I need help with a paper I am writing about backyard chickens!

[ChickenLeo]

I am writing a research paper about keeping backyard chickens and would like to ask a handful of you a few questions. My paper requires me to conduct at least one interview (which can be via email), but I think that I would like to get responses from multiple individuals, hopefully from around the country. When I think about keeping backyard chickens, I automatically think about the good people at BYC.com, where, prior to me losing my job, our home and consequently our flock, I was welcomed and morally supported by many good and more experienced chicken keepers than myself.
The paper that I am writing will advocate the keeping of backyard chickens and it is for a writing class at Linn-Benton Community College in Albany, OR.

If you can help me out, please copy and paste this into an email (so the information you provide is not viewable to the public, nor taking up BYC forum space) to [email protected] (that's my first and last name), fill in the questions and send it off. Other than your answers to the questions, the only personal information I am looking for is a first and last name, city and state. PLEASE DO NOT send me street names and addresses and please, no phone numbers!


1. First of all, how many chickens do you have, how long have you kept chickens and what breeds do you keep?

2. Did you purchase mature hens or start your flock from chicks in a brooder box?

3. Do you keep your chickens in an urban, suburban or rural setting and how does it work for you?

4. What are some of the benefits that you see in raising a backyard flock?

5. What has influenced your decision to keep chickens in your backyard (eg. the economy, rising cost of food, sustainable living, the desire for a hobby...etc.)?

6. Do you see a positive economic impact from the egg-production of the chickens you plan to keep?

7. How do you deal with the waste produced by your hens? Do you discard it or are you able to put it to use in other projects, such as flower or vegetable gardens?

8. What are your thoughts on the “noise” that chickens make, have you had to deal with upset neighbors and if so how have you handled it, whether it has been a positive or negative outcome?

9. Some of you may live more “out in the country”, what do you think about people keeping chickens in their backyards in a more suburban or urban setting?

10. And finally, what are some of the drawbacks and/or difficulties that you see or have had in starting, raising and keeping your flock?



I really do appreciate any time you spend helping me out with this and I wish you all the best with productive flocks and happy families.

Sincerely,
Brandon Leopard
Brownsville, Oregon

 

[BairleaFarm]

I dont have a problem posting it here and Id like to see other peoples answers.

David Cobb
Georgetown, KY


1. First of all, how many chickens do you have, how long have you kept chickens and what breeds do you keep?
Ive got about 60. Different breeds, im new and only had chickens a few months

2. Did you purchase mature hens or start your flock from chicks in a brooder box?
I started with chicks. Still by chicks when Im adding to the flock(most times)

3. Do you keep your chickens in an urban, suburban or rural setting and how does it work for you?
I live on 300 acres. No problems with neighbors around here. Works well for me.

4. What are some of the benefits that you see in raising a backyard flock?
Bug control, low maintenance pets, great food source

5. What has influenced your decision to keep chickens in your backyard (eg. the economy, rising cost of food, sustainable living, the desire for a hobby...etc.)?
sustainable living and a healthier food source

6. Do you see a positive economic impact from the egg-production of the chickens you plan to keep?
Not really. Sure i get free eggs but Ive got to by the feed. I also dont sell eggs. When they lay ill keep them for myself

7. How do you deal with the waste produced by your hens? Do you discard it or are you able to put it to use in other projects, such as flower or vegetable gardens?
Compost. I keep all waste for use in the garden

8. What are your thoughts on the “noise” that chickens make, have you had to deal with upset neighbors and if so how have you handled it, whether it has been a positive or negative outcome?
Nobody to complain around me. I personally love the sound of the roosters. 530 or 6 in the morning isnt enough to bother me.

9. Some of you may live more “out in the country”, what do you think about people keeping chickens in their backyards in a more suburban or urban setting?
I think its great as long as they keep odors down.

10. And finally, what are some of the drawbacks and/or difficulties that you see or have had in starting, raising and keeping your flock?
Honestly the only real issues ive had is keeping track of all my breeds. With time i will learn them but I still get confused from time to time.

 

[ChickenLeo]

David,

Thanks for the reply! I don't mind if people reply here either, I just wanted to give others an avenue to keep names off the site, if they wanted. But hey! if you all want to see each other's answers that works for me too!

Brandon

 

[Mrs. K]

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[ChickenLeo]

Mrs. K,


Thank you so much for the replies to my questions! I really appreciate it.

Brandon

 

[Whitney13]

Whitney Edwards
Malvern, AR

1. First of all, how many chickens do you have, how long have you kept chickens and what breeds do you keep?
Currently I have 4 chickens. I have two EE hens, one Sumatra hen, and one mutt rooster. I sold my other 9 Sumatra hens this morning. I am about to order 25 d'uccles for my new project. I have had chickens all my life at my grandparents house.

2. Did you purchase mature hens or start your flock from chicks in a brooder box?
I have raised all my chickens from 2-3 days old in a brooder box.

3. Do you keep your chickens in an urban, suburban or rural setting and how does it work for you?
I live in a rural setting but my chickens are still penned because of neighbors and predators (which they could both possibly be classified together).

4. What are some of the benefits that you see in raising a backyard flock?
They helped with my community outreach as I could give away about 3-4 dozen eggs a week to families who had fallen on hard times. They were also a very good source of entertainment.

5. What has influenced your decision to keep chickens in your backyard (eg. the economy, rising cost of food, sustainable living, the desire for a hobby...etc.)?
I mostly keep them as a hobby but the eggs are a great bonus.

6. Do you see a positive economic impact from the egg-production of the chickens you plan to keep?
Not at all unless you count the dollar I saved buying eggs every two weeks but I contributed that to the $12 I was spending every two weeks to feed them. What I couldn't eat I gave to others who needed food.

7. How do you deal with the waste produced by your hens? Do you discard it or are you able to put it to use in other projects, such as flower or vegetable gardens?
It works miracles in my garden.

8. What are your thoughts on the “noise” that chickens make, have you had to deal with upset neighbors and if so how have you handled it, whether it has been a positive or negative outcome?
I would like to ring my roosters neck some days as he is a constant crower, as in all day and all night. My hens on the other hand made some of the oddest noises I have ever heard a chicken make and that was one of the things that made them so entertaining. I have one neighbor who is allergic to chickens but after we built the pen that wasn't a problem anymore. I have another neighbor who likes to shoot any animal that walks into her yard but since they are in a pen they are safe. I had one close call when one escaped though. Also the same neighbor became very angry when I caught her dog trying to break into my pen and I yelled at it but when I explained , oh so nicely, that I had the right to kill it for endangering my livestock and if I ever caught it even looking at my chickens I would, she agreed to keep her dog in her yard. I just avoid the mean one and give the nice ones eggs and everyone is happy.

9. Some of you may live more “out in the country”, what do you think about people keeping chickens in their backyards in a more suburban or urban setting?
I think it is a great idea. I am planning on moving to a city to finish my degree in a couple of years and my chickens are most definitely coming with me.

10. And finally, what are some of the drawbacks and/or difficulties that you see or have had in starting, raising and keeping your flock?
Predators! I have spent $50 on baby chicks just to have a black snake get in the coop one night and eat all but one of them. I have a hawk that built her nest over my chicken house. I have had a fox who ate my favorite Rhode Island Red hen. I fortunately haven't had to deal with any raccoons or opossums yet.

 

[benjoycei]

1) I have had 6 hens for about a year and a half. 2 buff orpingtons, 2 rhode island reds, 1 barred rock, 1 black australorpe
2) I bought young birds (12 weeks old)
3) suburban - works just fine
4) stress relief, eggs, fertilizer
5) hobby, wanted eggs
6) not really
7) garden fertilizer
8) it's a nice noise, the neighbors like them
9) I live in a suburban area, I think chickens could be raised in any yard...not an apartment

10) Husband not a good chicken sitter - I have to get a pet sitter when I go out of town.
downside: track in poo sometimes, have to tend to them everyday- even in pouring rain & severe cold weather

 

[sheila3935]

1- I have 40 chickens. I have had them for 1 1/2 years. BR,RIR,NN,Cochins,D'Anvers,Silkies, Polish,WR,Welsummer,Austra white,Delaware,Speckled Sussex,BO mix and Princess that we dont know what she is.
2- Started with 2 2month old RIR since I have only got chicks.
3-Suburban
4- They are my pets that give me eggs. Plus the eggs taste so much better
5- As a protest to battery chickens. I didnt want to promote that kind of treatment to animals. And I always wanted chickens.
6- No
7- compost
8- I am lucky my neighbors love the sounds of my chickens and they are quiet at night.
9- N/A
10- The only difficulities I have is making sure someone can put them up at night If I have to work a late shift.
On a positive note I have learned alot from my chickens.

 

[Fritatta]

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[BarefootMom]

I don't mind either!

1. First of all, how many chickens do you have, how long have you kept chickens and what breeds do you keep? around 130 chickens all together

2. Did you purchase mature hens or start your flock from chicks in a brooder box? All of the above- Right now we have chicks hatching in the incubator, I have bought from hatcheries, chick days, classified ads (both chicks and hens already laying)

3. Do you keep your chickens in an urban, suburban or rural setting and how does it work for you? Rural- it works very well for me. I would never live in a city.

4. What are some of the benefits that you see in raising a backyard flock? Great experiances for my children, provides eggs and meat along with a bit of random income, and it allows you to make friends with other chicken people.

5. What has influenced your decision to keep chickens in your backyard (eg. the economy, rising cost of food, sustainable living, the desire for a hobby...etc.)? I like to be self-sufficent and I love chickens!

6. Do you see a positive economic impact from the egg-production of the chickens you plan to keep? Not really money wise, but positive as in knowing where your food comes from and helping the local farmer. I have regular customers that will not buy eggs other places and I rely on their money every week- even though it is not more than $10. My customers and I both enjoy knowing that the chickens that layed the eggs are happy and healthy. They are not mistreated in any way and get to free range all day long. I think if more peole kept chickens and used their own eggs it would eventually help the economy in ways undescribable. People that raise chickens get addicted (in most cases) to raising small animals. Soon they start in with rabbits and/goats etc. Before they know it they are providing their families and friends with fresh home raised products. It is a path that I wish more people would follow- that is a postitve impact on the economy--people being self suffient.

7. How do you deal with the waste produced by your hens? Do you discard it or are you able to put it to use in other projects, such as flower or vegetable gardens? we just put it in a pile in the field. We have enough manure from the other animals. We do put some on the gardens.

8. What are your thoughts on the “noise” that chickens make, have you had to deal with upset neighbors and if so how have you handled it, whether it has been a positive or negative outcome? They don't make much noise. Our neighbors about at least 1 mile away, and in the country a rooster's crow is expected.

9. Some of you may live more “out in the country”, what do you think about people keeping chickens in their backyards in a more suburban or urban setting? I live in the country- people in town should be able to keep as many backyard animals that they can afford to look after. I don't think we should all have to rely on the chain grocery stores to provide our food.

10. And finally, what are some of the drawbacks and/or difficulties that you see or have had in starting, raising and keeping your flock? The feed and hardware cloth is expensive. Every predator likes to eat chicken, so that is a pretty big issue. Dogs especially like to kill chickens, so strays can be hard to stop.

Erin DeHart
Half Way, Missouri