My first run at raising chickens.

[holliewould]

Hi everybody. I've been lurking for a couple of months now and decided to join in on your fun with fowl. I'm new to chickens. I got 2 chicks a couple of months ago. Both are ladies. Both are RIR's. Both are very friendly. Anyway, I got these birds for eggs for my family. I just got so disgusted with these factory farms and figured this would be a fun, healthy alternative. My question is (hopefully I'm in the right forum) how big will these girls get? I'm planning on letting them free roam, but I have a couple of kitty cats. The largest being 8lbs. The chicks are too young yet, but when they are big enough, will they be bothered by the cats? Also, do you guys butcher your own chickens or take them to a specialist? Curious. Thanks for any help.

 

[Peeps]

It would be pretty hard for a house cat to hurt a grown chicken. I never heard of a cat going after grown chickens. Your RIR's will be about 8-10lbs.

I decided if I was going to raise chickens then I better be able to butcher them. I don't like doing it, but I butcher my own. Actually the worse part is catching them and killing them. The rest of it it not much different than cleaning a fish. If I can get my DH to catch & kill and I feather & clean, then it is much easier and faster. Having the butcher do it is expensive.

 

[chcknrs]

RIR's get fairly big, but you have to take into consideration your cat's hunting instincts. If they aren't interested in mice or birds you might be okay.

I have some birds I'm raising for meat and plan on doing the butchering myself. Some people don't care to do that, but I was raised with it, and we also butcher our deer and elk ourselves.

You will find you will want more chickens. Two RIR's will only give you, at most, two eggs a day. Besides, what if something happens to one of them? Then the other will be very lonely, so you really want to get at least 3 more!

I love my rhodies! They are the sweetest of all my birds.

 

[Becaco]

I have cats, two that like to stay outside during the day. One adopted us, and is used to hunting. But he has never bothered the chickens.

Now my border collie mix puppy is another matter. He likes to herd them back into their pen.

 

[Cheep Mama]

Welcome! Our cat is fine around the chickens, just watch them when they are little teeny chicks. I bet you will eventually have more than 2. They are addicting!

 

[holliewould]

Well, I'm in the Florida City area. Only takes a minute to get a new chicken anytime. And I am looking forward to more chickens. You bet yer butt I am. I just need to know I can raise them, then butcher them LOL. I mean, how rewarding rearing your own meat. I haven't eaten meat in two months. Everytime I look at the birds a recipe comes to mind heha. So 8-10lbs is a pretty good sized bird. When should I change their feed? They are still on chick starter.

 

[penelope77]

my cats don't bother the chickens either. my penelope cat used to get in the box with them when they were smaller. she'd smack a few and then lay down and let them hop around on her. i do have cats i wouldn't trust with chicks but once they are bigger it hasn't been a problem. my dogs are another issue.
i have butchered one so far and it wasn't too bad. i skinned it. i'll be plucking the others though. the only thing about it that i didn't like was the fact it was still warm.

 

[My Little Sister's Farm]

Welcome! I'm new to BYC but far from new to chicken rearing. I love it here, everyone is so supportive and funny!

 

[holliewould]

Well you at least just hatched. I'm still just an egg!