New to raising chickens

[farmgirl68]

A few chicken questions.

1. For free ranging chickens....

I am planning to build a huge penned area for my flock of about 8 to free range in. Due to predators (my dog, owls, birds etc), I'm considering build a dome style top to the pen. I am considering making the top 6 feet high.

Is this high enough for chickens with unclipped wings?


2. My driveway and walk areas have gravel mixed with sand and seashells, would this be good for the chickens to free range in?


3. Can chickens free range in a compost pile?


4. Dumb question: What do chickens eat? I'm looking to friend them from things I can get off my land, and possible flax seed, oats, wheat, hay etc?


Finally any advice for a newbie would be great.

Thanks,
Wendy

 

[faykokoWV]

welcome to the forum. Hopefully some of the more experience people will chime in and give you some answers.

 

[NancyP]

Get the book "Storey's guide to raising chickens it will answer all these questions and much more. Good luck to you
Nancy

 

[damselfish]

If you put a top on your pen, don't forget to think about access height. You don't want to be all hunched over cleaning the pen, changing food and water, etc. If it has a top, not sure what your question was about the unclipped wings...

Chickens can free range on grass, gravel, whatever, but of course grass and greenery is nicer and will supplement their diet more.

Unless you have a great deal of food to offer them including appropriate protein levels you will most likely want to feed them chicken feed and let free range be a supplement.

Our chickens run all over our compost pile & help turn it.

 

[Uppity Peon]

If they are in a large pen I think the term "pasture fed" is more accurate than "free-range". Pasture fed chickens eat a lot of grass, dandelions and other plants and berries, etc, and what they love most is bugs! They are very carnivourous omnivores.

They love scrathching in a compost pile, mostly for worms and bugs, but seeds are always nice too.

I think they should also be able to take their fill of whatever commercial chicken feed is appropriate for their stage in life. They will be exposed to avian diseases so chick feed containing amprolin is a good idea for the first 18 weeks or so.

I have a 12' x 45' run with arches made of pvc pipe supporting inexpensive deer netting. It would not stop a determined predator like a raccoon, but I think it is enough to discourage a hawk attack. It is adorned with a bunch of old CDs to make wild reflections.

But now that they are older I have been letting them out of that area as well. They prefer the shady areas in my yard and the run is pretty exposed in midday. I hope the hawks don't take advantage. Another thing I have going for me is that whenever a bird of prey is around hundreds of wild birds erupt from the blackberry thicket to chase it away.

Chickens can use the gravel, sand and shells as grit for their digestive system. That is essential for chickens that eat tough seeds and grass. Just make sure there are no automotive fluids they could get into in the driveway.

I am in my first season of chicken ranching so take my advice as that of a rank amateur who hangs out on BYC a lot.

 

[farmgirl68]

Thanks for the advice.

I am building a huge pen area, because of my dog and area predators, I'm adding a dome top. The pen is 6 feet high, so I think it should be ok. It still gives them room to fly.


What is a suggested diet for chickens that are laying age?