NH-Thinking about Chix for tick control - need advice

[sleddude]

Hello, I live in NH and recently took antibiodics for Lyme disease after a tick bite. Kids recently had ticks on them after playing outside. I don't want to use pesticides, so I thought of Chickens. I checked with the town hall, and they said its legal to have chickens.

Here are my goals and concerns. I would like the chickens to roam the yard in the day and eat ticks and other bugs, and the eggs would be a bonus. Our neighborhood is comprised of 1/2 to 3/4 acre lots. all lots are about 1/3 lawn, and the rest woods. The area around our neighborhood is very wooded, so predators are a reality.

Here are my questions:
1) How many Chickens do I need for tick control of my yard
2) How far will the chickens roam (i.e. is there any way to train them to stay close? no fences allowed in neighborhood)
3) Neighbors dog is a high strung Lab with invisible fencing. Will the Chickens learn to stay out of his area?
4) Daily care of animals is fine, however, occasionally we like to go away. how long can they be left unattended?
5) How much does it cost per bird for food. can they get enough nutrition from being free range during the day?
6) do the birds need to be trained to return to the coop, or is that a natural behavior?

I only plan on having them for during the months ticks are active, roughly April-November. How often should you harvest and replace the birds?

any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,

 

[1muttsfan]

Hi and welcome to BYC from northern Michigan

It is unlikely you will be able to 1. Keep chickens in an unfenced yard, especially when you are not there; 2. Keep them away from a dog that is not fenced in; or 3. Keep then safe from predators if left free-roaming unsupervised. If you expect eggs from them-they will have to be fed.

 

[Kevin565]

Hello, I live in NH and recently took antibiodics for Lyme disease after a tick bite. Kids recently had ticks on them after playing outside. I don't want to use pesticides, so I thought of Chickens. I checked with the town hall, and they said its legal to have chickens.

Here are my goals and concerns. I would like the chickens to roam the yard in the day and eat ticks and other bugs, and the eggs would be a bonus. Our neighborhood is comprised of 1/2 to 3/4 acre lots. all lots are about 1/3 lawn, and the rest woods. The area around our neighborhood is very wooded, so predators are a reality.

Here are my questions:
1) How many Chickens do I need for tick control of my yard

If you want tick control I'd vote guineas over chickens


2) How far will the chickens roam (i.e. is there any way to train them to stay close? no fences allowed in neighborhood)


Chickens like all poultry will roam if given the chance. I really would not advise any birds if your not allowed any type of fencing

3) Neighbors dog is a high strung Lab with invisible fencing. Will the Chickens learn to stay out of his area?

They will most likely cross into his area and end up getting hurt

4) Daily care of animals is fine, however, occasionally we like to go away. how long can they be left unattended?

Some people leave out extra waterers and feeders but that won't last for an extremely long time.

5) How much does it cost per bird for food. can they get enough nutrition from being free range during the day?

On that small of lot they will probably tear up your yard quite quickly if left to only free range
6) do the birds need to be trained to return to the coop, or is that a natural behavior?

It requires training
I only plan on having them for during the months ticks are active, roughly April-November. How often should you harvest and replace the birds?

No clue on that

any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,

 

[sleddude]

I did not mean to imply that I would never attend to the birds. I am planning on daily care and supervision. I would be letting them out in the morning, and locking them up at night. I will be feeding them whatever is required and providing fresh water regularly. the neighbors dog is contained by an electric fence, but nothing that would stop the chickens from roaming into his area.

 

[Kevin565]

Invisible fencing really isn't nearly as reliable as people think. When a dog is paniced it can easily go past the fence without thinking about being zapped. I think a flighty hen could easily get it's attention enough for it to continue past the fence

 

[Kevin565]

Would your city allow a chicken tractor? You can get the perks of free ranging without some of the risks

 

[4-H chicken mom]

Hi and from Ohio. So glad you joined.

 

[weimarmama]

&

from Alabama. Glad you joined us.

 

[kidcody]

from washington state glad you joined us!

 

[sumi]

Hello and welcome to BYC!