Texas

[jajeanpierre]

I thought about doing bantams but they are so flighty. I'm afraid they would get into the trees around me (there are a lot) and I'd never get them back. My plans for the coop and run wouldn't really change since I was doing a total enclosure.

Just how badly would 5 chickens tear up my lawn while free ranging for an hour or two a day?

Maybe I should just get a puppy instead....

What are you talking about? Do you mean bantams can fly better than large fowl or do you mean they have spooky temperaments, which is what "flighty" really means?

Silkies can't fly. Chickens don't run away from home. There are very few chickens that won't go home to their coop at night.

An hour a day is not a lot of time for a chicken to be outside. It sounds as though you plan to keep them in a very small, barren pen, which is not a whole lot of fun for a chicken. Chickens spend their whole day rooting around, scratching, foraging for things. They will do things like dig a hole for a dust bath in dirt that suits them but might not suit you. Feather-footed breeds are less likely to do as much damage.

I do understand that you might not appreciate a lot of things involved in chicken keeping. I sure didn't until I actually had them in my care for some months even though, like you, I did a lot of research. I have a very well-stocked chicken library! Even after reading and researching a lot, the reality of keeping chickens was very different from the theoretical.

I really don't understand your puppy comment. Chickens are nothing like puppies. No bird is. They are dinosaurs, not mammals.

 

[hungnguyen]

Chickens are nothing like puppies. No bird is. They are dinosaurs, not mammals.

I like this comparison. Your avatar of a firzzle is marvelous.

Maybe Laurie needs to try some little Frizzles

 

[Texasmja]

@Texasmja
Thank you so much for the info! We use A&M for our cows, I know exactly where that is. Looking forward to it.

@Texasmja
Thank you so much for the info! We use A&M for our cows, I know exactly where that is. Looking forward to it.

Coop in is at 9AM so that means all the birds have to be ready to be judged by then. I will be super busy before that. But after I get them all in and ready I will be there all day and would love to meet anyone who comes.

 

[bnjrob]

Just how badly would 5 chickens tear up my lawn while free ranging for an hour or two a day?

That depends on if they stay together and work the same area together or if they spread out, as well as how much they forage and dig. We've got 7 pullets in an 8x10ft tractor and they can reduce the area to little-to-no grass and all dirt/mud within 24 hours.

 

[Ms Jellybean]

I am planning on a coop/run area inside a much larger run area - like the size of a one car garage. I plan on landscaping inside the big area and putting things in for the chickens to 'climb' around on and 'play' on. Due to the location of my house I don't think I can leave chickens out unattended all day. I live across the street from a busy park and there are a lot of hawks and even some falcons around. My back yard is fenced but it is only a 4 foot chain link fence. My biggest concern is the chickens getting out and getting run over, lost or taken.

Flighty=spook easily. I've also read bantams like to fly into trees.

The puppy comment is because I want to also get a puppy. No, there is no comparison between chickens and dogs.


How many bantam eggs equals one large chicken egg?

 

[lovingmyhens]

I just watched my oldest graduate from college, summa cum laude, with a teaching degree. About to burst with pride

 

[Ms Jellybean]

I just watched my oldest graduate from college, summa cum laude, with a teaching degree. About to burst with pride

Congratulations!

 

[TexasLisa]

I just watched my oldest graduate from college, summa cum laude, with a teaching degree. About to burst with pride

CONGRATULATIONS!!

Lisa

 

[lovingmyhens]

That depends on if they stay together and work the same area together or if they spread out, as well as how much they forage and dig.  We've got 7 pullets in an 8x10ft tractor and they can reduce the area to little-to-no grass and all dirt/mud within 24 hours.

I've seen little wear and tear and they are out all day. I have four

 

[ronniewayne]

texas mja are you showing some of those slw? they are beautiful.