who has chickens

Great set up for them!

That's a perfect set up, Country!  So clean and purdy and big.  We can't have chickens either.  

CC

CapeCoddess wrote:That's a perfect set up, Country!  So clean and purdy and big.  We can't have chickens either.  

CC

Thanks. I've read that many urban areas will now allow 2-3 hens, but no roosters. Maybe you folks can start politicking for some changes in the rules.

Anybody grow crops/snacks for your chickens? Is there anything we should NOT feed them? I wanted to give some NZ spinach to the rabbit, but found out it isn't good for him, so is it okay to give to the chickens?

Chicken boredom busters....I really do think I've seen it all, now....

https://www.facebook.com/ChickSwing/

WOW! I watched that whole video from "Fresh Eggs Daily" and learned all kinds of great stuff for our feathered friends. Thanks for posting this, Ginger.

You're welcome.

I also watched the entire "Fresh Eggs Daily" video.  Lots of good stuff there.  DH and I are entertaining the thought of raising chickens, so I eagerly absorb all the info I come across.

One thing I wonder, though, that I haven't seen anyone talk about, yet: how to keep chickens healthy and happy during the frigid winter weather/season, when there are freezing temperatures and snow (sometimes lots of it) on the ground.

Anyone have ideas or best practices you'd like to share with the group?

I just read an article from someone raising chickens in Colorado. They say adult chickens can survive cold winters as long as they're protected from the wind and snow. If it gets down to a hard freeze, check their water, regularly. They can't live without it if it freezes.

GB, Did you read back through the thread? I think this was discussed.

Sanderson, I read the first several pages of the thread, but didn't have time to read all the way through. I'll sort that out later...

In the meantime, this article appeared on my Pinterest feed today and I thought I'd share it with the group.

12 Chicken-Friendly Plants to Grow Next to Coops:
https://www.niftyhomestead.com/blog/chicken-friendly-plants/?utm_source=sumome&utm_medium=pinterest&utm_campaign=sumome_share

It also lists some things to avoid planting near coops.

GB

"A kid'll eat the middle of an Oreo first . . ."

I had a cuke from the garden that had too many seeds to look appetizing, so I gave it to the chickens. Here's how that turned out:


I'm loving the "Fresh Eggs Daily" site and learning all sorts of of wonderful things to make our chickens happier.   

As soon as I bought the vinegar with Mother, Hubby latched onto it and drinks the nasty stuff every day. He swears by it for digestive issues.

I raise chickens in Montana and they handle the winters here pretty well.  I have a 100 watt regular light bulb on in the coop over the roost in the winter for heat and light.  We also use a light bulb under the water to keep it from freezing.  They always have access to outside but on the very coldest days or when the snow is too deep they stay more inside.  The less energy they have to spend keeping warm the better they will do laying in the winter, if they get enough light.  But when sealing a coop up for winter remember that condensation and poor air flow raises the possibility of them getting respiratory diseases, just like with kids.

I hope that helps.

Hey GB, 12 Chicken-Friendly Plants to Grow Next to Coops is a cool article. Thanks for posting it.

Rock, Do you have chickens?

Yup, NH Reds, Aracaunas, and Barred Rock.

Suz, I really like that "Fresh Eggs Daily" site, too.  Loads of great information!  And I easily loose entire mornings to perusing Pinterest posts on the topic.   Have you seen these articles, yet?

http://fresheggsdaily.com/2012/01/nesting-box-herbs-chicken-aromatherapy.html

http://www.grit.com/animals/edible-holiday-garlands-for-your-backyard-flock

and I love this one, for summer:

http://fresheggsdaily.com/2013/05/confetti-ice-wreath-help-cool-your.html#more


Rock, I'm glad you enjoyed the article.  Maybe you'll like these, too.


Turan, thank you for the tips on winter upkeep.  I've been doing some other reading, as well, and am pleasantly surprised to learn that chickens are quite cold hardy. I have a lot less angst, now, about sustaining a coop in our freezing temps.

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For many years, raising chickens has been a wistful dream I had of "country living." Now that the improbable scenario is possible, I'm weighing whether the work and expense involved is worth the effort.

It just might be.  I mean, I can buy cheap eggs at the grocery store any day....but to realize a life-long dream is an opportunity not to be squandered... Right?

Still thinking, but there's a very good chance that a backyard flock and cozy coop to house them, is in my future.

Save

Backyard chickens are not allowed in my city but some people still have them.

http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/ottawas-urban-farmers-cross-the-fowl-line-as-hobby-comes-home-to-roost

 Ginger. I   the article about herbs. Our rosemary, sage, and basil get way out of control. We never thought to use the trimmings in the chicken coop. Today I will scatter a bushel of basil in the chicken area and think of you. 

Thanks for the other articles Ginger, I will chick them out. I have been keeping chickens since 2004. I think the winters are harder on keepers than the chickens. I like a mellow chicken, so I have New Hampster (New Hampshire) Reds, Barred Rocks, and last year we tried Araucanas, (sometimes called the Easter Egg Chicken. This type lays a pale blue to pale green eggs.) The Reds and the Barred Rocks are supposed to be winter hardy, and the NH Reds were specifically breed for this area. I have enjoyed them. They have been a good match for me, they are not too skittish, some of them can be friendly, especially if you spend a lot of time with them when they are little chicks. The more you hold them and let them get used to you the more friendly they become.
The most difficult part of taking care of them is making sure they have water, which means you have to go out to the coup twice a day or more. My barn is attached by a breezeway to the house, so no matter how much snow we get, I can get to the coup which is attached to the barn and take care of everything without going outside. I have power to the coup so I can keep a heated waterer and during the really cold times, when it is well below zero the wind is howling (note, my coup and for the most part even the run is protected from the wind- I have some ventilation but not drafty,) I run two heat lamps. They are secured at a certain height so that they give off some heat but not a fire hazard.
I added a covered and completely enclosed run, secure from every predator (using hardware cloth) except for bears, but then they will make a lot of noise trying to get into it and then a secondary plan of action is implemented. I have not had any problems with predators in the hen house or the run. I made both of them easy to clean and manageable when I built them.
I enjoy them, they are adored by all of us, and they help make up our little part of the world.

I love this!  I am in town, but get a variety of colors from a friend at work.  Glad we have great stewards of our animals and resources.

I have been wanting chickens for about three years.  During this Autumn I have been promised a chicken coop will be built with two runs. Sort of a mansion for 3 or four chickens.  I have been reading a lot over the past couple of years.

Has anyone made a coop with a tile or very cheap linoleum for the floor?  Came across this idea sometime ago. The purpose is to allow for sanitizing the floor for parasite/bacteria/virus control.  I know I could pick up the material cheaply at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore.   So, experienced chicken owners, does this floor sound good or is it nonsense? Thank you!

Hey Llama Momma, I am not sure linoleum would be a good choice. On a small scale, where it is going to be hand cleaned on a daily basis, maybe. But, it would be very susceptible to cuts from tools when scraping and I am not sure how you would seal the edge from getting wet. I am not sure how much moisture resistance there would be as well.
By your description of a small chicken coup, I thought of a "Chicken Tractor", Google that and you will see what I mean.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A home-built chicken tractor, without wheels, built to house a small number of hens.
A chicken tractor (sometimes called an ark) is a movable chicken coop lacking a floor. Chicken tractors may also house other kinds of poultry. Most chicken tractors are a lightly built A-frame which one person can drag about the yard. It may have wheels on one or both ends to make this easier.


I have a more permanent set up, but if I didn't have it I would have a chicken tractor. I know some folks who have them, and they say they are great, and easy to keep up. I don't have one because I was worried about predators, so I  built a coup that works for me.
Give your local feed store a call, see if they have a chicken tractor, if not who would have one you could go look at. When you see it, you will have a good idea of what it has for flooring inside it. That would help you decide on the flooring. I hope that helps.

A gallery of cool Chicken Tractors.

http://thecitychicken.com/tractors.html

I would not want a solid floor in the chicken coop.  Like in a barn I like having a porous floor that drains away moisture.  While chickens are not ducks in hte making of wet messes, they are susceptible to respiratory diseases in too humid conditions.

This little chick is just too cute!

https://www.facebook.com/abigail.catterton/videos/10211030704113452/