The laissez-faire method of keeping chickens: mine.

[LWolf]

Or, perhaps that's too kind. The half-assed, benign neglect method might be more accurate.

I started with 8 hens and 2 roosters raised as day old chicks. Australorps, Wyandottes, Buff orpingtons, and a few easter egg hens. The first year, I had more eggs than the family could eat, and was begging neighbors and coworkers to eat more eggs. The summer they turned 1 year old, One hen got broody. So I let her set. I didn't move her, separate her, nothing. I just let her set, and a few chicks hatched. I sent some hens to a new home. I got rid of the wyandottes, because the roosters were rough on them. I was left with 6 hens; 1 australorp, 2 easter egg hens, 2 orpingtons, and an orpington/wyandotte cross. Plus one extra rooster, who I kept trying to find a home for and failing. I would have eaten him, except that I don't have anything sharp enough on the place to dispatch and process him. It's on my list of things to get, someday. Meanwhile, anyone who wants a large, handsome australorp/wyandotte rooster is welcome to him. He's mild mannered.

When, this summer, TWO hens decided to set, I let them. Of course, I got no eggs for 3 weeks. You see, I still didn't move them. The other hens laid next to them, and they rolled the new eggs into the nest, guaranteeing that they wouldn't hatch together, and I'd have left over eggs to dispose of.

Hatching day was yesterday, and I have a dozen new chicks between the two hens. I have someone who wants more hens. That's good. I'm really going to have to set up a way to process them now. I really like letting the hens raise their own. No incubator, no brooder, no nothing. I just have to set up a "crib" so that they can get to some chick starter without adult interference.

[Mojorabbit]

1. I had two rhode island reds

and ordered eggs from ebay as one of my hens was broody. None hatched. I wanted a variety of chicken breeds. Hubby then went to the feed store and bought me two chicks. Guess what they were. You got it... rhode island reds. Sigh.

[LWolf]

4. There are various hatcheries to get whatever you want from.

The trouble is, you can't get less than 25. So...you either combine orders with others, or you plan to eat or find homes for all the extras. That's what I did.

Frankly, when you can mix and match from a wide variety to get a mixed flock, it's hard to narrow it down. I got a few "easter egg" chickens simply because I like having green eggs, lol. Outside of that, the orpingtons and australorps are my favorites so far. I wanted dual-purpose birds, so I got heavies that lay decently and are big enough to eat, if I ever decide to set up for processing them.

If I were to add to the flock, I'd try some Brahmas, perhaps some Marans for the deep chocolate egg shell color. Maybe even a Rhode Island Red or two, which is the standard for dual-purposes egg layers, or so I hear.

I might even go for some rare or more endangered birds, although to be of any value in preserving them, you'd have to separate them for breeding purposes.

The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy keeps a list:

http://www.albc-usa.org/cpl/wtchlist.html#chickens

Many of those, along with other good dual purpose breeds, can be found at Murray McMurray hatchery:

http://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/index.html

[villager]

2. If we were still "regional neighbors," I'd take some off your hands, LWolf!

The Ex just lost one of hers to a hawk, in the place-that-used-to-be- mine. The boys keep me apprised of poultry mortality at their "other" house...

I'm still hen-less (so to speak?) in these rented digs of mine...

How are you doing overall? :hi:

[LWolf]

3. Hi, villager!

I'm doing ok. Horses are happy and healthy, with a foal on the way next spring. Sheep are thriving, and I need to sell some. Dog is happy and healthy, and chickens are obviously fine, lol.

The grandson is physically healthy and making progress, finally, dealing with his other issues, and the rest of the family is good.

Work is good as well, although NCLB is casting long shadows over the future. This area is growing WAY TOO FAST, and I see familiar growing pains, as well.

It's good to hear from you. I was just thinking of Django last week, as a matter of fact. A neighbor was here visiting with his dogs, and asked me why my dog doesn't have "company," as she obviously loves the visits.

How are you and yours doing these days?

[villager]

5. boys are good....

The "little one" just turned 8, and the big 'un is having his bar mitzvah next month! (A low key but heartfelt event, the parameters of which I seem to have successfully negotiated with the Ex).

Still writin', still rentin' (thus, no chickens, as mentioned above).

The tangerine tree above ol' Django looks like it might yield fruit this winter. A nice gift from the sweet ol' guy.

[LWolf]

6. I've only been to one bar mitzvah, 17 years ago

when my eldest's best friend had his. I still remember something the Rabbi said to him at one point: to continue to question his teachings. That truth is strong enough to stand questioning, and holding it to the light, and that questioning his teachings would make his faith stronger.

That has stuck with me all these years, and I find it applies to any kind of teaching.

I'm glad to hear that things are going well. I expect your tangerines will be extra sweet.

:hi:

[OnionPatch]

7. Sounds like a good method to me.

Congrats on your new additions!

I would probably take your rooster and use your laissez-faire method if I had more space or wasn't too squeamish to "process" them. I have two White Leghorn hens and a Barred Rock. The Barred Rock is brooding right now on infertile eggs. I also have five pullets I bought at the feed store this spring. Three of them are easter egg chicks. The other two are a Buff Orpington and a Black Australorp, and so far I like those two breeds, too. This is my second try with the Easter Eggers. Last year I raised two. They both laid their first eggs on Thanksgiving day. On Thanksgiving night, a bear broke into my henhouse and ate them along with my Rhode Island Reds!! :banghead: I guess he wasn't afraid to process them. :9 The coop is well fortified now, so I'm hoping I'll have my blue eggs finally this fall.

[LWolf]

8. Poor chickens! A bear would be terrifying.

Glad to know you're all reinforced.

I find myself sitting out there in the chicken yard with them, just to watch the hens mothering them. It is very peaceful, and nurturing. Mine have a coop and some stalls with a small yard and a wire roof, which opens into another small yard with a couple of trees, which opens into my orchard/garden area. I can close them off in the "roofed" yard if necessary, but I never do. The easter egg hens can fly over the fence, and occasionally range around the rest of the place. They periodically check the fence and find weak spots, and then they are all out by the barn, in the pastures and corrals. That's not a problem, since they always come back to roost at night, but it does make egg collection a real pain!

Right now, the moms are keeping close in the smaller yards. They've taught them to eat, to drink, to scratch. They call them in if they feel threatened. It's funny to watch the australorp hen call hers; she's got 8 of them, and they all manage to find space under her wings! The chicks are running around, scratching, eating, drinking, sleeping, and cozying up to mom when they need to warm up. No heat lamps, no thermometers, no work. The rest of the flock is interested. They hang out nearby and keep an eye on them, but nobody bothers them.

I'm eager to see how they feather out to try to figure out what combinations I've got.

[OnionPatch]

9. Mystery chicks!

You'll have to post some pictures when they feather out. You may get something really interesting!

This spring I had hoped to slip my new chicks under a brooding hen, but none of the dummies would brood at that time. Now, in the dead of summer heat, two of them have been brooding off and on for months! Next spring, I'll wait a little longer--assuming that I'll need more by next spring. I've been raising chickens for three years now and my mortality rate has been 75%!! :blush: This is tough country! I've lost chickens to bobcats, coyotes, the bear and even my dogs! One flew over the fence and the dogs couldn't resist "playing" with it. Now I clip wings. Those Easter Eggers can really fly! With the addition of my industrial strength, chain-link, roofed enclosure, I think I won't lose so many anymore. The coops are of inside it, so there's double nighttime protection. I close them up tight each night. I can leave them locked in the chain-linked part if I want, but I only do that when I'm away overnight. Normally, they have access similar to yours, with a fenced-in "pasture" and access to the orchard if I open the gate.

Chickens are a lot more fun than I thought they would be. It's entertaining to watch them while you sit in your yard relaxing. Chicks would be even more fun! Post some pics! Here's one of my pullets when they were young. Notice the floor lining. :evilgrin: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=243x25999

[LWolf]

10. I've got a couple of pics of the flock,

their parents. One of my Buff Orpinton rooster and some hens, one of the Australorp rooster and some hens. It's the australorp hen, and one of the Buff O's that set this time around.

[OnionPatch]

11. Wow, your roosters are beautiful birds.

Seeing them always makes me want to get a rooster. Actually we had two by accident. I gave them both away because of the breeds. One was a White Leghorn. I don't really like White Leghorns. They seem skittish and kind of mean. The other was a Cornish, meant for eating. He was so huge that his legs probably would have collapsed if he was allowed to mature. :( But the Orpingtons and Australorps are nice breeds.

Post a pic of your mystery chicks when they feather out, if you can. I bet they'll be really cool looking.

[LWolf]

12. I should have plenty of time to solve camera problems by then.

I love my roosters. They are magnificent looking, and mild mannered. The Orpington is calm, personable, and hangs out close by whenever I'm out there. The Australorp is truly regal. He is standoffish, and won't come close unless he's sneaking up behind someone, but he never touches anyone. The 3rd rooster, his son, is almost as large, and has his upright carriage, but is colored like his mother hen, a silver laced wyandotte. He, too, is quiet, handsome, and mild mannered. He has to go, though. Three of them are too rough on the hens.

[OnionPatch]

13. Poor girls!

I remember our little leghorn male was constantly jumping on all the hens backs starting when he was hardly four months old. It was so funny because he was only about half their size. They seemed to like him, though. :) But I can see how three big roosters would be a problem. I'd love to take your rooster, I always wanted a Silver-Laced Wyandotte. They never have them at the feed stores around here and you can't order from them mail order unless you get 25.

My Orpington and Australorp are the friendliest, most personable of all my chickens. They always run up to see me and follow me around talking to me. I'm really liking those breeds so far, too.

[LWolf]

14. I could probably do with just one rooster,

with only 6-10 hens. I just like both of them too much. They're big guys, bigger than the smaller breed hens, and that's harder on them. I'm hoping a couple of the chicks will be crosses that will still lay green eggs, but larger.

The chicks are beginning to feather out. I can identify one as an "easter egg" cross, probably with the buff orp, but I'm not sure about the others. I think the wyandotte rooster has at least one; a black chick with excessive white. It will probably be another 3-4 weeks before I can begin to sex them, and another 3-4 weeks after that before they've feathered out completely and I can check combs and colors to guess at the crosses.

The mother hens are incredibly protective. I have to tempt them with some scratch to get a good look at the chicks; otherwise they move them away from me as soon as they see me coming. I can't do that during "business hours," lol, because the rest of the flock rushes in for the scratch, and the mother hens get offended. One of them challenged the australorp rooster, the biggest boy out there, when he approached where her chicks were scratching. She went from a gentle clucker to a whirling fury of squawks, claws, flapping, and charging; he looked surprised and backed up, and she went right back to gently clucking. So I go out when everybody else has gone to roost, before dark, to visit with chicks.

The 2 hens won't stay in the same "stall," even though they set and hatched together, so I have to set up a 2nd "baby roost," as they are trying to teach the littles to roost now. (My little yard has a big coop, and 3 "stalls." They housed birds and goats together in years past, before I moved here.)

[LWolf]

24. Here are a couple of pics:

I'm still having camera problems, and the dark gray days we've been having haven't helped any, but I don't have too many of the chicks left, so I thought I'd try to get a couple of pics before they are gone.

I had some hawk depredations. With too many roosters, the mama hens took their chicks outside the safe areas to keep the roosters from pestering them, and we lost a few. I sent a couple of pullets to my mom, and have 3 cockerels and 3 hens left. I'll keep the hens, and eat or find homes for the cockerels.

In the first picture, you'll see 4 chickens all hatched out by my black australorp hen. The little pullet is a mild black and gold color; australorp/buff orpington cross. The cockerel to the front of the pic is a buff orp/australorp/wyandotte cross; the one to the right rear is an australorp/wyandotte cross, and the one at the back with the most white is an australorp/wyandotte/easter egger cross. The picture isn't very clear, though:



The other little pullet, hatched out by a buff orpington hen, is an orpington/easter egger cross. She's all gold like the orpington, but has the gray-green feet and comb of the easter-egger. She also has the thinner, longer neck, and some little gold ear tufts:



I have a 3rd pullet, an orpington/wyandotte cross, that wouldn't hold still for a picture. She is gold, has white legs, and a very few black bars on her neck.

I tried to resize these pics, but they just wouldn't cooperate, lol.

[BobS]

15. It's fun to design processes around raising chickens

we only have 3 b/c that's the limit here in Seattle, 1 sex link red and 2 sex link blacks. We have the opposite problem, the eggs our girls will be laying through Wednesday are already promised to a friend (who has 2 friends waiting to share them) because another friend got bumped up in the rotation thanks to her birthday. We sure could use a few more hens.

[LWolf]

16. My dozen chicks are a month old now,

and I've determined that 5 are definitely roosters, 5 hens, and 2 undecided.

The 5 roosters will have to be dinner. I'm also going to have to catch them all and clip their wings (wish me luck with that one). :eyes:

I have someone who wants 2 of the pullets, and I'm sending an older hen with them. The roosters have been rough on her, and she won't stay in the coop or roost with the flock any more. She hangs out by the barn, scratching through horse manure and plants out there, and roosting on the top of the haystack every night. I'm going to make soup out of the 3rd rooster as soon as I can pick up some nice sharp knives. That will leave me with 5-7 cockerels to eat when they get large enough, 4 new hens and 5 old hens. Plus the 2 senior roosters.

They are all, including one of the large roosters, flying over fences these days. The chicks are spread out all over the 6 acres; the hens are avoiding the roosters. The problem is that the extra rooster makes one too many competing for hens, and with 2 hens raising chicks and all moulting, they don't want the attention from the roosters.

[murray hill farm]

17. OK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Chicken People.

I live in the city..small city in Georgia. I have a shed and fenced area in my back yard..a good sized yard (long) for a city lot...and have vegtable gardens...a no longer used dog pen...and have just been hankering for some chickens. What do you feed chickens? how often do you feed them? How elaberate a shelter do they need? How much cold can they deal with in the winter? It rarely gets below the 40's here. If you are going to be gone for a few days or a week, is there some way to leave feed and water with them for that period of time? And...last of all,since I know nothing...whatever else u think I should know. thanks, Pat One more thing. I live in the old part of the town...the poor section, so to speak. Rooster might cause some complaints, but there would be no problem with the chickens.

[NMDemDist2]

18. I have the room, but would love some input on where to start too

:hi:

[LWolf]

20. Read below, and then ask me questions!

In AZ, I would make sure they have deep shade and good ventilation. Anything else...ask away.

:hi:

[LWolf]

19. I had chickens in town once.

I got away with it because I was on the edge of a tract rezoned as "industrial," next door to an abandoned chicken ranch, from past decades when it was rural. You definitely don't want a rooster in town. He'd drive everyone nuts.

Check your zoning to see if chickens are legal where you are.

Now, to the questions:

What do you feed chickens?

Chicken food, lol. You can feed them vegetable, fruit, and grain scraps from your kitchen. You can let them free range through the yard to eat bugs. That's tricky; many chickens will also eat your garden, although mine never did. I don't know why. You feed them "lay pellets" bought at a feed store, and perhaps some "scratch." "Scratch" is chicken candy, at least, they think so. :D Don't feed too much. They need the other more. A handful tossed down, in an area it's ok for them to "scratch" in, is plenty. I toss it down on top of weeds. They dig up the weeds scratching.

Some oyster shell or other form of calcium to keep their egg shells strong.

If they are free ranging, that's it, besides water, of course. If not, they'll need some grit available. Sand does fine.

how often do you feed them?

It depends on where they are living, what time of year it is, and the feeder I'm using. Mine free range all over the ranch, and I feed them a small amount once a day. That keeps them coming when I call, and also keeps them running around the place eating bugs, which I love. When I had them in town, they would follow me around the garden, and I'd toss them tomato worms. :evilgrin:

If they don't range, or in winter when the bugs and weeds are fewer, I keep a big feeder full, and just refill it whenever it gets empty. There are lots of kinds of feeders; mine hang from a beam, and have a lid; that keeps them from scratching dirt into the feed, and keeps them from accessing/fouling the top of the feed. I like them, but I may go to hand feeding every morning. The local packrats have discovered the feeders, and are spoiling them. Here is a pic of some common feeders:



When I kept a few in town, I would just go out every morning and toss some feed in a pie tin. As long as it doesn't get wet, it's fine.

How elaberate a shelter do they need? How much cold can they deal with in the winter? It rarely gets below the 40's here.

That's plenty warm for chickens. It sometimes stays below the 30s for weeks at a time here in the winter, never thawing even during the day.

Shelter? They need a safe place to roost, and a safe place to lay. They like to roost up high. There are all kinds of coops and roosts; you can google and browse for lots of options. When I was in town, I had a little metal storage shed with no door. I put roosts in it, and some straw on the floor. It was fine. In Georgia, where it may be hot and is probably muggy, make sure what you use has good ventilation.

Here, I have a small raised wooden building with a full sized door for me, 3 screened windows, and a little door for them. There are two poles for roosting, one lower and one up high. They want to roost as high as they can get, but my heavy birds can't get to the top roost from the floor, so one midway up gives them a "step." In the summer the windows let air flow freely. In the winter I cover them with a layer of heavy duty plastic to keep the wind out and the heat in; there's still plenty of ventilation. In Georgia, you'd need lots of airflow year-round.

They need a place they feel secure to lay. If they are free ranging, they'll pick spots that feel "hidden" to them. If not, they need a nesting box with some straw in it. A wooden box, about 2ft square, is plenty big. Bigger than mine. You can google and browse nesting boxes, too. Mine are recyled old goat feeders.

If they are not free-ranging throughout your yard, they will need a small "yard" attached to their coop so they can get outside. I don't like to crowd them; I'd give them a 10 X 10 for just a few birds, at the least. You probably want to roof that yard with chicken wire, as chickens do fly. You can prevent flying by clipping their wings; numerous directions exist on the internet. Birds kept in enclosed coops/yards need their houses and pens cleaned regularly. My birds, free ranging everywhere, get theirs cleaned out twice a year. They need, regardless, protection from dogs. Cats will generally not bother them once full grown. Hawks and owls will.

If you are going to be gone for a few days or a week, is there some way to leave feed and water with them for that period of time?

Sure. I fill up my feeders every Sunday, and don't have to worry during the work week. In the winter, it's dark when I get home, and dark when I leave. I do have to collect eggs in the dark, but that's all. The same goes with the water. The number of birds you have would determine the size of your waterer. In town, I'd suggest no more than 4 hens. A 5 gallon waterer will probably last a week.

And...last of all,since I know nothing...whatever else u think I should know.

Hens start laying at 5-7 months old, and lay prolifically the first year. They slow down after that, which is why efficient operations soup them and replace them every year. I'm not efficient; I keep them for their natural lifespan, and do not eat their tough old carcasses when the ancient biddies die. They will continue to lay, just not abundantly. I like to have at least one or two younger hens around to keep egg production up.

They are not pets, but can be socialized if there are just a few and you have the time.

I would talk to some people in Georgia, as I've never lived or kept chickens in your climate.

[NMDemDist2]

21. I'm in southern NM now (think Texas Panhandle) so it's hot in summer

and we get a few light snows in the winter.

I have some horse corrals that would be easy to cover and they have access to the big barn building

we have hawks, owls and foxes here too

I have the entire back 3/4 acre fenced with 'field fence' that is basically hog wire and would love them to free range.

my dogs won't bother them and they'll be bigger the cat easy

i'm thinking 4-6 hens and a rooster

the rest sounds pretty easy, I can build them roosts out of the old 4' cabinets we pulled out of the bathroom and there is water there and I can store the feed there too. it's at the back of the acre so the rooster won't be too noisy at the house

whadda ya think?

[LWolf]

22. What kind of access to the barn?

If they have access to a stall, they can roost in there. A roost is basically something for them to perch on up off the ground at night. I used 2-3 in diameter poles, because they were already here. Something big enough to allow them to grip and bear their weight, but not too big, so it doesn't collect droppings.

Currently, the hen that's roosting in the barn is up on top of the haystack, which I don't like. She fouls the hay.

If you use a stall, or partition a spot off where they have access in the barn, make sure that they can't fly over the stall door. Clip their wings.

I like to put their nesting boxes, food, and water away from the roost so that they don't "drop" droppings on those at night, either.

4-6 hens and one rooster sounds good; I prefer the bigger breeds, they tend to be calmer. My buff orpington rooster is large, stately, confident, yet has NEVER engaged in aggressive behavior towards a human. The australorp generally doesn't, but likes to sneak up behind people now and again. He immediately backs down face to face.

Sounds like fun; keep me posted!

[NMDemDist2]

23. technically, it isn't a barn really

just a very large metal building. one section is out (about 2 feet wide) so I'd have to build them a pen inside the building. what might be better is we do have an overhang on the east side which is protected from the winds so maybe I could use those old cabinets as the nesting area and keep them out of the metal shop all together.

it would be much easier to keep them clean that way, i could just scoop out the corral instead of having to wash down the concrete floor


hmmmm, I'll have to contemplate that this winter.......