Should I Raise/Keep chickens?

[WiseSquirrel]

Maybe these links will help

Egg colour genetics
https://scratchcradle.wordpress.com/2012/07/01/gms1-genetics-of-egg-color/

https://scratchcradle.wordpress.com/2012/07/08/gms2-breeding-for-blue-eggs/

https://scratchcradle.wordpress.com/2012/07/15/gms3-breeding-for-other-egg-colors/

Thank you! I'll check these out.

 

[Matilda Belle]

@silkiekeeper you mentioned 10 sq ft per bird, is that standard? I was considering keeping about 9 birds so I will need a lot more fencing.

You should definitely have at least 10 square feet per bird in the run. That is the very minimum, and more space is always better.

 

[Eric Vey]

I, unlike some others here, will not say that keeping chickens is for everyone. If you like to travel, for example, how do you know that you can find someone that will feed and water your flock while you are away? Are you willing to get up early every morning to let the chickens out and put them away at night without fail?

Some people become over enthused only to find out after a year or two, that it really isn't for them. On the flip side, I've grown to like it more than I thought I would when I started.

 

[Shadrach]

@Shadrach I absolutely agree. I'm sure now I want to have chickens and want to be sure I'm providing the best/safe environment for them. I've been reading through your stories, very informative. Quite the storyteller!

There is an understandable tendency to encourage people to enjoy the things that one finds enjoyable. With animals I believe some caution is required. I adore the chickens here but I would be remiss if I didn't mention all the heartache, the work and the expense that goes with them.
Contrary to some opinions chickens are not particularly easy to keep and don't always make wonderful pets and aren't a must have for everyone.
Getting any animal on a whim is a recipe for disaster imo. That very whim is why I look after the chickens here. The people who own them found that they required rather more work and time than they wanted to spend on them.

 

[WiseSquirrel]

Working with local animal rescues for some time, I can understand. I saw the many breeds that flooded shelters after various dog movies. We personally keep Great Danes we brought home from a rescue and have seen the damage caused by casually getting an animal on a whim. I have added a pause button to my 'I want it now' gene for living things. I have no delusions that this will be a 'cheep' endeavor or a casual one. I find it exceptional that you have the courage to step in for the chickens. -Separate note, our Danes are basically our other children. They will have no access to the chickens.

 

[WiseSquirrel]

This may seem odd, I hear people all the time saying/writing about chickens pecking at them when they get the eggs. The odd part - I grew up (through about 10) gathering eggs and haven't ever even had nudge from a chicken. I'm sure those beaks are no joke, what do you do to prevent the pecking or protect your hands if you do? I saw Shadrach's story that mentioned similar clothing helps the chickens to recognize you. Can you 'socialize chicks to you so they are more friendly?

 

[Pork Pie]

This may seem odd, I hear people all the time saying/writing about chickens pecking at them when they get the eggs. The odd part - I grew up (through about 10) gathering eggs and haven't ever even had nudge from a chicken. I'm sure those beaks are no joke, what do you do to prevent the pecking or protect your hands if you do? I saw Shadrach's story that mentioned similar clothing helps the chickens to recognize you. Can you 'socialize chicks to you so they are more friendly?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/topic-of-the-week-raising-people-friendly-poultry.1166424/

 

[Matilda Belle]

I've never been pecked by a chicken before, but I only have silkies so that may be why since they are more of a docile bird. All my chickens were socialized since chicks and they aren't unfriendly, but they would prefer I feed/water them each day and then stay far, far away. lol

 

[WiseSquirrel]

You should definitely have at least 10 square feet per bird in the run. That is the very minimum, and more space is always better.

Thank you, I'm glad you mentioned this, I hadn't seen space specs for them. We are covering their space to avoid predators, and I've looked up the hardware cloth. Originally we were going to use chicken wire and tarp (partial) over the top, but with space for about 9, I need to look into some sort of support as I don't imagine this will hold well. We have a lot of trees so a good-sized cat could get above where we are planning to put the coop/run and I want to make sure its tight across the top.

 

[Hobbits Mommie]

@WiseSquirrel, my chickens were unexpectedly given to me by my neighbor. I bought a pre-made coop but quickly learned that it was no match for rats who killed 2. We rushed to get this one built (the entire focus was on making it impenetrable). Knowing what I know now, I would have done a hoop run instead.

I am glad that we have them and they've been a tremendous help with our dietary needs but traveling is now completely out of the question. Whether it's raining, 100* outside, or I don't feel well, they come first. Lot's to think about.