Owning Chickens

It really just depends on where you live. I'm assuming its at least semi-rural since free ranging is an option. As a kid, my family had about twenty chickens and we had to keep them in a run because there were many, many hawks and opossums that roamed about. We could let them out every now and then so long as they were under supervision. Of course it helps that we had a dog who was friendly towards them and would bark at hawks and the likes.

If you're thinking of no more than five chickens, you can really do anything you like, just make plans for them to have a secure little place where they can roost and be safe at night, and I suggest maybe a small closed run so they can get outside and still be safe on days you won't be around to watch them.

Were you thinking about getting them as chicks or older?

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>>2176641
>>2176641
Hawks will kill chickens if they aren't fully enclosed, so will dogs. I don't recommend letting them run around unless you're out there with them. If your chickos are having a hot day, freeze a mixture of corn and water in a muffin tray. Don't let them eat their own eggs. If they do put a couple golf balls in their nesting boxes so they think eggs are now inedible. One more thing, if you plan on building your own coop (recommended if you are good with tools) you don't need a nesting box for each bird. They don't all lay at the same time and are happy with sharing boxes.

And for the actual final comment, if you do let them free range put a few guinea hens in the flock to scare predators away. They're very noisy.

>>2176641
>>2176641
What breed do you want?

If you want them more for a pet, go with silkies. They're fucking adorable.

Search for dogs that guard chickens or livestock if you plan to leave them unsupervised and free range though for 2 chickens I wouldn't worry too much about it since you can just watch them.

>>2176641
If they're free range there is still a great chance a fox or dog could get to them, sure they may have the chance to escape but it's not likely.
Like how >>2177735 said, hawks will get to them as well and it's best to keep them in a nice enclosed run where it's safe and still have space to forage about. May even have to put wiring underground because some predators will dig under the cage.
Mine are never too happy about sharing nesting boxes though lol I have 2 for 5 chickens and if they all favor one box while needing to lay an egg at the same time they make annoyed clucks

>>2177761

I have eight chickens and six boxes, yet I've only seen three of them with eggs in them.

startOp here
>>2176996
Im not sure honestly? Would i be able to start with 1 adult and a couple chicks? Or should i stay with same age?

>>2177735
thanks! Ill keep that in mind. Im not an expert with tools..is there some type of company that builds chicken coops (or w/e) you recommend?

>>2177738
didnt think too much about which breed i would want. Could i mix up breeds? Or would that cause problems?

Thanks for responding guys with 1 adult and a couple chicks? Or should i stay with same age?

>>2177735
thanks! Ill keep that in mind. Im not an expert with tools..is there some type of company that builds chicken coops (or w/e) you recommend?

>>2177738
didnt think too much about which breed i would want. Could i mix up breeds? Or would that cause problems?

Thanks for responding guys

>>2177816
You need a broody (looking for chicks, gets violent if you try to take her eggs) adult hen to sit on some chicks, so just buy some chicks.

I got my coop from the Amish, but there might be a few local carpenters willing to make you one. Don't bother with the cheap ones from tractor supply co.

Yes, you can mix breeds. I have four breeds together, and they work out fine. Just make sure they can all survive in the same climate types.

>>2177827
Okay sweet! Thanks a lot!

>>2177830
You need a penis and a vagina to have eggs. Ideally 10 chickens if you want 3-4 eggs a day.
Just thought I'd let you know.
Enjoy your police visits because owning noisy roosters is illegal over 50% of america. Your neighbors, and sometimes the whole town, will fucking hate your guts.

But if you're far out enough, do it.
You're basically trading chicken feed for eggs at a 2:1 cost so I would recommend you buy eggs instead, they're literally 15 cents each while laying mash is 22 cents a pound. Costs $17-18 a month to feed 12 chickens that will only produce 6 eggs a day.

All that work and fucking watering to come out with a $10 profit per month? Absolutely unnecessary. Just buy eggs or get a commercial setup or you will bust your ass for chicken scratch. Literally.

>>2177830
Also I have seen 12 chickens eat an $11 bag (50lbs) of mash in 8 days.
So you're basically never going to get anything from this but anger.
Also they shit in their water so you have to deal with 10 gallons/83lbs of water daily.

Worst idea ever in my opinion. 0 Benefits or everyone would have chickens. Everyone.

>>2177835

>You need a penis and a vagina to have eggs. Ideally 10 chickens if you want 3-4 eggs a day.

Are you currently sitting in a mental asylum, or just an idiot? Look OP, I have 5 hens that are of laying age. I get 3-5 eggs a day. This guy has no idea what he's saying. As far as roosters, some places do have laws against them.

>>2177842
They don't all consistently lay and 3/10 chickens will be roosters if you want any eggs at all.
Believe me I have been through this shit and it's not worth a dime of effort.

>>2177842
>you need a penis and a vagina to have eggs
>are you currently sitting in a mental asylum?

Holy fucking lol.

>>2177849
I don't even like eggs, yet I still raise eight of them. Sounds like you have a feeding problem or they're all getting too old. If you consider raising a flock too much effort than you don't belong with one.

>3/10 chickens will be roosters if you want any eggs at all.

What? Do you mean to say that 3/10 birds will be male if you incubate fertilized eggs? Do you not know what pullets are?

>>2177853
Do you not know how chickens work? Do you seriously think that the presence of a rooster somehow makes the hen lay?

>>2177854
They weren't even mine but I took care of them.

>>2177857
I can't stop fucking laughing.

>>2177858

So you're telling me that hens only lay eggs if a rooster is around them?

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>>2177862
Don't you need to be fucked to have babies?

>the greatest screenshot in all of history

You're home go drunk anon.

>>2177864

Does a woman need to be fucked to have her period? I'm not drunk, I just own chickens and know that they still lay eggs without roosters nearby.

>>2177865
Congrats on your hermaphroditic chickens mate but that's not how reproduction works. Still splitting my sides, this made my day.

>>2177866
They're not reproducing, they lay an unfertilized egg that can't produce a chick. Like how every month a woman produces an unfertilized egg that can't produce a baby. None of my chickens are hermaphrodites and calling this a reproductive process is like calling a period or male ejaculation reproduction. What's so hard to grasp about this? Hens of laying age will produce unfertilized eggs, with no rooster around. If there is one, they can produced fertilized eggs.

>>2177871
Ok you win but that was still a hilarious conversation for me not knowing they produced unfertilized eggs. I got my laugh, but you win.

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>>2177827
Wrong. You can brood chicks under a heat lamp just fine. Broody not necessary.

>>2177835
This is a retard. Laugh at him.
OP, I raise silkies and other weird feathered shit. Ask me anything. Pic related, a bunch of fat shit freeloaders.

>>2177930
Op here, it seems like silkies are really popular..any other breed recommended?
How many years will the avg hen lay eggs? Before she stops due to old age or whatever (like menopause). Does that even happen in chickens?
If one of my chickens is injured is there some sort of specialist vet i will need to call in?
I plan on owing a small property..maybe 2-3 acres, is that enough room for 2-3 chickens?
Thats all i can think of for now

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>>2177874
It's like... middle school biology/science material, what's wrong with your country, man

>>2178229
It depends on what you want them for. Mediterranean breeds (Leghorns, Andalusians, Spanish) are lightweight and are good for egg prodiction. American breeds (Rhode Island Reds, Wyandottes) are good dual purpose birds. Use them for eggs, eat old hens and spare roosters. Asiatic breeds (Sumatras, Cochins, silkies, brahmas) are usually mainly exhibition but have uses all over the board.
I recommend Cochins, silkies, easter eggers, or Leghorns for beginners. All fairly easy to get ahold of and most are docile. Most hens lay consistently 3-4 years. As for vetting, I do all my own. It's fairly easy if you're not squeamish. You'd probably have to go to a vet that specializes in birds, I suppose.
You could probably free range about 500+ chickens comfortably on 3 acres.

>>2179472
Holy shit thats a lot of fucking chickens lol
I only want a couple egglayers. Im assuming 2 chicken is plenty of eggs for 1-2 people. Im not squeamish, but im not sure i would know what to do if one was injured..but im not sure i could eat a chicken that i raised as a chick.

>>2179475
I'd say more like 4; you can buy them sexed at the feed store. That way if you lose one it's not so much of an impact on production for two people.
We keep 8, lost one to a coyote; they're probably 50 eggs in the fridge right now; we sell 'em and share with family.
Barred Plymouth Rocks.

>>2179478
You might think this is dumb but i dont plan on selling the eggs. Mainly because i dont know how i would go about selling eggs.
I just want some adoreable chickens to lay me eggs that i will eat.

>>2179487
I don't think you're dumb; we've got extended senpai to share with. Sounds like you're more in the pets with benefits school of animal husbandry.
They do make chicken diapers if you want 'em to be able to walk around your house.

>>2179500
Yes deffinately. Im a vet tech lol
Ive heard about those! They sound adoreable but i have some weird paranoia that their butts will become blocked with poopy feathers..?
How would i go about selling eggs though? Now im curious!

>>2179507
Do you have friends?
Do they like eggs?
They have friends who might like eggs too!

>>2179542
Shit you right lol
Thanks for all the help!