New Adventures in Poultry! :D

[islandgal]

Hello!

I've had chickens most of my life- a flock of 25, on ten acres, with a chicken coop as big as a condo. They slept inside at night and ranged free every day, with two roosters and our dogs for protection from coyotes, raccoons, hawks, and other predators. They got plenty of exercise being chased and coddled by two young kids and came running to the chicken song, which was always accompanied by candy corn. I loved it.

Now, I'm in the suburbs about to get my first house. Many of the neighbors have chickens, and while my yard isn't huge, I love the idea of having chickens again. I'm thinking a few hens in a chicken tractor. I don't want them to escape and get run over, but I figured I could let them free-range in the fenced yard while I'm outside. But, i've never had chickens on such a small scale before.

So, my question is: Are there special care requirements for backyard chickens? How is it different than raising a flock in the country? I don't think coyotes will be a problem, but are raccoons or rats or other predators an issue?

I'm going to try for a few hens of a quiet, calm, and friendly breeds (thinking dominique, buff orp, americaunas because i love them, and maybe a houdan if I can find them here!) where as at home I would go for a more active, flighty bird likely to get away from predators (though we've had many, and most do okay!).

I also have another crazy idea- I'd like to get a duck. They're supposed to be a lot of fun, if messy, and their eggs are more nutritious. So- what kind of duck might be good for a backyard, living with chickens? If I just get one, will it bond with the chickens, or do I need to get 2? I would get all the chicks and ducklings at once and raise them together. I believe they can eat the same layer feed, and I know to NOT get medicated starter (I probably wouldn't get that anyway!!). I'd put out a baby pool or tub for when they were ranging around the yard. Are there non-flying ducks, or do I have to clip wings? I don't like that idea, but would for their safety.


Okay, well that's plenty of questions for my "introduction". Thank you for your help, and I look forward to talking with you all!

~IslandGal~

 

[Lorien]

Welcome!
I have city chickens and city ducks. In my neighborhood we have racoons. We got a guardian dog. Maybe you can check with your neighbors and find out if they have predator problems.

I chose Muscovy ducks and they are the best birds! They don't quack and don't need that much swim time or water compared to other ducks. The males are to heavy to fly. I do clip one wing on the females just because I would hate for them to fly over the fence and get eaten my my neighbor's dogs. The other bonus is that we have very few flies and mosquitoes the Muscovies eat them all!

This is a great place for tons of info! Good luck!

Lorien

 

[redsoxs]

Greetings from Kansas, islandgirl, and

! Pleased you joined us! I think city chickens bring the same or maybe even more predator challenges than do country chickens - if for no other reason than you can deal with them in a more permanent way in the country if you get my drift. I now coyotes and foxes do a lot of grocery shopping in the cities and raccoons and possums are also quite at home there. A major predator you might have if your birds aren't behind a secure fence is dogs. So I'd make my chicken accommodations just as if not more predator proof as I would for country birds. Good luck to you!

 

[drumstick diva]

 

[islandgal]

Lorien: My birds will be in a sturdy chicken tractor about 4x7foot coop on top of 4x7foot run, and allowed to free range in the fenced yard only when I am home/able to surpervise.

Would a "large" class muscovy duck fit comfortably in that space, along with 2-3 chickens?? I have been avoided the large class because I didn't want to cramp them. After growing up with free-range birds, such a small space seems cruel.

Thanks redsoxs, good to know. We never "dealt permanantly" with critters as I was growing up- the crimes always happened when we were gone, and the culprit long hidden. Traps were a no-no with so many pets (chickens, dogs, cats, kids) wandering around. I will make sure that a sturdy fence is in place.

Have you heard of anyone having trouble with predators digging under a tractor? I think I will lock them in the upper part at night, but it's good to know.

 

[Lorien]

I am not sure if a male would fit. They are about the size of a goose. The females are the size of a chicken and would probably do nicely. If you only want eggs and not babies, you could regime or eat the drakes. .)

 

[Lorien]

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