New member questions/introduction

[Mrs Grant]

Hello!!
I'm new here.
So far I like this page.
This is my 2nd time hatching eggs from an incubator and the very first time one was attacked by a hawk... my Baby passed away 2 days after the attack...last night. I thought she/he was going to make it. Now I'm scared to put my others outside. They are happier out, but I don't want to have another one hurt. I was doing a little bit at a time not leaving them out all day, no longer then 10 mins on warm/hot days. They were born May 1st.
I have a friend who will give us a house to put them in, when they get home. =)

I guess I'm looking for advice on several things.
1, can they eat milk thistle?
2, how much room do they need? I know they can't free range because the hawk is closely watching my place.
3,The house needs a little bit of help, what kinda paint won't effect them as bad? If anything.
4, what's the best food or homemade food for them?

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.

 

[hysop]

Welcome to BYC! Sorry for your loss. I recently lost a rooster to a hawk attack (I assume). Thought he was going to make it since chickens are so resilient, but the next morning my husband found him lifeless

I only have an answer to question #2. Since they won’t be free ranging I’d give them 10sqft per chicken (or as much as you can but no less than that I would say). I have a large yard so I give mine 60+ sqft per chicken.

 

[rjohns39]

Hi and welcome to BYC We're so happy you've decided to join us

I'll take a shot at your questions

1. As a general rule they'll choose to eat only plants that they can tolerate. That doesn't hold true for insulation, nuts and bolts or other non-plant things.
2. I like 5 sf or more per bird excluding nest boxes, at least 1ft of roost per bird and 10+ sq ft in the run per bird. Also at least 1sq ft of ventilation per bird in the coop
3. I'll defer to others but would think a latex based paint would be best
4. At this stage of development they should be on a formulated chick starter between 19 and 22% protein. I make sure mine have chick grit from day one but its not critical if they are eating a pelleted feed. If you have boys and girls you might want to transition to an all flock with oyster shell on the side once the girls start laying. Many will transition them to layer at that time instead of the all flock. The boys don't need the higher level of calcium that is in the layer feed.

 

[Mrs Grant]

I want to let the

Welcome to BYC! Sorry for your loss. I recently lost a rooster to a hawk attack (I assume). Thought he was going to make it since chickens are so resilient, but the next morning my husband found him lifeless

I only have an answer to question #2. Since they won’t be free ranging I’d give them 10sqft per chicken (or as much as you can but no less than that I would say). I have a large yard so I give mine 60+ sqft per chicken.

Thank you!!

I want to let them free range they will be happier but the
hawk is closely watching daily.. I'm scared to even adventure outside myself. I read they will attack humans and other things.
Let me see if I can find a picture of the hawk.

Ok, thank you for your help. =)
We have a big yard, some of it it taken up by the septic tank..

 

[Mrs Grant]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.

Thank you

 

[swampfox440]

Welcome to BYC ! great to have you here .

 

[hysop]

I want to let the

Thank you!!

I want to let them free range they will be happier but the
hawk is closely watching daily.. I'm scared to even adventure outside myself. I read they will attack humans and other things.
Let me see if I can find a picture of the hawk.

Ok, thank you for your help. =)
We have a big yard, some of it it taken up by the septic tank..

Mine used to free range and actually did rather well. I don’t think I lost any to a hawk (probably bec. But I got a puppy one year and she killed the roosters one by one. I had a rooster flock.

She’s over a year now, and I have taught her better. But I still keep my hens penned up. But my three roosters free range and she doesn’t bother them.

I’m sure eventually you’ll be able to let yours free range at least for a few hours. But do give the hawk time to go away after it sees it won’t be getting a free lunch from your chickies!

 

[Mrs Grant]

Welcome to BYC! Sorry for your loss. I recently lost a rooster to a hawk attack (I assume). Thought he was going to make it since chickens are so resilient, but the next morning my husband found him lifeless

I only have an answer to question #2. Since they won’t be free ranging I’d give them 10sqft per chicken (or as much as you can but no less than that I would say). I have a large yard so I give mine 60+ sqft per chicken.

 

[Grammy60]

Hello and welcome to BYC We are happy you have joined us