Hello ive got a lot of questions!

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79caroche

79caroche

Hatching
7 Years
Dec 19, 2012
5
0
7
Hello im new to this whole chicken raising thing and i was hoping you guys could give me the basics and some rules of thumb and answer some questions.
Do i need a rooster to get eggs from hens?
How old are hens before they lay etable eggs?
I live in michigan so will my chickens still lay eggs in the winter?
Will there coop stink if i keep it clean?
How many chickens would i need to make enough eggs for 2-4 people?
How many nesting areas do i need per chicken?
Is a veriety in food better or is just chicken feed better?
What should i keep in mind when biulding a coop?
Sorry for all the questions im just really exited to start this venture and get some eggs
 
79caroche said:
Hello im new to this whole chicken raising thing and i was hoping you guys could give me the basics and some rules of thumb and answer some questions.
Do i need a rooster to get eggs from hens? Nope
How old are hens before they lay etable eggs? About 24-27 weeks but can be more or less
I live in michigan so will my chickens still lay eggs in the winter? Don't live in Michagan so I can't help there!
Will there coop stink if i keep it clean? Nope
How many chickens would i need to make enough eggs for 2-4 people? Depends how your chickens laying habits are but probably 3 chickens would be good enough
How many nesting areas do i need per chicken? Its a 1:6 ratio so if you get six birds you'll need on nest
Is a veriety in food better or is just chicken feed better? Veriety helps to balance the chickens diet, so it is good to have many different foods on your chickens plate
What should i keep in mind when biulding a coop? That it is a chicken coop and it doesn't have to be perfect, lol
Sorry for all the questions im just really exited to start this venture and get some eggs
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Welcome to BYC!!
Rhodebar-Chickens-cut-out.jpg

Glad you joined us!!!


Hope that helps!!
 
1) No, you do not need a rooster for your hens to lay eggs.

2) Onset of laying varies from breed to breed. Approximately 24 weeks is average.

3) Daylength rather than temperature is a controlling factor in egg production.

4) Keep it clean and it will not stink.

5) Figure 4 to five eggs per hen per week. (That's on the low side for young birds of most breeds.)

6) Make several, and they will all still want the same nest. Just how they are.

7) Feed a complete poultry ration suited for their point in life: chick starter, grower, layer feed.

8) Make it big! You will want more and more chickens.

welcome-byc.gif
and enjoy your birds.
 
Thank you so much! Ive herd to make it bigger then i think i need because having chickens is addictive lol
 
Ya, its a good idea to make it pretty big so that you don't have to build a new one.
 
Last edited:
sourland said:
8) Make it big! You will want more and more chickens.

welcome-byc.gif
and enjoy your birds.
Click to expand...
Welcome to the BYC gang.

I just want to say ditto to # 8. Decide how big you want your coop and then make it bigger. Chicken math is insidious and insatiable. You will quickly run out of room if you go with your first size choice.

Love, Smart Red
 

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