburt]

THis is a simple 4x8 design that I use.

 

[tadpole98]

30 minutes a day? more like 10...
- get up
- open door
- toss out feed
- make sure they have water (or do this at night. usually they only need a water refill once a week if its big enough)
- leave

night
- toss in feed
-count chooks
- close door (!!!!!!)
- leave

pretty easy and should only take a few

financially, not too much. If you dont have many hens all you will have to do is pay for feed, water, and electricity. 4 hens wont run through too much food, a 50 lbs bag should last a month (I think.. dont hold me to it!)


also, i forgot to add you will need to clean coop. depending on size of coop, climate and how much they get to free range, should be once a week or two.


- I know im not much help, but i hope this helps.

 

[jkdavis0507]

Thanks for the insight! Regarding electricity, how cold should it be before we use a heat lamp in the roost? We live in TN, so it's certainly a warm-ish climate. Since it's going to be a movable coop, we're still trying to figure out how to get electricity to the coop in the winter without moving it to and from our outdoor outlet every morning/night. Granted, we would only have to do this for a few months out of the year, but if could figure something else out, it might be worth it. Thanks!

 

[tadpole98]

Thanks for the insight! Regarding electricity, how cold should it be before we use a heat lamp in the roost? We live in TN, so it's certainly a warm-ish climate. Since it's going to be a movable coop, we're still trying to figure out how to get electricity to the coop in the winter without moving it to and from our outdoor outlet every morning/night. Granted, we would only have to do this for a few months out of the year, but if could figure something else out, it might be worth it. Thanks!

Never use a heat lamp. as long as your coop doesnt have any places the wind could come in, you will be okay. Always have ventilation though, during the summer be sure there is alot of air movement through the coop. winter, cover those holes up with tarps/windows that fit/ect..

you will need a light for the shorter daylight hours. hens will need 16 hours a day of light to lay.


hope this helps!

 

[tadpole98]

( The heat lamp also increases risk of fire

)

 

[newburt]

Once your chickens are fully feathered and weaned off of the heat lamp they no longer need heat. God provided them with their own heater just try to keep the wintertime wind draft off of them at bedtime. I live in the Deep South and our winters are mild so we really don't have to worry too much about this problem.