Hello!!! Please answer my questions!!:)

[Kristi2chickens]

Hello!!! My "name" is Kristi(I use the name Kristi as an online name)!!! I've been doing lots of research and I would really like to get chickens!!! I would get them for pets and eggs. I may or may not be moving. At the house I currently live at there are A LOT of plants. I'm not really sure what all of them are... My landlord planted them. Would it still be safe to have chickens at my current home??? At the place where I may or may not move into there is a crabby neighbor that might not like the idea of chickens... How would I convince her that they would be not a problem at all??? Also, the landlord that I have may or may not go for the idea of having chickens. How do I let the landlord and the neighbors know that chickens wouldn't be a problem at all??? I already know which coop and brooder I would have and make. What is the best chick starter feed I can get??? Can I feed chicks "human" food right away??? How much feed and human food do I give adult chickens a day??? I live in a place where it gets very cold in the winter. What kind of chickens should I get??? Also, how do I keep them warm if I can't get electricity in the coop??? Should I insulate the coop??? What is the best adult chicken feed I can get??? When are the chickens adults??? How do I tell if they are male or female??? Should I get one type of chicken or several??? Should I get a book on chickens??? If so, which book??? Thank you so much!!! I will probably have more questions later... Lol!!!

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!

 

[Kristi2chickens]

Thanks!!!

 

[BantamLover21]

I'm glad you joined our "flock!"

 

[crb1487]

HELLO! Welcome! I'm sure glad you've given this allot of thought because these sweeties wouldn't deserve to be bought on a whim.

These are all good questions & concerns however the 2 biggest issues I see are if you stay where you are
you're not sure what plants you have & if they are safe to poultry & if you move, your new neighbor may cause
problems... I would not in this case if there were ANY chance of harm from this neighbor or if you're a renter if it could cause the landlord to make you get rid of them.
The other issue would depend on how you're raising & feeding them because most times a chicken will avoid a poisonous plant unless however hungry enough it won't care.

Edited by Staff

 

[Wyandottes7]

Welcome to BYC!

I'm glad you joined us.

I can't answer all of your questions, but I'll try to answer most of them.

Would it still be safe to have chickens at my current home???
It depends what types of plants they are. There are some poisonous plants that can be dangerous to chickens. However, in general chickens know what to eat and what to avoid. Unless they are starving, they usually stick with food that is safe for them.
At the place where I may or may not move into there is a crabby neighbor that might not like the idea of chickens... How would I convince her that they would be not a problem at all???
You'll have to give her information and answers to questions. There are several myths about chickens that people who don't know much about chickens usually are afraid of. For example, "Chickens will smell", "Chickens are noisy", etc. You'll have to think of good answers to those concerns. Here are some ideas:
"Chickens will smell": Chickens are no smellier than other animals, with proper cleaning. Explain that a properly cleaned coop will not smell much. Keep the manure pile a distance away from your neighbor, and you shouldn't have any problems. Manure management is essential, just like with all animals.
"Chickens are noisy": Chickens are no noisier than other animals. Most neighborhoods already have barking dogs, cats, etc.Chickens usually make quiet, rather pleasing sounds. They will be noisy after laying their eggs, but this is only once a day and only lasts for maybe 5 minutes. Roosters of course would be a problem, but you don't need a rooster unless you want fertile eggs. Hens make much less noise.
"Chickens will attract mice and rodents": There should be no problems with rodents if you keep the feed in correct containers. Keep feeders off the ground and keep extra feed in metal garbage cans or other mouse-resistant containers. Sweep up any spilled feed. Chickens do not attract rodents; only the feed does.
"Chickens are a health hazard to humans": There are very few chicken-to-human transmissible diseases. Keep the coop clean, clean up any manure, wash your hands after handling the birds, keep equipment sanitized and clean, and you shouldn't have any problems. Avian Influenza is a very rare disease that you are probably more likely to catch from wild sparrows than from chickens. Salmonella can be prevented by cooking food and eggs thoroughly and washing your hands.
Also, the landlord that I have may or may not go for the idea of having chickens. How do I let the landlord and the neighbors know that chickens wouldn't be a problem at all???
What is the best chick starter feed I can get??? Most brands of starter feed work equally well. Nutrena is a well known brand, but there are several others. Just make sure that they contain the correct amount of protein (about 20%). Be sure that it isn't layer feed, because that has too much calcium.
Can I feed chicks "human" food right away???
I don't suggest feeding chicks human food right away. However, by the time they are a couple of weeks old, you can definitely start introducing treats. Start slow, and introduce just a couple foods at a time. Keep in mind that you will have to provide grit (tiny stones/pieces of sand) if they are eating anything other than chick starter feed. Never feed any moldy food.
How much feed and human food do I give adult chickens a day???
Usually, it is best to free-feed chickens as much as they want to eat each day. Human food should be limitied to less than 10% of the diet. Otherwise, they will fill up on the treats and not eat enough of their nutritionally balanced chicken feed.
I live in a place where it gets very cold in the winter. What kind of chickens should I get???
There are many breeds to choose from. Some very cold hardy breeds include Wyandottes, Chanteclers, Buckeyes, Easter Eggers, Ameraucanas, and Brahmas. Others that aren't quite as cold hardy (but still do fine) include Orpingtons, Australorps, Sex-Links, Rhode Island Reds, and Plymouth Rocks. Stay away from the "Mediteranean" class breeds, such as Leghorns, Minorcas, Catalanas, White Faced Black Spanish, and Andalusians. Those breeds have large combs that are susceptible to frostbite.
Also, how do I keep them warm if I can't get electricity in the coop???
As long as the coop is draft free, chickens do fine even in very cold weather. Provide plenty of bedding on the coop's floor to prevent cold air from seeping in. Make sure that they can get out of the wind. If you choose cold hardy breeds, you shouldn't have any problems.
Should I insulate the coop???
I suggest insulating it. It will keep it warmer in winter (and cut down on wind/drafts), as well as keep it cooler in the summer. It doesn't need to be extensive.
What is the best adult chicken feed I can get???
Like with chick feeds, I don't believe that there is a definite "best" adult chicken feed. Different brands work equally well, in my experience. Make sure that it has the correct nutrients, however. Laying hens should be fed laying feed, with around 3% calcium. The main ingredients in chicken feed should be corn or soybean meal. Pick the feed that works best for your budget, is easiest to find, and provides the basic nutrients neccesary.
When are the chickens adults???
Chickens are usually sexually mature around 5 months old. Some do mature sooner, and others mature later. Roosters tend to begin mounting the females as early as 4 months (6 months is more common).
How do I tell if they are male or female???
There are several methods of sexing chickens. When they are a couple of days old, experts can "vent sex" them, but that technique is very difficult. Some breeds are sex-linked, which means that females are a different color than the males, so you can tell at a day old. With most breeds, it is easier to tell when they are older. Cockerels tend to develop a redder, larger comb by 6 weeks old, while pullets usually have only a small, pale one. Cockerels may begin crowing as early as 6 weeks old, too (but 5 months or so is more common). When the males are around 4 months old, you can also see pointy neck feathers and saddle feathers (long feathers near the tail). Sickle feathers (long tail feathers) will develop as the cockerels age. Pullets, or female chickens, always have rounded neck feathers and don't get the sickle feathers or saddle feathers. Roosters usually develop spurs (horny protrusions from the legs) by the time they are 5 months old or so, though the spurs continue to grow throughout their life. Hens rarely get spurs and only ever develop small bumps where the spurs would have grown if they had been cockerels. Females usually begin laying around 5-7 months old.
Should I get one type of chicken or several???
I recommend getting several.

A varied flock can be very pleasing to look at. Plus, you get a wide variety of eggs. By exposing yourself to various breeds, you can develop favorites, and then get more of the ones that you like best.
Should I get a book on chickens???
Books are very helpful, though you can find lots of information online. Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens by Gail Damerow is a good book. There is also a Chickens for Dummies book and The Chicken Health Handbook. Both are very good.

I suggest taking a look at the Learning Center for lots of other good information: Learning Center Articles

In particular, check out these links:

How To Raise Backyard Chickens In Your City - The Basics Of Raising Chickens
How much does it cost to raise backyard chickens?
The Pros and Cons of Raising Chickens

 

[drumstick diva]

There is really no way you can persuade a landlord to allow chickens if they are dead set against it. We cannot tell you what plants are toxic there . The best thing would be to confine chickens in a safe, secure, roomy coop and outdoor run to protect them against dangers that would befall them. AS to food, they will do best on the commercials feeds adjusted for chickens at various stages of their life., for instance chick starter, layer feed for birds laying eggs, and so on.

There is a great deal of information available at this site. The various forums cover just about everything you need to know.

 

[Kristi2chickens]

I'm glad you joined our "flock!"

Thank you!!!

 

[Kristi2chickens]

Thank you so much!!!! I will ask my landlord if she knows of any poisonous plants in the yard.


Edited by Staff

 

[Kristi2chickens]

Welcome to BYC!

I'm glad you joined us.

I can't answer all of your questions, but I'll try to answer most of them.

I suggest taking a look at the Learning Center for lots of other good information: Learning Center Articles

In particular, check out these links:

How To Raise Backyard Chickens In Your City - The Basics Of Raising Chickens
How much does it cost to raise backyard chickens?
The Pros and Cons of Raising Chickens

Okay, thank you so much for all your information!!!! I found it very helpful!!!