Chicken Info

[lesleygl]

I have been thinking of keeping chickens now for a while but haven't done anything about it yet as want as much knowledge as possible to make sure I have happy chickens.

How long do chickens lay eggs for and can you keep happy hens when they get elderly. Do you take them to the vets like normal pets when ill or putting to sleep when necessary?

How do they get along when you have cats and dogs in the family?

I obviously lots more info on this before I start to make sure I do the right things by them.

[Reb Williams]

I'm sure there are others on the forum with useful specific info, so sorry if this is a bit general, but the first thing I'd ask is, why are you wanting chickens? Are you seeing them as pets (in which case egg laying is very much secondary), or are you seeing them as egg-producers but just don't want to cull them when they stop laying?
Chickens can live a LONG time after they stop laying - it will depend on the breed. If you are seeing them as pets, of course, that is fine. If you aren't keen on feeding the old hens for years after they've stopped being productive, you'll need to face up to a cull!
It's worth investigating the breeds whatever you do. Some breeds, especially those bred to be good for meat rather than eggs, are very very dull. We kept Rhode Island Reds for years and they have lots of personality and were strong minded enough to keep our cat and next-door's cat at bay. Dogs are perhaps a different matter; depends on the dog.
Sorry if that is a bit too waffly. Hope it helps.


Reb
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[bluemoon]

I spent 18 months wondering if chickens were a good idea and finding out all I could before I took the plunge. I wouldn't suggest quite that long, but I do think you're right not to jump in before you've considered all the pros and cons. Buy a book on their care and another one which describes the breeds, then try to decide which ones would be best suited to you; try to go to an agricultural show and look at the birds there; think about housing from a practical point of view as there are so many which look lovely, but are not very good. Then, when you're at the point where you're ready to buy house, run, birds and feed ask specific questions here to gain other people's perspective.
As for the dog and cat thing, I can confirm that it would be a very brave moggy who decided to tangle with a Rhode Island Red, dogs can be trained to be calm around them and may have to spend a little time on the lead at first, but usually get the idea.

[Eco-Chic]

I'm a new chook keeper (less than 4 weeks) and look on my three ladies as pets who will provide me with some eggs, eventually, allegedly. They're about 18 weeks old now and what with the shorter days I'd be surprised if they gift me with any eggs until some time in the new year. They won't be prolific layers as they aren't hybrids.

My cat got a little to close for comfort and they stood up tall, flapped their wings and squawked in a most unladlylike manner and Gypsy cat didn't stop running and hurdling fences for two gardens. Now, she likes to sit out of their reach watching over them. Chook TV for the cat

I have two JR X Springer Spaniel and their mother here. Sadly they did get hold of one of my lovely girls and killed her. I'm very strict now about keeping the dogs out of the garden when the chooks are free-ranging or if their run is open for me to change their food and water.

You will be advised to buy the largest coop you can afford and accommodate as if you start off with 3 (the minimum you should consider) you will soon crave more. My eBay watch list is already full of more coops and I can't look at the shed and kennel without thinking how many chooks they could accommodate if I got a man in or tried my hand at DIY.

Check out eBay and other sites. You'll see lots of small coops. I thought they were people giving up but they were people needing bigger coops to house their obsession.

Can't think of a downside. The poo-picking in the coop, run and range area takes a few minutes daily and will nourish my soil for veggies next year.

[Eco-Chic]

ps I read almost every thread and post on all 44 pages of this forum over a period of a couple of weeks. I think almost every question will have been covered in some form or other. I've also read 4 starting off with chicken books but I honestly think this forum was more informative.

Chickens can be taken to your vet for treatment but if s/he isn't experienced in chickens you might need to find a vet specialising in avians or a nearby breeder to help you.

[bluemoon]

We took one of ours to the vet; a course of antibiotics was given and proved to be a complete waste of time, they had absolutely no effect. I started to read a thread on the vine which initially seemed to be about something else, but which actually, among the other things and by pure coincidence, told me the cure for my hen's problem (a tube of Canesten cream!) So yes, you can take them to the vet, but be prepared for your vet to be as clueless as you.

[lesleygl]

Well, thank you all for your comments, you have answered every question. I wanted get some rescue hens as I am a daft about animals and always want to do something for them, within the scope my husband allows (he is pretty good really).

I think eggs would be a bonus, it is really for me the love of animals.
I am still thinking about it and hopefully will do something about it the new year.

I understand that we do get rescue hens in my area from time to time and this will give me plenty of time think seriously about my future plans.

Thank you again for your advise and give your hens a pat (if that is what they like) from me

[Eco-Chic]

Lesley,

Starting off with ex-bats may not be the ideal method. They may be in poor health physically and mentally and may have difficulty adapting to their new environment.

I would like to rehome some ex-batts eventually but was advised to start off with some nice healthy placid girls to gain experience before attempting to care for an 'special needs' chooks who may arrive without feathers, with feet problems and with cut beaks

I have 3 Orpington Blue Bantams, an easy going placid breed. I would honestly advise starting out with a similarly easy going breed

[Suechooks]

I'm with EcoChic on this one. Ex-batts are lovely and grateful and just wonderful BUT they do have "special needs".
I have a mix of laying hybrids and ex-batts.

[lesleygl]

Well thanks that is interesting and useful to know

[MaureenHall]

Well I must have jumped in at the deep end then! I started off with 6 ex-batts at the beginning of last year, never having even touched a live chicken before never mind looking after one I blame Jamie Oliver and Huge Furry Whatsisface for my decision after they'd done the programme on TV about battery farms. For me, it was the best decision. The girls are really friendly and easy-going, still lay eggs, and give me hours and hours of pleasure just watching them change from oven-readies into beautiful laydeez. Yes, I've had my fair share of deaths in the flock, but at least they did have a chance to be a proper chicken before they died, and their deaths were dignified

Good luck with whatever you decide to go for

[Smoggy67]

Im quite anew chooker myself, but like Maureen I started off with 4 ex batts, settled in easily and were really friendly.. It was lovely when they started to refeather and look like any other healthy chicken.. Eggs came every couple of days which was laso very nice..

My problem started when I introduced more chooks to the brood, the ex batts violently attacked them and I had to remove then sell on the new additions..

So like ECO, I read every thread on here since before God was a lad - and feeling more confident with my new found knowledge and support of this crazy lot I tried again..

Currently I am up to 14 - allsorts mixed with the exbatts and they just accept it.. Very happy and proud to have got on top of situation (thanks again you lot) and watch them for hours on end... Love em.

So in a nutshell - get reading the threads from day one and enjoy your new chooks..

[RedThorn]

I started with ex-batts too, I am not sorry that I did either. I will say that they are not as strong though and have been unfortunate that I have lost 4 in a year. Even though it is sad, knowing that they had a chance at being a normal chicken and had love and a taste at freedom, that makes it worthwhile and would not hesitate to get more in the future.

As to cat's well ask my 2, they are at the bottom of the pecking order that's for sure, my girls think it's a game to chase cats!

Like you, I was nervous and hesitant and worried, but they are easy to look after and when I've had a a few silly questions, I asked and everyone was so helpful, so go for it and ask away! Just buy a coop that will accommodate more girls than you are planning on getting as almost all who do get girls get more! (me I stated no more than 4 - now have 8 girls and 4 chicks )

[Hilary B]

Whatever you do, don't believe the 'capacity' statements about runs which come with houses. The house will usually be fine for the number of chooks stated (sometimes significantly more) but the 'attached run' will NOT be big enough unless they are only shut in there for short periods with larger space most of the daylight hours!

[RichmondHens]

I'm with Hilary on this. Chickens are NOT guinea pigs or rabbits, although 99% of the manufacturers of coops seem to think they are, and offer space that is ridiculously small.

For a chicken to be happy it needs plenty of room to range about and scratch in. A small coop designed to sit prettily on a lawn is only suitable for broodies and chicks, and then only for about 6 weeks.

Unfortunately chickens will trash your garden - they love to scratch and bathe in flowerbeds and peck vegetables. And they will poo everywhere! Having said that, a chicken happily exploring the garden with no fence to limit it is a lovely sight. And the eggs they provide are better than anything you can buy in the shops.