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Message
Wife Wants Chickens
Posted on 3/21/24 at 4:46 pm
Posted on 3/21/24 at 4:46 pm
What this really means is that she likes the idea of having chickens and not actually investing the time it would take to raise chickens. So I’d be the one doing all the work. If I do this I’d like to do a combination of free range and a run. I leave for work early some days, before sun up. My question is how big of a run is needed for say 8 chickens? My plan would be to let them free range the mornings I don’t leave early for work and let them stay in the run when I do. Of course I’d have to figure out a water and feed process but wanted to know if that was a sustainable plan?
Posted on 3/21/24 at 4:52 pm to GAFF
8 hens will need quite a bit of space if enclosed. You can do a small run but you’ll wind up with a smelly mudhole
if you let them roam, which is best for the hens, they WILL tear up all your planting and flower beds, and shite all over decks, porches, etc
a good compromise is a big fenced pen. Mine was 30x30 with a henhouse inside. Plan on high turnover (everything eats chicken)
if you let them roam, which is best for the hens, they WILL tear up all your planting and flower beds, and shite all over decks, porches, etc
a good compromise is a big fenced pen. Mine was 30x30 with a henhouse inside. Plan on high turnover (everything eats chicken)
Posted on 3/21/24 at 5:11 pm to GAFF
If you want to let them be in the yard but contained, then make a rolling cage that allows you to move them around the yard so they don't tear up one particular spot if in a permanent structure.
With the moveable cage you let them peck, scratch and eat and their crap will help fertilize the area after you move the cage to another site.
With the moveable cage you let them peck, scratch and eat and their crap will help fertilize the area after you move the cage to another site.
Posted on 3/21/24 at 6:57 pm to GAFF
This is our setup , we have 10 hens in it, combines a house and a protected run, I will never say that a predator can not get in, but they would have to be very motivated
Posted on 3/21/24 at 7:21 pm to GAFF
General rule of thumb is 10 sqft of run per chicken from everything I've read. My run is roughly 180 sqft, and I plan to keep 8 chickens initially (mainly because I have a smaller coop). We have 16 pullets/cockerels around 10-11 weeks old right now, but half of those will end up in the freezer in a few months.
I also have some portable electric fencing to move them out of the run and allow them to "free range" without actually roaming all over. I don't have my garden fenced in, and don't want them getting into the garden. BUT, at the end of the season, I can throw the temp fence up around the garden and let them clean it up.
I also have some portable electric fencing to move them out of the run and allow them to "free range" without actually roaming all over. I don't have my garden fenced in, and don't want them getting into the garden. BUT, at the end of the season, I can throw the temp fence up around the garden and let them clean it up.
This post was edited on 3/21/24 at 7:23 pm
Posted on 3/22/24 at 9:58 am to GAFF
They will tear the shite out of your lawn and trees. Also be prepared for shite all over your concrete areas. I love my chickens, but I'm not a big yard being nice person. If I had actual grass in my yard, I'd be pissed. Chickens don't NEED much area at all. But there isn't any use in just putting animals into a tiny cage. Also to consider is what kind of dogs or predators do you have in the area?
Posted on 3/22/24 at 10:27 am to GAFF
Posted on 3/22/24 at 10:58 am to GAFF
You need an automatic waterer. You will give up without one.
Posted on 3/22/24 at 1:12 pm to GAFF
My son has a few.. he chose a variety for egg color… fwiw my favorite are silkies… your kids will get a kick out of them.. they look like a cartoon.
Posted on 3/22/24 at 2:42 pm to GAFF
WE have had our chickens 1 year and haven't lost any yet - knock on wood. We have 9 hens & 1 rooster and live in north Louisiana in a rural area - lots of predators. Main predators are fox, coons, coyotes, hawks and dogs . I built a coop that has an attached run and automatic door (solar) that opens from the coop to the run at dawn & closes at dusk. I highly recommend an auto door. Third Coast Craftsman has a Youtube on the coop I built and he also has a website LINK . I changed a few things but pretty much used his plans- the wife loves it. We did a ton of research on YouTube before doing or building anything . If you have the right setup they are really easy and a lot of fun for the grandkids and us. I built a screen door on the run- use hardware cloth on the run and door not chicken wire. We use the OverEZ 12 gallon waterer and OverEZ 50Lb feeder , this really lasts a long time. I use apple cider vinegar in the water and check a few times a week, but it will last a week or 2
This post was edited on 3/22/24 at 2:55 pm
Posted on 3/22/24 at 10:53 pm to GAFF
You say your wife wants some chickens….but the only person you mention taking care of them is you! I think you both should spend a day or two around some chickens. They are surprisingly nasty.
Posted on 3/23/24 at 9:43 am to GAFF
Get brown leghorns if you’re planning on free ranging. They lay daily and are damn near impossible to catch.
Posted on 3/23/24 at 11:26 am to GAFF
What you envision:
What it'll really look like:
What it'll really look like:
Posted on 3/23/24 at 11:40 am to GAFF
"taste like chicken" means everything likes to eat chicken, everything.
"chicken hawk", refer to first sentence.
"chicken wire" means their enclosure, has to be small mesh wire, tightly put together. If not, refer to first sentence.
"chicken shite" means there will be a lot of chicken shite, everywhere, everyday.
"chicken eggs" means there will be lots of chicken eggs. It will be fun, at first, giving them to friends and neighbors. You will need more friends because you will have lots of eggs, plenty eggs.
Other than the above, its fun to raise chickens.
"chicken hawk", refer to first sentence.
"chicken wire" means their enclosure, has to be small mesh wire, tightly put together. If not, refer to first sentence.
"chicken shite" means there will be a lot of chicken shite, everywhere, everyday.
"chicken eggs" means there will be lots of chicken eggs. It will be fun, at first, giving them to friends and neighbors. You will need more friends because you will have lots of eggs, plenty eggs.
Other than the above, its fun to raise chickens.
Posted on 3/23/24 at 6:12 pm to GAFF
How hard is it to go on vacation with chickens?
Posted on 3/24/24 at 11:44 am to GAFF
A fenced pen is best. You can find an automatic water dispenser at your local farm co-op. They will also have chicken feed. You will need a place for hens to nest. A little shed with some wooden boxes would work. You can find building plans online.
Posted on 3/25/24 at 8:45 am to GAFF
Chickens are a major PITA. That is indisputable. If they free range, apart from them crapping everywhere, they are very entertaining. You'll just sit on your porch and spend time watching them. They are well worth the effort if you are looking for a hobby. They cost a lot in time and effort. You'll have so many eggs sometimes, with 8 chickens... Free range eggs are the best.
I do not recommend getting chickens. They are not worth the time, cost and effort. I will get chickens again.
This is an honest opinion from an experienced position (many years/flocks).
I hope it is clear and helps you decide.
I do not recommend getting chickens. They are not worth the time, cost and effort. I will get chickens again.
This is an honest opinion from an experienced position (many years/flocks).
I hope it is clear and helps you decide.
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