Soon, or at least, hopefully soon the family and I will be moving. For now we don't have chickens at our house, it's not an ideal location. But I do have Pheasants. 4 Lady Amhersts, 3 female and 1 male as a good beginning step to prepare the family for chickens. I have had many birds in the past (A long time ago) Geese, chickens, conures, parakeets, pheasants, (maybe ducks?)etc. I do not plan on moving them to a new house, the plan is to sell them or give them away. I do not want a yard with mixed birds.
Anyway.. Where we plan to move has a 1/2 total of land. The chickens will be in the back yard which is a 1/4 acre and has 3 sides with three feet of chain link fence. Wouldn't take much to finish it off if I need to. I want chickens to help fertilize the soil, for some eggs (Maybe a dozen a week) and to sorta keep bugs down. As much as they can without getting rocks for brains Guineas. I have no plans to using them as meat birds, just an addition to the soil ecosystem is the main thing.
Question #1 - I want quiet, cold hardy, hot hardy, friendly birds. Temperatures around here go from 10 degrees F to 110 degrees F. With the average range of 20 to 100. I was thinking Rhode island Reds, Buff Orphington, and Barred Rocks. Would these birds fit the bill and "hopefully" stay in the yard?
Question #2 - If I want the yard to be a usable space for people and not a poop minefield. I also want the density to be low enough the chickens don't feel anxious, and also low enough it doesn't feel like a farm. I think if the kids can have a small but not dog like attatchment to the chickens it will help with them taking care of em. I'm thinking 3-5 hens. Is this a good number or should I have more?
Question #3 - I plan on having raised bed gardens. Maybe a foot off the ground. Any issues with the RIR, BO, or BR's?
Last question - With all the above being said. What do you think of 2 Buffs, 2 Barred rocks, and 1 Rhode island for a 1/4 acre "urban" backyard?
Anyway.. Where we plan to move has a 1/2 total of land. The chickens will be in the back yard which is a 1/4 acre and has 3 sides with three feet of chain link fence. Wouldn't take much to finish it off if I need to. I want chickens to help fertilize the soil, for some eggs (Maybe a dozen a week) and to sorta keep bugs down. As much as they can without getting rocks for brains Guineas. I have no plans to using them as meat birds, just an addition to the soil ecosystem is the main thing.
Question #1 - I want quiet, cold hardy, hot hardy, friendly birds. Temperatures around here go from 10 degrees F to 110 degrees F. With the average range of 20 to 100. I was thinking Rhode island Reds, Buff Orphington, and Barred Rocks. Would these birds fit the bill and "hopefully" stay in the yard?
Question #2 - If I want the yard to be a usable space for people and not a poop minefield. I also want the density to be low enough the chickens don't feel anxious, and also low enough it doesn't feel like a farm. I think if the kids can have a small but not dog like attatchment to the chickens it will help with them taking care of em. I'm thinking 3-5 hens. Is this a good number or should I have more?
Question #3 - I plan on having raised bed gardens. Maybe a foot off the ground. Any issues with the RIR, BO, or BR's?
Last question - With all the above being said. What do you think of 2 Buffs, 2 Barred rocks, and 1 Rhode island for a 1/4 acre "urban" backyard?