My name is Marsha but you can call me Figgy, Before I moved to Idaho from Calaveras County CA I had a mixed flock of various range chickens and as many here know they cluck and scratch their way deep into your heart and never leave even if the birds are no longer physically present. Late last summer, much to my surprise, a very tired, skinny bare necked and poorly feathered hen jumped/flew over my 6 ft fence (I live well within city limits) and squatted down panting. My two old dogs were curious but not aggressive and the hen allowed herself to be gently herded to the 10 x 12 kennel. I got her water and some of the wild bird seed we have on hand and she began her life of pampering she enjoys now...I still get a jumbo brown egg a day and even with this severe winter we had she had an insulated nest, fresh chopped greens and herbal water, she only took 3 weeks off of laying! We do NOT feed layer crumble, just a good pellet and quality scratch. I have not filed with the city for a permit for her (RED TAPE GALORE!!!) and many of my neighbors are also illegal poultry stewards..I think someone just turned out a flock in the canyon and they found homes throughout the 'hood'. I want to be able to let her free range and help out in the yard detail as we have a HUGE garden each year and was contemplating trying to make a 'chicken tractor' but want to have the water attached to the structure. QUESTION: can chicken learn to drink from a tube feed waterer? then I could hang it from the wire side and roll the thing like a wheel barrow to where she was safe, happy and away from prying eyes. <grins>
Welcome to BYC! It's great to have you. Glad to hear she's in good hands. Not sure what you mean by a "tube feed water." Do you mean like a PVC or nipple waterer? Chickens may balk at unusual waterer designs at first but many can be trained into it without much fuss.
G’Day from down under Figgy Welcome! I hope you enjoy being a BYC member. There are lots of friendly and very helpful folks here so not only is it overflowing with useful information it is also a great place to make friends and have some fun. You might want to also pop in and say hello on your local thread: https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/26/where-am-i-where-are-you ‘Find your State’s thread. If you would like to share pictures and stories of your flock, you have come to the right place. BYC’ers never tire of these and do not back away slowly or commence eye rolling when the photo album or home videos come out
Hey I am just moving to twin falls and wondering about the red tape you speak of? I can't find any info yet but will live in city limits.
