What a great idea!

[Pieman]

Hello all - not sure why it took this long to figure out that my parents need chickens, but I am looking to jump in. My father raised them during WWII and I think it'd be a great past-time for him in retirement as well as providing them (and me) fresh eggs. They live in suburban Philadelphia with about 1.5 acres.

I checked with the local code and it's allowed for their lot size. I would like to get a book on the subject to determine if this is realistic (I only visit them 1x per week or so so I won't be available to do the day-to-day stuff) and how to set this up. Any book tips or points on this site would be great!

Thanks in advance.

 

[roostersandhens]

 

[Pieman]

Ha ha, thanks. That's a beautiful picture and I am sure my father would immediately say, "Oh, that's a something or something or other..."

 

[jmmeye4]

Hello all - not sure why it took this long to figure out that my parents need chickens, but I am looking to jump in. My father raised them during WWII and I think it'd be a great past-time for him in retirement as well as providing them (and me) fresh eggs. They live in suburban Philadelphia with about 1.5 acres.

I checked with the local code and it's allowed for their lot size. I would like to get a book on the subject to determine if this is realistic (I only visit them 1x per week or so so I won't be available to do the day-to-day stuff) and how to set this up. Any book tips or points on this site would be great!

Thanks in advance.

Welcome to BYC

I have several books on chickens and other livestock however have found this site more educational as each setup, chicken, and situation is unique. For myself, I have 7 chickens an 11lbs feeder and they will clean it out in a week.

If you are the only one going to feed, clean, water the chickens I would recommend on getting some larger food and water bins and practice the deep litter method. Chicken eggs should be picked up every day to keep the hens from going broody.

The largest issue faced would be the security as opening and closing the coop every day is important. It allows them room to roam and avoids other chicken issues. Most books will provide a good basis for understanding, just run through some threads on hear and see what you find. We are here to help.

 

[Pieman]

Thanks. My parents would definitely do the day to day - I want my dad to have this as a hobby, I just want to be able to do the messy stuff that may be needed.

 

[Pieman]

I bought my dad a book of chicken portraits a few years ago - he liked it. In the cover I wrote this, er, 'poem':

Oh chicken,
You are so fowl,
Born to be eaten,
Bear to be beaten.

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC!

 

[drumstick diva]

The Learning center is a great place to start.

 

[TwoCrows]

Definitely do some reading in our learning center here on BYC....

https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center

Good luck with all your poultry adventures and enjoy BYC!

 

[liz9910]

Welcome to BYC! x3 on the Learning Center.