What do you wish you had known before you got your chickens

[Lots A Cluckin]

I wish i would have know how much better it is for me, the chickens and the feed bill if I keep under 25 chickens.

 

[birdsrfun]

I wish I would have known how expensive, and difficult, it would be to keep my little chickies organic. Just saying the word adds up to 50% more of the price, and then you have to find it!

 

[PrimroseMom1]

I have a 6 ft fence that they cant get over. I do have to worry about my own dog.

Chickens can get over a 6' fence and will. Mine did until I clipped their wings.

 

[newbie32]

Chickens can get over a 6' fence and will. Mine did until I clipped their wings.

I know I was talking about the neighbors dogs. I hope mine don't jump the fence. My buffs should get too big to jump that high but I think my polish probably could.

 

[Katt66]

I know I was talking about the neighbors dogs. I hope mine don't jump the fence. My buffs should get too big to jump that high but I think my polish probably could.

If they want to get over the fence they will. My Aunt keeps her one EE Rooster and a couple of 5+yr old Red Sex Links in the kennel with the goat. The kennel is 12X12 and 8ft high chain link fence. They all sit on top of it all the time. As for the orpington not being able to make it that high, you'd be surprised how well those very heavy chickens can get themselves off the ground when the mood strikes them. I would definitely look into a covered run for where they are going to spend their unsupervised time. Just for their own safety.

 

[PrimroseMom1]

If they want to get over the fence they will.  My Aunt keeps her one EE Rooster and a couple of 5+yr old Red Sex Links in the kennel with the goat.  The kennel is 12X12 and 8ft high chain link fence.  They all sit on top of it all the time.  As for the orpington not being able to make it that high, you'd be surprised how well those very heavy chickens can get themselves off the ground when the mood strikes them.  I would definitely look into a covered run for where they are going to spend their unsupervised time.  Just for their own safety.  

There are videos on YouTube on how to clip wings. You can't see they are clipped. They recommend clipping only one side.

 

[Katt66]

There are videos on YouTube on how to clip wings. You can't see they are clipped. They recommend clipping only one side.

Yep just one side. That way they won't get.the lift or distance.they need to get very far.

 

[newbie32]

yeah I have seen the video and I will do it if I need to. As of right now I don't need to

 

[PrimroseMom1]

yeah I have seen the video and I will do it if I need to. As of right now I don't need to

If you wait until you need to, the "need to" part could be an event that results in the death of one of your chickens. My event was my chicken flying over a wooden privacy fence into my neighnor's yard. If it had been my other neighbor, their dog would have killed her and it would have been my fault. Just saying.

 

[Peep_Show]

Things I wish I had known beforehand....

1) That rats can chew through coop floors to get at feed. My next coop will have a sheet of tin or something nailed to the bottom

2) That caponizing is neither fun nor easy (unlike what the books and brochures say); Written instructions lose quite a bit into 3-D surgical translation

3) Meat birds make a tremendous amount of poop, more so than other chickens. Food in = poop out and they are non-stop eating machines

4) Coop doors must be fastened every night, no ands ifs or buts. Just one slip and lots of work down the drain.

5) One day of hot weather can decimate a flock of meat birds, so plan grow times accordingly.

6) There's nothing more fun that watching a flock of chickens with one tomato worm or tomato.... Scrimmage!

7) If you may have to eat it, don't name it.

8) If you're going to eat the chickens, get lots of the same breed and color. A mass of birds is less personal.