I have what i call 3 Urban Chickens, as they live in my backyard in a housing development.
The flock is comprise of 1 Sussex and 2 Barred Rock, the Sussex is about a year older than the Rocks, my youngest son got me started with 2 Sussex, but one got very sick and died, I blamed the pest guy, they were supposed too be understanding of nature and to not just apply, we also saw a significant decrease in the number of butterfly chrysalis on the property. Anyway, we stopped using their service and don't use anything.
We average at least 2 eggs a day, but it is not uncommon to get 3.
I use a chicken tractor for the 3 birds that we can move around so they always have fresh grass, clover, and chickweed to forage on, I let them out each night about 6:30 during the summer and they stay out until about 8 and put themselves in the tractor as it gets dark. I keep a casual eye on them while they are out, they are hawk aware and will hide and not move until the hawk leaves.
I made the tractor, which is my second. Still have the first, I am planning on reworking it for 2 younger birds as it is smaller, this will enable me to get the flocks used to each other and maintain egg production as my other flock ages.
I clean their roost area about every two weeks and place the hay and their droppings along with alot of other green food refuse in a compost bin for next year's garden fertilizer.
I change their water completely about every 2 days. I am constructing an automatic waterer that my oldest son designed and uses on his tractor, he keeps 3 birds also at his house.
I moved the feeder because the feed got wet from the rain.
I have learned much and I am still learning any questions just ask and I can tell you what I did.
Cheers
Dan
The flock is comprise of 1 Sussex and 2 Barred Rock, the Sussex is about a year older than the Rocks, my youngest son got me started with 2 Sussex, but one got very sick and died, I blamed the pest guy, they were supposed too be understanding of nature and to not just apply, we also saw a significant decrease in the number of butterfly chrysalis on the property. Anyway, we stopped using their service and don't use anything.
We average at least 2 eggs a day, but it is not uncommon to get 3.
I use a chicken tractor for the 3 birds that we can move around so they always have fresh grass, clover, and chickweed to forage on, I let them out each night about 6:30 during the summer and they stay out until about 8 and put themselves in the tractor as it gets dark. I keep a casual eye on them while they are out, they are hawk aware and will hide and not move until the hawk leaves.
I made the tractor, which is my second. Still have the first, I am planning on reworking it for 2 younger birds as it is smaller, this will enable me to get the flocks used to each other and maintain egg production as my other flock ages.
I clean their roost area about every two weeks and place the hay and their droppings along with alot of other green food refuse in a compost bin for next year's garden fertilizer.
I change their water completely about every 2 days. I am constructing an automatic waterer that my oldest son designed and uses on his tractor, he keeps 3 birds also at his house.
I moved the feeder because the feed got wet from the rain.
I have learned much and I am still learning any questions just ask and I can tell you what I did.
Cheers
Dan
