Well I am still gathering information before purchasing my first chickens in a couple of months, (I'm shooting for March) . I have a few more questions, I've ordered 5 regular sized cochins at the feed store. Is it better to buy baby chicks or half grown chickens? Is two nesting boxes enough for 5 hens? How do you tame the chickens to be handled. I have a 3.5 year old who is desperate to pet the chickens as soon as we get them! Thanks!
The older they are when you get them the less time you have to wait for eggs. The younger they are the easier they are to handle. The more you pick them up the tamer they will become. And finally that is enough nest boxes. Never hestitate to ask questions here; its a great place for information and an even better place to meet nice people. Welcome.
smart! smart! smart! knowing as much as possible before getting your chickens is the smartest thing you could do. Opa is right on all accounts especially the WELCOME!
Turn that child loose and let them pet those chickens! Just keep an eye on 'em and make sure they don't love them to death. Congratulations on your upcoming chicks, Cochins are a great first bird.
Those are EXCELLENT questions!!! I know you have to put a lot of time into handling to get them to get friendly and easy to catch. Though I did buy 2 older pullets around laying age who very rude as they've never been handled. After 2 weeks of holding them and giving them treats (and being pecked and bitten regularly) they stopped being so flighty. Now 4 months later I can pick them up and they make purring sounds! LOL Just remember if you get chicks, it could be 20+ weeks until they lay you eggs! Congrats, and I hope you find all the info you need and enjoy your birds... they are addicting!!!!!
I hear that the ratio, roughly, is 3 hens to one box. So I think you're good. If it were me, I'd get day old chicks to be able to socialize them more with humans and watch them grow. Of course, they won't be laying eggs for another 18-24 weeks, but you'll have too much fun with the little bggers to worry about waiting. However, if you'd like eggs soon after you purchace the hens, shoot for pullets. Just be aware, when chickens are grown, they may take longer to get used to people, not like the chicks who'll follow you around like 'Mommy'. When it comes to taming chickens, you can do a few things. I find it best to hold some corn out in your hands, where they can see it clearly, and try to call them over softly. Let them take some corn, and see you're not a threat. After a few days, they'll begin to warm up to you. Then you can begin to hold them properly. Don't, however, be surprised if they're a little freaked out. They still don't really know you. With chicks, it's a bit easier. Merely staying with them can form a bond quickly, as they don't see humans as threats. That's the best thing with chicks, they latch on quickly. You should let your kid get close to them with some food in the hand and feed the babies. Just be careful that the little guys don't know when they peck someone it hurts. They'll get better at it. Good luck!
