The only thing I know about chickens is how to grill them....

[ob1027]

So me and my wife have been throwing around the idea to get chickens, then one day we were presented with the opporunity to buy 7 chickens with a coop and an enclosed run for $100. We bought it. Now we have 3 Americans, 2 Buff Orphingtons, & 2 Bard Rocks. The original owners had to move for work and couldn't keep the chickens. We've had them two days now and have got 5 eggs. I'm getting ready to make a little fenced area for them to run around our 1/2 acre lot during the day. Me and my wife have no idea what we are doing and are hitting the online forums hard for advice. Any tips would be great. We are currently feeding them some kind of egg laying pellet from the previous owners though it is almost out. I'm pretty comfortable spraying the egg with a bleach/water solution and scrubbing any poop off. These are all for our family only. Is there anything special we need to know about these breeds? I'm planning on getting a big feeder and just keeping it full, bad idea? Thanks in advance!

 

[canesisters]

What a great adventure you & your family are on!

Couple of things:
There are some generally accepted minimums for space. Roughly 4sq feet inside the hen house for each full sized birds. Roughly 10sq feet of yard each.
Ventilation is apparently very, very, very important inside the hen house - summer & winter.
Plenty of water all the time - chickens apparently drink a LOT.
I haven't heard anyone say that it's possible to feed them too much - so access to feed all the time is ok.
I don't think that you need to bleach the egg shells.. Most folks agree that wiping them with a damp cloth just before using is enough. The shells are porous so keep in mind that whatever you cover them in could (in minute amounts) get inside the egg. From what I gather, many folks keep them on the counter until ready to use, and then wipe them off if necessary. Also, any shells that aren't getting bleached can be crushed and given back to the hens. They will appreciate the calcium boost.
Speaking of calcium, provide them with oyster shell - in it's own container. They'll need the extra to help make strong shells - but they will pick it up when they need it so don't mix it with their feed.

There is SOO much more, so check the "Learning Center" tab and ask, ask, ask. The folks on BYC are a WEALTH of info and happy to share.

Have fun! Someone has as part of their signature "Chickens are a hobby, not a religion" or something close to that. This 'chicken thing' can get pretty consuming - so that's very good advise to remember.

 

[Den in Penn]

Welcome to BYC.
I hope you have a great time with your new hobby. Definitely learn all you can about them. Find a book or two and read. That should give you a good base of knowledge to build on. I'd say you got into it cheap, most spend a good bit more to start. Then they talk about their first egg costing them x amount.
Adult hens that are laying should be feed layer feed, it has added calcium for strong egg shell. More space is always better and it sounds like your adding to the original run, that's to the good. If the nesting boxes are clean the eggs should be clean as well. Its good if they don't sleep in the boxes, but on the roosts. Having the feed in with the birds all the time isn't bad for the chickens, however watch for other free loaders getting a meal.
I haven't heard of an American breed, there is an ameracuna breed. The "bard" rocks are "Barred" Plymouth Rocks, They get the name for the striped or barred feathers.
Enjoy!

 

[1muttsfan]

Hi and welcome to BYC from northern Michigan

I dont wash my eggs at all

 

[gryeyes]

Like 1muttsfan I have never washed eggs from my flock. I HAVE wiped some eggs off with a damp washcloth just before using them, though. "Some" not all. Eggs have a natural coating (called the "bloom") deposited on them just as they exit the cloaca to keep bacteria from penetrating the porous shells. Washing them removes the bloom, so I don't damp-wash ANY egg until just before I cook it.