- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Tell me about raising chickens
Posted on 5/10/14 at 9:03 am
Posted on 5/10/14 at 9:03 am
Looks like I have inhereted about a dozen chickens including the coop and the property and as much as I like yard eggs and chickens I'll be damned if I know anything about raising or caring for them. I'm googling and reading but any help here would be appreciated.
This post was edited on 5/10/14 at 9:09 am
8
Posted on 5/10/14 at 9:08 am to Martini
give them some laying mash a few times a week.
put them in the coop every night.
keep a watch out for Coons and possums
put them in the coop every night.
keep a watch out for Coons and possums
Posted on 5/10/14 at 9:12 am to greasemonkey
Ok. It's in an area with an electric fence and the coop is on wheels. They would let them free range and every few weeks move the fence and trailer to another piece of pasture. Do they not go into the coop at night themselves?
And tell me about laying mash. Also, with a dozen chickens how many eggs can I expect and how often. I'm excited about getting this but afraid ill frick it up and they will all die.
And tell me about laying mash. Also, with a dozen chickens how many eggs can I expect and how often. I'm excited about getting this but afraid ill frick it up and they will all die.
Posted on 5/10/14 at 9:15 am to Martini
quote:
I'm excited about getting this but afraid ill frick it up and they will all die.
Posted on 5/10/14 at 9:22 am to Martini
couldn't be easier
Go to the feed store and get a big bag of layena or whatever they have, it comes as mash or pellets
Get a big self feeder and a self waterer. Let them range during the day and make sure they are put up at night
you will lose some, it's inevitable
everything eats chickens
Go to the feed store and get a big bag of layena or whatever they have, it comes as mash or pellets
Get a big self feeder and a self waterer. Let them range during the day and make sure they are put up at night
you will lose some, it's inevitable
everything eats chickens
Posted on 5/10/14 at 9:25 am to Martini
if theyve been cooped before you got them, they should.
layin mash helps w egg production.
a dozen hens should lay 6-18 a day. ave one aday per
make sure predators arent harassing them at night.
even if they cant get to them the stress will stop egg production.
heres a site to get some basic info
LINK
layin mash helps w egg production.
a dozen hens should lay 6-18 a day. ave one aday per
make sure predators arent harassing them at night.
even if they cant get to them the stress will stop egg production.
heres a site to get some basic info
LINK
This post was edited on 5/10/14 at 9:26 am
Posted on 5/10/14 at 9:26 am to Martini
My cousin does this, he's fighting a losing battle with coyotes right now.
Posted on 5/10/14 at 9:29 am to KingRanch
Otters. fricking bastards.
Posted on 5/10/14 at 9:33 am to Jango Fett
'Round here, it's hawks and possums.
LC
LC
Posted on 5/10/14 at 9:35 am to Martini
As others have said they prettymuch take care of themselves as long as nothing eats them.
Though I will add that if you notice one bleeding on it's head, pull it out and either kill it or put it in a pen by itself. Bugs can bite them, or sometimes they just get pissy for whatever reason and peck each other. Maybe the contrast looks like a bug or something, but once a little blood is drawn others will peck that chicken until it's dead. If the bleeding hen pecks back, another one can start bleeding and the process repeats. I honestly wouldn't believe it unless it seen it first hand.
Though I will add that if you notice one bleeding on it's head, pull it out and either kill it or put it in a pen by itself. Bugs can bite them, or sometimes they just get pissy for whatever reason and peck each other. Maybe the contrast looks like a bug or something, but once a little blood is drawn others will peck that chicken until it's dead. If the bleeding hen pecks back, another one can start bleeding and the process repeats. I honestly wouldn't believe it unless it seen it first hand.
Posted on 5/10/14 at 9:37 am to cgrand
quote:
everything eats chickens
this
although it sound like you are off to a very good start with the portable coop as far as predators go.
Posted on 5/10/14 at 9:41 am to LongueCarabine
Good information. I think these are Holland? But if I lose some can I add other breeds with them? Will they get along?
Apparently they have coyotes but claim the electric fence works. How long will a chicken lay eggs and I'm assuming when they stop I make a gumbo? I mean you don't just keep them around do you?
And a question from my wife. How bad do they smell? Not that it matters cause they aren't in my yard but curious. This is interesting.
Apparently they have coyotes but claim the electric fence works. How long will a chicken lay eggs and I'm assuming when they stop I make a gumbo? I mean you don't just keep them around do you?
And a question from my wife. How bad do they smell? Not that it matters cause they aren't in my yard but curious. This is interesting.
Posted on 5/10/14 at 9:46 am to Martini
No point in keeping a hen when she's done laying, but she ain't gonna taste like a 12-week broiler. Also older hens can get mean and cause what I was describing above. I've never had a problem with different breeds. I had barred rocks and RI reds and they were fine. The smell isn't bad as long as they have room to spread out.
This post was edited on 5/10/14 at 9:48 am
Posted on 5/10/14 at 9:52 am to TheDrunkenTigah
Great. Thanks. Is there any kind of timeline on how long they lay? Or is that just kind of random? I mean 6 months a year?
Posted on 5/10/14 at 9:56 am to Martini
the only time mine quit laying is the dead of winter and even then it's variable
A good hen will lay for about 2 yrs then it's time for the stew pot. They don't smell but the chicken shite does
A good hen will lay for about 2 yrs then it's time for the stew pot. They don't smell but the chicken shite does
This post was edited on 5/10/14 at 9:56 am
Posted on 5/10/14 at 9:59 am to LongueCarabine
yep
Plus foxes, minks, coons, dogs, etc
I even had a huge corn snake living in my coop that I never knew was there...until I kept finding eggshells everywhere
Plus foxes, minks, coons, dogs, etc
I even had a huge corn snake living in my coop that I never knew was there...until I kept finding eggshells everywhere
Posted on 5/10/14 at 10:12 am to Martini
Make sure to give them plenty of room to wander especially during the daytime. Chickens tend to get agitated at each other easy if they are cooped up in a small place. Also make any sort of grit available (I.e limestone or sand) for their gizzards.
Posted on 5/10/14 at 10:41 am to Martini
Different breeds are fine. Just take your time introducing new chickens to your flock. Chickens can be mean shits. As long as they have plenty of room they should be gtg. What you have is a chicken tractor. As long as they are moved often enough then scent should be at a minimum, but as a rule, chicken coops smell like chicken shite. Poop boards under their roost helps. Buff orpingtons are a great breed. Great personalities. My 3 year old son carries ours around like a puppy! Lol
Posted on 5/10/14 at 10:42 am to INFIDEL
Check out backyardchickens.com
Lots of good info on there
Lots of good info on there
Posted on 5/10/14 at 11:33 am to Martini
When I was 11 I raised 16 chickens for 4-H.
I had an inside coop in my garage(lived in Kenner, in a neighborhood). They did great.
Couldn't free range, because the project was to simulate a grow op.
I had them in only 20 sq-ft of space (average grow op has 1sqft a bird)
They did great. I got second place in Jefferson Parish and 12 place in State.
Some dude bought my chickens at the farm at LSU where the competition was.
I would do it again.
I didn't keep them long enough for egss, I was just raising fryers.
I know Hispanics that raise chickens in the city, but I hate the idea of having a rooster.
I had an inside coop in my garage(lived in Kenner, in a neighborhood). They did great.
Couldn't free range, because the project was to simulate a grow op.
I had them in only 20 sq-ft of space (average grow op has 1sqft a bird)
They did great. I got second place in Jefferson Parish and 12 place in State.
Some dude bought my chickens at the farm at LSU where the competition was.
I would do it again.
I didn't keep them long enough for egss, I was just raising fryers.
I know Hispanics that raise chickens in the city, but I hate the idea of having a rooster.
Page 1 of 4
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News