Whether you keep chickens purely for eggs, or whether you regard them as pets, chickens are pretty neat little creatures. Hybrid layers like ISA Browns will lay for a couple of years, but if you happen to get a heritage breed like a Speckled Sussex they will lay eggs over a much longer period. You could even consider getting some rescued battery hens. They may require a lot of work initially but they are still good for laying for around eighteen months or so. Whatever you decide and whatever your reason for starting out on your chicken journey you will find that keeping a few hens might just be the most therapeutic thing you have done in a while!
Introducing new chickens to an existing flock can be a daunting prospect. But if it is done right, with time and patience, it can go smoothly. You have probably heard horror stories about how new chicks are badly pecked and hurt by established flocks.
The Serama chicken may be small but they have a big personality. Although they have only recently been accepted into the American Poultry Association, they have quickly gathered a firm and loyal following. If you are new to keeping chickens then feather loss can be a frustrating event. You might already be aware of the annual molt but what else causes feather loss in chickens? Hi Chris I have just read your article on chickens I found it very interesting me and my husband are very new chicken keepers.
Thank you Tracy Rick. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Home Raising Chickens Does anyone really need a reason to keep chickens!? There are many reasons to keep chickens, both practical and personal.
Keeping chickens is one small way in which we can do that. So, without further ado, here are 14 reasons to keep chickens… Contents and Quick Navigation 1. Eggs 2. Chicken TV 3. Education 4. Sustainable Living 5. Quality Nutrition 6. Pest Control 7. They can develop bonding with you and can recognize us. But they will be lonely in the absence of other chickens.
Loneliness can harm them in more than one way. It can cause stress and that will affect egg-laying. Also, it can shorten their lifespan. Chickens feel lonely and you will have to get at least three chickens as these social birds need a social environment to be happy and live longer.
From my experience, I can say that chickens can be happier with the company of other chickens. Even experts suggest considering more than two chickens to create a proper and healthy environment for their growth. I have also witnessed chickens suffer from loneliness and stress. Many of us might have not realized that chickens are really smart birds.
They understand many things and recognize the faces and even miss those faces. It might sound surprising. But it is true that when they do not find familiar faces around, they feel lonely and sad. They can be stressed a lot in the loss of companionship. Chickens can form bonds and stick together like humans. They love to sleep side by side. This applies to both adults and baby chicks. They will act in a different way when they are lonely and distressed.
If it continues for a long, they will feel isolated, abused, or neglected and will show a different range of emotions. In extreme cases, they can die of loneliness. Any number more than one is ok. But two chickens might not create the best environment for the optimal growth of a chicken.
Even if you are a beginner and you are completely unfamiliar with raising chickens, you should always go with more than two. You can start with two chickens and then you can consider adding more later. When there are only two chickens, they can bond and socialize. However, it will not be enough for proper physical and mental growth. These are sociable creatures and can grow better with more numbers.
At the same time, you will have to ensure that all the chickens have enough space to move around. When space is restricted, they will not be able to move freely and it will affect their overall growth. As stated earlier, more is better. Chickens are amazing. They can offer you many benefits. You can expect the best outcome when the number will be more. However, many things will depend on the breed.
If you have larger ones, you can consider at least two. Chickens are highly sociable. They look for the company of other chickens. They can start a conversation and even alert each other of any danger. They can play an important role to influence the psychological behaviour of each other. You can take a simple example. When a chicken will start laying an egg, it might influence others to lay eggs. Also, when one chicken displays a broody behaviour, others might be inspired to become a mother.
These creatures are motivated by each other and influence each other in many ways. Just imagine, what will happen if you leave them lonely with no companionship. They will feel sad and that can affect their growth. Therefore, it is always recommended to keep two or more chickens so that they can interact and enjoy their company. All these will keep their spirit up.
Also, you will have to consider the other few factors while deciding the number. For example, if you have limited space, you cannot have more than a few. If you choose a large breed, you will even limit your options. You cannot keep more than two. You might need to consider the coop size as well.
If you have a coop for two chickens, you cannot have more than two. But when you have a large coop to accommodate more than six chickens and you can have a large backyard, then you will have the freedom to get more. We will suggest you start with two or three. When you are confident to add more, you can go ahead with more. First, you will have to understand your tiny feathered friend and how to create a friendly environment for them and then only you can add more numbers.
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You should upgrade or use an alternative browser. Keeping Your Chickens Healthy. Author willowbranchfarm Publish date Feb 21, Updated Mar 27, Article Reviews 8 Gallery. Leave a rating. Keeping your chickens healthy My healthy Silver Laced Wyandotte free-ranging! Here are some ways to keep your chickens healthy and happy. Cleaning the coop Cleaning the coop is very important for keeping happy, healthy chickens. If you don't clean the coop you risk an infestation of lice, mites, and other parasites.
Cleaning your coop isn't always easy but it sure is worth it. Start by getting all the bedding from the floor of the coop and the nesting boxes and dumping it. If any eggs have cracked then make sure to clean up that mess too. Then if needed you can scrub any really soiled spots with some soap and water. Dry it then put some fresh shavings in. Don't Use Cedar. It is toxic. I use pine shavings Also if you want to you can use a Garden and Poultry Dust to dust the coop and it keeps out parasites.
My chickens sometimes perch in the nesting boxes and poop in them instead of laying eggs in them. Clean out the poop in the nesting boxes every day or when needed. If your chickens like mine perch on top of the coop during the day, there will be a lot of poop up there. Scrape it off. Cleaning Feeders and Waterers Cleaning these out around every two weeks is a good idea. If you have a plastic waterer it gets pretty slimy so you will need to scrub that with some soap and water.
If you want to put some Apple Cider Vinegar in the water, but only in plastic waterers not in metal. If there is any poop in the water dump it out and give them some fresh water.
I did have some questions though first two are What is the size of the coop? How many birds in it? Is she older? I had perchesed 15 chicks their about 5 weeks old, when can I start feeding them pellets?
They're all females. After 18 weeks, or after they begin to pay eggs start laying pellets or layer crumble. I always kept a calender specific to age. Once they begin to lay you should add granite gritt and crushed oyster shells. Granite will help their gizzards digest. Calcium in oyster shells for strong egg shells.
They'll know how to consume each, by nature. If you do not want chicks then simply collect your eggs daily. They can not hatch what they can not sit on. Other than that nothing else is needed. Your eggs are all good for sale. At least as far as I have found. I have a Rooster, he is the protector of the girls, not only from other animals but he also keeps the flock in order. I collect my eggs each morning and before I lock up for the night I do a final check. I have no problems with my eggs and everyone loves them.
Something digs holes outsise the coop and getting into my chickens. It kills and eats part of them. I am so upset. It sounds like a possum or a weasel They are nuts over eggs and they kill and eat chickens also. Try throwing a few old eggs in a place near your hen house but not right next to it. A possum will take the eggs and leave your chickens alone as long as he is getting a meal.
Possums can be great to have around - they eat rodents and old seed. Just remember he is there and give something to him to eat so that your chickens aren't such a temptation to him. It could be a racoon or oppossum they both will chew the head off a chicken and leave the carcass laying there, very sad but it happens.
The best thing to do is is dig down about " around your coop and lay chicken wire down and fill it in. This will stop them from digging under it. Otherwise fill your coop floor with chicken wire or some small hole fencing you can buy at your local co-op store. An easier way to lay chicken wire instead of digging a trench for the wire is to lay the wire out about 18" running away from pen, then cover with a little dirt and let grass grow over it.
When a critter tries to dig in he hits the wire and gives up. Has worked for me for years. After about 5 years replace the wire because it will rust. I've got some beautiful bantams, 3 d'uncle and one buff brahman, I've had them about 9 months, and they are all laying well.
About a month ago they ganged up on the brahman and took all the feathers out of her chest, so I had to move her out of the coop.
I tried to introduce her back into the flock with only one other hen, but each one I tried her with lasted about 15 minutes before the pecking began. After a terrible afternoon, she's without feathers again and I'm desperate for suggestions I can't have this poor bird spend her life in a dog cage in my garage! Unfortunately, she's the, "bottom of the pecking order". It's a real thing.
If you have the room, keep her by herself. If you don't have the room It sounds brutal, but more brutal to have her try to live through that. She'll be too stressed to lay, eat or socialize.
I have 3 Bantam chickens, one is a Rooster, and I have 9 other full size chickens. I have found that my Roo will quell most pecking order issues that the girls may have. He is protective of his ladies and will stop their squabbling before anything gets that serious. If you can have one that is what I would do. I think that is better than killing her just because she is the one getting picked on.
Ill have my chicken coop ready for spring. I also have 6 nest, prep for the chickens I plan on only having 4. Also I was wondering will they return to the nest after the day is over? No, you don't need roosters at all! I have 4 in my coop, which would never go back in when I first got them, I had to put them in every night.
Then it got really cold and I had to shut them in the coop for a few days, and after that - Voila! They understood that was their "bedroom" and they go in without any encouragement. So wait for a cold snap, and keep the coop door shut for at least 48 hours. You'll need to feed and water them as normal, but don't let them out. As soon as the weather improves open the door, and they will go in and out as if they've done it all their lives. Enjoy your eggs! You do not need a rooster but, if you are allowed to have one then why not?
You do not have to wait for a cold snap to get your chickens to take to the coop either, just put them in there for a few days and do not let them out, then when you do they will start going in on their own. Our little man was a free rooster. He is beautiful. When he came into his roster roll, I hated him.
He is very bossy to the girls. I must admit, he goes out of his way to protect them. Everyday I let them roam outside of their enclosure. He wrangles them up just before dusk, and they go in to roost.
He is terrifically protective. I love to watch him shake his head and make his jesters to get the hens to behave. I collect my eggs once a day. I'm going to hatch some eggs this spring. I have a whole other space for that though. Hello, we inherited 2 chickens with our coop. Raised chickens as a child and starting over many years later. I would like to know if one of these is a rooster! The bigger one is more agressive. Trying to figure out how to send you a picture! A rooster has a larger comb the fleshy crest on top of their head than a hen, and longer tail feathers as well.
They are noticeably flashier, with some species having colorful and vibrant plumage. If a chicken is aggressive, it does not mean it is a rooster. There is a pecking order in flocks of chickens, even among two, with one picking on another.
We hope this helps! I have been raising broilers but now want to switch to layers. Is there any concerns if I clean the coop my broilers used to used and put layers in? Will that hurt them anyway? We would NOT advise raising them together. Hi, I'm Jessie and I'm just starting with my free ranch chickens project. I observed that a few of my chickens started developing a weird behavior moving erratic, loosing balance like they have a neurological problem.
The hen died few days later. Please can you help me with this situation and give me the best advice. Sometimes chickens need more room to exercise. Sometimes they are too hot; ensure they are not getting overheated. Give your girls some concentrated chicken vitamins and see if they improve. Great Post! I had to go through a whole process of trial and error in which I made a couple of mistakes that I could have easily avoided had I known some basics. My journey is not yet over. I guess there are many many things to learn.
A chicken that is over heated They also can have, sudden onset, heart attack and just, "keel over" and die. More common than anyone would believe of a chicken! Fresh cool water, times, daily during summer. I even freeze my corn cobs and let them have at it, the day after putting up my corn. Cold, refreshing and it's a, "yummy pecking toy".
For some reason I started thinking about the way about the way I used to keep eggs fresh without Refrigeration in the olden days After Gathering eggs I would put them in a egg carton and turn them over twice a day to keep fertile eggs fresh. This kept the sperm from floating to the top That way I can plant them under a hen that is sitting and the eggs still hatch but once you refrigerate the eggs there's no use trying to put them under a hen to hatch cold it kills the sperm Has anyone else heard of this.
Also when Gathering eggs you must always leave at least one egg in the nest so the hen will come back and lay again in the same nest for some reason a chicken can just count up to 1 I have even used a golf ball to keep in a nest and the Hen didn't tell no different.
I also remember one time that I had a hen laying eggs in a box and I put something over the top of the box and move the the box with the hen and eggs and put it back porch and kept the cover over the top of the box for about a day and she come back and laid eggs on my back porch I even seen one hen waiting on another hen to get off the nest to lay an egg what gets confusing Is when more than one hen wants to sit on the eggs.. Raising chickens?
Your gonna need water! My wife raises a lot of chickens and i got tired of all the work. Check out this automatic watering system- autowaterkit.
Hi i will like to know which places around gauteng and Northwest where can i buy small chickens to raise. Will also like to know to whom will i sell? Am a beginer eager to start my own farming ,however what i read recently was also educative and can lead me some where thanks. I have land an was trying to c,what do I have to have to start my own farm. A friend of mind was telling me since u have ur own land u can get help. No, you do not need a rooster if you just want hens to lay eggs to eat.
However, if you want eggs to raise chicks, you do need a roaster to breed your own hens. If you vacation, know that you have someone knowledgeable to tend your flock. Start small. Have a Cool or Chicken Tractor built before you purchase pullets. A good hatchery will mail your day old chicks to you. Be prepared to RUN to the post office when they arrive!!!
Have a chick brooder ready and waiting for your babies. Have chick feed and feeders, chick grit, chick waterers and heat lamp. I was once a, "dummie". I have five hens,a good sized Coop, fenced In yard for My chickens,we feed them a diet of chicken feed, mixed with corn and sunflowers, fresh water, and any fresh food we do Not eat,also throwing In weeds and greens,they are tended to daily,we get maybe three eggs every other day,what Am I doing wrong?
Are they new? It can take 6 weeks for hens to settle in. Are temperatures too high? Could your hens be stressed about anything like predators? Is there a rooster stressing them out? Are they actually eating their mix? What Breed are your chickens? Heavy layers lay approx eggs a year, average layers around a year. Breed can make a huge difference on the amount of eggs you get and some breeds lay once every 3 days approx eggs a year. If your chicks are young they all might not be laying yet either.
I wish you the best in your farming adventure. Hope this helps. I am considering raising chickens for egg. I need the basic material and accessories for a foul coop am thinking a 40 by 20 foul pen. I have a barred Plymouth Rock chick that has a growth on the back of her leg that is sharp and poking a hole on her backside. She is eating and drinking and I have her separated from the others. I can send pic if need be. Do I cut this off? What can I put on the wound?
She is about 8 days old. Any help would be greatly appreciated. In general all other requirements being fulfilled, such as a rooster , a hen will be more likely to produce fertile eggs if she is healthy and has good nutrition. Breeder feed is recommended when the hen is laying eggs for hatching; or second best, provide layer feed for hens that have started laying eggs.
For more advice, see:. What a great site! We used to raise chickens when I was a kid in Illinois, but I don't remember hardly anything. Now, I live in North Texas and want to build me a li'l ol' chicken coop, with a big flock of 3 or 4! I want them to lay through the winter, but the summers can be brutal here. What breed would y'all suggest? Hi Rusty, Welcome!
Readers have reported good results. I have a rooster that apparently hurt his leg and has been limping for several weeks now, now he has been doing nothing but sleeping and staying in the coop, his tail is down and he doesn't even crow anymore, can you help me and give me some suggestions??? Thanks Jim. Another question sorry but I just saw a garden snake entering the coup! Small only about 2 ft. But can they be a problem? And they haven't been sleeping in there coup was thinking it was the heat.
But could it be the snake or all the flies?? What is to cooled for chickens. I have 3 adult chickens.
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