Just starting my first backyard flock. I had thought about this in the past because some friends of mine had chickens raised from a day old and it seemed neat, but finally got to it when my kids started with the puppy eyes asking to bring home chicks from the Shopper Suply a month ago. So after a month now my Production Reds are starting to get their big girl feathers and are just about ready for the backyard run. Few questions.... I have used weed and feed on the lawn a while back. Will this harm them? Can I continue to use this? I made a very light weight run so it can be moved easily if needed. How far does it need to from a neighbors home? I have heard different answers to the following... How many hens can I have where I live? Some have said up to 10! Some have said Zero because I am on less than a quarter acre. I couldnt find anything on the city website so I figured a nice round number of 6 would be a good starting point. Anyways, hello once again and I look forward to any info you folks can provide!
If you go to "where am I, where are you," in the social forum, you can locate and post on your state thread. People there would know more about the zoning restrictions. If you take a chance and go ahead please have a plan B. In case the town or community says you have to get rid of your birds fast.
Hello and Welcome To BYC! X2, zoning regulations vary widely, you'll need to find the specifics in your area, your town or city hall should have them. With the weed and feed type things, would definitely not use the granular type with birds since they will eat them, opinions seem to vary on the supposedly animal safe sprays, at the very least would want there to be a good rain after using them before I let the birds back on.
Thanks for the warm welcomes! I will check out the other threads for local guidelines. I was using granular wred and feed before so maybe switch to a liquid and water heavily after. Maybe... My plan B is if I cannot keep these chickens is to add them to my friends flock. He only lives a mile down the road and will be more than happy to have them per a previous conversation. Thanks
THank you all again for the welcomes. I found myself a landscaper who also has chickens in a smaller yard and in a stricter hoa than mine. He has given me many ideas about how to make my yard kid, dog, and chicken friendly. All I can say is with all these ideas I am going to be busy every weekend for the next few months bringing them to realization.
