my grandson wants chickens!

[jennith]

Help! I joined this site so y'all could tell me what I need to know. My four-year-old grandson wants two chickens, to be named Moon and Star. These would be pet chickens, not anyone's dinner, and we have recently moved to the country (Franklin County, NC), so we won't be violating any zoning laws.

The chickens he is describing sound like Japanese silkies, if that's the correct name (very fluffy, white, hairy-looking chickens). Where can I buy them? How much will they probably cost? How do I keep them from wandering into the road or the woods? How do I keep other critters from eating them? (They are NOT coming into the house!)

Do I need a chicken book? If so, could you please recommend a good one?

Thanks!

 

[Napalongtail]

Why don't you post in the buy sell trade section. Yes it does sound like he wants silkies. Stories guide to chickens is a great first resource book. You will find simple plans on how to build safe comfortable housing for your new pets.

 

[jennith]

Thanks!

 

[robin416]

Silkies don't make the best yard birds in the world. They will need a secure place to stay at night and sometimes during the day because of hawks, coyotes, dogs and other creatures. Silkies can not fly so can not fly away from a predator. They remain small since they are bantams so can fall prey to just about anything that is the same size as they are, cats included.

I have coop full and enjoy the heck out of them. Check to see if there is a Yahoo poultry group for your area or county, many times there are birds available through members on those boards.

Not bringing them in to the house has been said by most of those on the board and most have retracted that statement. Sometimes its necessary for a sick or injured bird if you want to be able to keep close watch on signs, symptoms and their progress.

Welcome to the world of chickens and just so you know that two will mulitply, just ask anyone of us who built coops to accomodate X number of birds and now in the process of expanding. Its an addiction.

 

[65browneyes]

Quote:
I can attest to that!! Good luck to you, your grandson and your new " babies".

 

[bigzio]

Jennith, you can go on the home page here and click on the learning centers there for a good start to learn about chickens for free.

bigzio

 

[Barnyard Dawg]

You may need to get three, you forgot the Sun.
Sun, Moon and Star.

 

[robin416]

See, you don't even have them yet and now they've gone from two to three.

 

[jennith]

Wow, yes, we're on our way to a whole flock! Thanks to everyone for the welcome and all the good suggestions. I see this is going to be quite a task. Better start my chicken education right away!