thinking about chickens...

[7peeplings]

Hello. I would like chickens (in our suburban backyard), and have been making plans to design a coop from this great website. I would like to know what the real life schedule (time commitment) is when you have a small (three) 'flock' of gals. I'll post my question under .... well, I guess "coop designs" ... since we don't even have our coop yet. Just wanted to say "hello".....Thanks!

 

[melody]

You will need to feed and water them daily and let them out of their coop. Three gals don't take much but they will want you wanting more....

 

[SunshineSteedFarm]

Hello and Welcome to BYC!Glad to have ya here! Its a great place to learn

 

[Cats Critters]

 

[4-H chicken mom]

and

from Ohio. You know you were warned about the addiciton!

Make your coop as big as you can. You will want more.

 

[MaggieRae]

First off,

from North Texas!
Second, 3 hens will be no trouble at all. I have 8 chickens and they're barely any work (compared to the cats or horses). I fill their 3 big feeders once a week, and change out the water in their waterers once or twice a week. Once a month (or two months) I clean out the coop, which takes an hour or two (About 36 sq feet). I don't mind the work. Those chickens are so much fun! And great to take pictures of.
Feel free to PM me if you have any questions. Everyone here on BYC would love to help!

Best of luck!

 

[NewHopePoultry]

from Missouri

 

[M To The Maxx]

 

[Chicken Boo]

If you do it right, the bulk of the work is when you get started. Your coop needs to safe, large enough, and hospitable for your girl. Once everything is set and you plan ahead a bit, "3" hens (see 4H Chicken Mom) are much less trouble than a dog. If you do not plan it right, you will be correcting for predators; ease of access to the eggs, feeder, or something; or something else you did not think of.

Having hens in the yard is a delight and has many benefits. So, think real hard and go get your new family members.

 

[Southernbelle]

3 hens would be so easy - I bet it would take you less than 10 min/day.

Assuming they're in a coop with access to a run:
Check to make sure there's food in the feeder (get a feeder that holds a few days worth of feed)
Feed them the kitchen scraps you saved for them (I just dump the scraps in the run to keep them occupied while I'm gathering eggs/changing water)
Change the water
Collect the eggs

If they free range or need a pop door opened:
You'll have to go out in the AM to let them out and the PM to lock them up for the night

As for cleaning the coop - I use deep litter method, so I scoop it all out and sanitize 2x/year. They are the easiest pets ever!