thinking of raising chickens- what should I expect?

[silverbantamkaryn]

Quote:
thank you for your help

Do you think putting netting over part of it so the chickens can run under it would help? Would having our outdoor dogs and feral cats running around be enough to help deter hawks from getting the chickens? I haven't seen any hawks around although I'm sure if they see free meals they might. But I wonder if having the animals we do would help stop them?

We have two outdoor dogs that roam the property 24/7 and bark anything off the property for the most part.

Would netting part of it be enough to help get the chickens to run for cover?

 

[Dutchgirl]

1) We free-range our chickens. They are housed in chain-link dog pens that we have grafted together. Their roost is made from an old mattress skeleton. (Yes, it is somewhat makeshift). We cover it with tarps and when it gets wet inside we cover the ground with grass or straw. We let them out in the mornings and they come back in by themselves at night, when we lock them up to keep them safe from predators, mainly raccoons but also possums, foxes, and dogs.
2) Chicken poop makes good manure, but only after it has aged. Fresh stools "burn" the plants and, as far as I know, will kill them. We have good black dirt where our chicken coop used to be, and where it is now there is no grass growing.
3) We raise mostly bantams. We have found the Japanese breed to be not only fairly friendly but also good brooders and mother hens. Sebrights are pretty, but there is a disclaimer: we have had two, a hen and rooster. The hen never let us pick her up, but was fairly friendly, always running for treats. The rooster was the fiercest one we've ever had, despite his size. He scratched my legs up till they bled multiple times. Eventually we disposed of him. D'Uccles are very friendly in some cases. The hens are some of the nicest chickens in our flock, but we've had three roosters that were simply evil. Our current D'Uccle rooster is cowardly, though, and rarely attacks us.
For larger breeds, I would recommend Americaunas or Easter Eggers. Their eggs are blue and green. The Polish are comical-looking but lay eggs fairly smaller than most of the other Standard breeds. Barred Rock hens lay brown eggs and are also friendly.

 

[couponsaver47]

I like the lots of poop comment!! LOL!! That much is true but it's good for making compost.

We have had diferrent Sex Links(Which I think were the sweetest), Production Reds, Americuanas(Also very sweet & give colored eggs), & Cukoo Marans. All Were very tame & easy to handle & all freeranged. Although, they did know when feeding times were & was always around for that.

The marans lay a very dark brown egg. Looks like chocolate eggs..lol. They are the best eggs in my opinion..My marans were very broody birds & took care of their babies well. They were also the only one to set on their eggs or any other chickens eggs they could get their bodies onto..lol

I have read that the Buff Orpingtons are very gentle to handle & also very broody..So, Guess what? I just bought 25 BO's

As far as the predator concern: WOW. I can't help ya there. Just lost my whole flock to various predators in 2 months this last winter. Went from 39 hens & 1 rooster to just the 1 roo. So sad, but I can say my dogs evened the score somewhat.

You'll have to teach your dogs that the chickens are not theirs to eat. If they've never been around chickens, it's in their nature to EAT them & they will!! Mine got 3 before I taught them differently. Now my dogs guard my chickens with their lives. Kind of like they are saying"if my master won't let ME eat them, nobody can." My dogs have killed badgers, foxes, coyotes, & uh hum, other neighbors dogs & cats for getting close to my chickens. Unfortunately even that could not stop all the predator attacks I had last winter from destroying my flock.

I hope some of this helped you. You are in the right place here! Lots of great advice. Good luck on your new hobby, because it truly is an addicting thing raising chickens.

 

[Gardeninggranny]

My hens are locked in at night, in the coop which has an enclosed fenced run. Generally I open the run door each am and they then go out into the pasture and roam all day. To close them in at night or any other time I bring out some bread scraps, throw it in the run - they all run in and I close the door. They are pretty trained so that if they see me coming with a bread bag they run to the coop. They would come in at night on their own, but I like knowing they are locked up at night. Do consider having a place where you can pen the chickens up safely. There are times when this is the best thing- for example when you are having people over for a picnic! Or if a stray dog comes around, big storm is coming or other problem pops up. Like previous posts said cats aren't a problem, dogs however, even small ones are, even your own dogs can be a big problem. If neighbors let dogs run freely pen up your birds.

 

[LittlenRedHen782]

I have been raising chickens for two years now. My girls have a large fenced yard to roam during the day and at night they are locked in the coop (an old storage shed). I have cats and dogs that I have to keep out of there, we also have skunks, foxes, hawks, falcons, and stray cats around. I have secured their area as well as I can and know that no matter what I do something may get them. For bedding I use plain straw and do a basic sweep out once a month, and every six months I do a deep clean where everything comes out is cleaned and put back in. As for breeds I love my Rhode Island Reds they are good layers and friendly, but my favorite one is Princess my Silver Sebright, she is the smallest in the yard but does really well at holding her own and she is also the loudest girl. I have loved having chickens, watching them grown and seeing how each one develops her own personality. The biggest thing that I did not expect was the amount of work it took during that first year with moving them into larger living spaces and just how much I would come to love each and everyone of them.

Overall I would highly recommed getting a few to start and see how your chicken math does.

 

[glassymom]

Hello

I'm just a beginner totally, just bought my first 3 april 19 and haven't even a clue what kind they are. I do know that I ended up with 2 hens and 1 rooster.... He is the sweetest and lets me hold him all the time. The girls (shelly and sabrina LOL) like to be petted but not so much on the holding.....
Any hoo, we have fenced in property but right across the street is an Ospry nest and there are Ospry everywhere so we only keep them out when we are right there......... We built a coop and it has a large totally fenced in area for them.

We have a chihuahua and from day 1 she thought they were her babies, even tried to carry them away from me when I'd try to take them outside for a bit....we kept them in the garage at first in a box, then a doggie kennel....just making due. LOL

I got them for eggs but I find they are quite wonderful our little family of chicky booms as our 2yo calls them.

I say go for it, make sure they are safe and have fun!! I'm SO glad that I did!!!

Now, if I take a pic of them can anyone tell me what kind they are?? They are a very light yellow/ivory........atleast when they are not rolling in the dirt!!

Chickens don't like baths do they????

Oh, almost forgot to mention.........mine do NOT come back in at night I always have to shush them in and lock their little door.......LOL



sue