POLL: Chickens - easier, same or harder then you thought, once you got them?

[calliexw]

I bought 2 chicks the day before Easter, and had no idea what I was getting myself into... The set up cost more than I expected, but taking care of them was way easier than I would have guessed.
They do poo a-lot so, between letting them sleep back in their brooder when they get cold and whiney, and hosing off the patio constanly, i'm glad i only have to clean up after 2. They are very sweet and co-operative about everything though, hopefully they stay that way!
Also, glad mine are apparently heritage breeds that are supposed to do well in the heat. It's already been in the nineties where I live and they are smart enough to do stuff to keep cool without constant coddling.
Over all I'm glad to have them and, spend more time then necessary with them, just because they are so much fun!

 

[Rock Home Isle]

The biggest hassle has been the coop...Its taken a lot longer than expected, but now that the major construction is completed and the chicks are out of the house and in the coop...much less mess & much less stress.

I think my wife'll keep me.

 

[cubalaya]

i think its great that you city dwellers are allowed a few hens for eggs. after having chickens for thirty years, i would not have them, though if i could not keep at least 1 rooster for the flock.

 

[Rock Home Isle]

Yeah...I miss the complete experience of having roosters in the flock.

Having hens is better than no chickens at all.

 

[LaynaDon95]

Roosters really do make everything so much easier. I'm glad we can have them.

 

[what did I do]

I've never liked other peoples chickens! I love our chickens. We picked up our first chicks a little over a year ago. We went to just pick up a few and came home with 60. This year we bought 100 chicks and will hatch many more. If you don't like them you can always sell them or put them in the freezers.

 

[jdeoliveira74]

you will like it I was worried too. But the brooder was the most nerve racking just because they were young and you never know.

Now I have no worried they freerange during the days and in the coop at night!
good luck and go for it! pretty rewarding and fun to watch
Jon

 

[Rock Home Isle]

Ever go to some elses house and see their chickens and think to yourself, "Dang, What rude Birds?..."

 

[Rock Home Isle]

Everyother time that we had poultry they were kept in their coop and run. So this is the first time that I have deliberately ahd chickens on my lawn...and I'm noticing that I'm watering a lot more than usual. Now its been a very dry Spring, but still I'm surprised at the amount of water that its taking to maintain my yard at a level that I have in years past.

Anybody else notice something similar??

 

[duckinnut]

Where as I find them both easy and hard. But the hardest part is hiding my addiction of chicken hoarding. Currently only at 17 but going up in the next few weeks as I have some being raised on a secured location. I would have at least a 100 or more if a certain DW would let me. So I figure if added a few at a time nobody will notice.