- Jun 1, 2012
- 14
- 1
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Hello, I'm Emily. I'm 17 and my family got 6 chickens. They're about 2 months old now, so they have a few months of growing to do. And they are beginning to trust me. (There's one that doesnt trust me at all... But I think it's a rooster, because it protects and herds the others. Not sure what we'll do with it.:/)
We are brand new to keeping chickens and would love some/any advice! I also have a few questions..
There are 3 different breeds, I can't remember them off the top of my head, but two are red, two are orange, and two are black. I was wondering if this could be unsafe? If we kept the possible rooster (black), would it breed with all of them or just the other black one?
They have an indoor coop and an outdoor pen, both are about the same size. We don't let them out of the pen unless we're watching them because of the fox and coyote and birds of prey near our house. I have seen turkey vultures and red tailed hawks and peregrine falcons in my backyard. My friend lost chickens to hawks, and we don't want to loose ours!
What are the benefits of having them free-range? How might we protect them from being eaten?
By the way I would never imagine eating my chickens, I see them as pets. I will protect them as best I can from my family, too.
Speaking of pets.. we have two cats who I have seen charging at the cage, scaring them. Does anybody here have experience with this, and what, if anything, should I do about it?
I personally have always wanted chickens, and my mom went along with it because she wants the eggs. My dad built the coop and pen, and I look after them every day with my sister. (Ya know, providing food and water, treats, petting them when they let me, scooping clumps of poop)
For treats, so far I've given them bread, lettuce, apple, strawberries, and blueberries. The blueberries are their favorite. They didn't like the strawberries much... Which stinks cause we grow our own. Wha other treats should I try?
The water used to be in their coop but is now in the outside pen (it was getting their bedding wet) and we don't usually let them out at night, but can chickens go all night without water?
Thank you for taking the time to read this, I look forward to some answers.
We are brand new to keeping chickens and would love some/any advice! I also have a few questions..
There are 3 different breeds, I can't remember them off the top of my head, but two are red, two are orange, and two are black. I was wondering if this could be unsafe? If we kept the possible rooster (black), would it breed with all of them or just the other black one?
They have an indoor coop and an outdoor pen, both are about the same size. We don't let them out of the pen unless we're watching them because of the fox and coyote and birds of prey near our house. I have seen turkey vultures and red tailed hawks and peregrine falcons in my backyard. My friend lost chickens to hawks, and we don't want to loose ours!
What are the benefits of having them free-range? How might we protect them from being eaten?
By the way I would never imagine eating my chickens, I see them as pets. I will protect them as best I can from my family, too.
Speaking of pets.. we have two cats who I have seen charging at the cage, scaring them. Does anybody here have experience with this, and what, if anything, should I do about it?
I personally have always wanted chickens, and my mom went along with it because she wants the eggs. My dad built the coop and pen, and I look after them every day with my sister. (Ya know, providing food and water, treats, petting them when they let me, scooping clumps of poop)
For treats, so far I've given them bread, lettuce, apple, strawberries, and blueberries. The blueberries are their favorite. They didn't like the strawberries much... Which stinks cause we grow our own. Wha other treats should I try?
The water used to be in their coop but is now in the outside pen (it was getting their bedding wet) and we don't usually let them out at night, but can chickens go all night without water?
Thank you for taking the time to read this, I look forward to some answers.
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from Ohio. So glad you joined. 
) we might dig up a chunk of dirt and let them pick at the worms, and throw in a bit of grass for them.
