SUPER newb. Beginner in all aspects of raising ANY type of chicken, and I'm completely overwhelmed

[Gulley]

Hello all,

Next year I am moving into a townhouse with a space that I think would be great for chickens, but What do I know? My inspiration for doing this is that I'm tired of relying on eggs I buy from the supermarket, because I don't like the way that the laying hens are kept in cages, and I just don't know how those "free range" chickens are treated either. I've heard that a lot of that stuff is convoluted, and that "free range" for those farms isn't really all that much better than those 8x8 inch cages. I'm just sick of the abuse and I don't want to sustain myself on it if it comes our of misery. I hate the farmers market, because its way overpriced, (in the college town where I live) and because I am NOT a schmuck, I will not be straight up robbed for my money. So, that being said, if I decide to get chickens, I want them to be happy and better off with me than they would be somewhere else.

I want it to be the right decision for me, and for them, as well. Okay, so the "run" that I would have for them is actually an enclosed porch with high privacy fencing. The floor is concrete and the space itself is at least 15 feet by 15 feet, if not 20 by 20. I don't have an exact measurement, but it can't be any smaller or larger than that. Attached to this run, there is a closet that is meant for storing outside items like lawnmowers and shovels. This is the space that I was planning to convert to a coup and build their roost therein. This is attached to the run area, and is about 10 feet long and 4 feet wide. It is actually a surprising amount of space.

Because I am just now getting into chickens, (I'm 23, city raised girl, going to college), I want to start small. I'm not interested in a flock right now, but I eventually will be.

1) I want to keep 1 or 2 hens. Do they need more socialization than this? Or can I keep just 1 hen if I wanted to? Is that cruel?

2) I'm looking at bantams because of their manageable sizes, and great colors and personalities. What breeds of bantams would you recommend for my space limitations?

3) I should not get a rooster because I don't want to raise chickens, I just want to keep some hens. But, do hens need a rooster to keep them happy or is that perfectly normal to have a small flock of just hens?

I think that I could handle having three hens, but I don't know what their space requirements are. I know that the run is a concrete floor also, so I was wondering if there was anyway to do poop control on that. Should I spread sand and make it one giant litter box?

Is this even possible or should I just this dream self-sufficiency go?

Thanks all, I look forward to your advice.

 

[scratch'n'peck]

Hello all,

Next year I am moving into a townhouse with a space that I think would be great for chickens, but What do I know? My inspiration for doing this is that I'm tired of relying on eggs I buy from the supermarket, because I don't like the way that the laying hens are kept in cages, and I just don't know how those "free range" chickens are treated either. I've heard that a lot of that stuff is convoluted, and that "free range" for those farms isn't really all that much better than those 8x8 inch cages. I'm just sick of the abuse and I don't want to sustain myself on it if it comes our of misery. I hate the farmers market, because its way overpriced, (in the college town where I live) and because I am NOT a schmuck, I will not be straight up robbed for my money. So, that being said, if I decide to get chickens, I want them to be happy and better off with me than they would be somewhere else.

I want it to be the right decision for me, and for them, as well. Okay, so the "run" that I would have for them is actually an enclosed porch with high privacy fencing. The floor is concrete and the space itself is at least 15 feet by 15 feet, if not 20 by 20. I don't have an exact measurement, but it can't be any smaller or larger than that. Attached to this run, there is a closet that is meant for storing outside items like lawnmowers and shovels. This is the space that I was planning to convert to a coup and build their roost therein. This is attached to the run area, and is about 10 feet long and 4 feet wide. It is actually a surprising amount of space.

Because I am just now getting into chickens, (I'm 23, city raised girl, going to college), I want to start small. I'm not interested in a flock right now, but I eventually will be.

1) I want to keep 1 or 2 hens. Do they need more socialization than this? Or can I keep just 1 hen if I wanted to? Is that cruel?
You would have enough room for 3 hens. One hen would get lonely, and with two hens you it is a little insurance in case you lose one hen you won't be left with a sole lonely hen.

2) I'm looking at bantams because of their manageable sizes, and great colors and personalities. What breeds of bantams would you recommend for my space limitations?
Your space would be fine for full sized chickens if you want. Bantams come in the same breeds just smaller, but sometimes it is hard to get bantams as just hens or pullets if you get them as chicks, and you say you don't want roosters. Keep in mind too, that bantams lay tiny, but cute eggs. There are so many great breeds that are good egg layers. You just have to research the breeds, which you can do on this site.

3) I should not get a rooster because I don't want to raise chickens, I just want to keep some hens. But, do hens need a rooster to keep them happy or is that perfectly normal to have a small flock of just hens?
They don't need a rooster to be happy.

I think that I could handle having three hens, but I don't know what their space requirements are. I know that the run is a concrete floor also, so I was wondering if there was anyway to do poop control on that. Should I spread sand and make it one giant litter box?
Sand is great for a chicken run.

Is this even possible or should I just this dream self-sufficiency go?

Thanks all, I look forward to your advice.

My first question is does this town house come with a housing or neighborhood association? If so you would have to check with them and also the township where they are located to make sure hens are allowed. Hens are not totally silent so neighbors would know that you have them. Although I would say that raising a chicken few chickens for eggs is more expensive than buying free range eggs, it sounds like the coop set up would not be too expensive (until you had to think about resale value of the property perhaps.) But chickens make great pets, so as far as I'm concerned that is reason enough to have them, and eggs are a bonus. Three chickens would not produce too much waste, but you would still want to think about how you would clean up after them. It sounds like you have some time to think about your options, which is good. The space you describe would be big enough.