05-26-2012 at 8:39 PM

Edited by mods

04-25-2012 at 2:04 AM

One of our FEMALE hens crows occasionally.<br /> And yes, when separated from each other (in our case, around the side of the house) they will make a LOT of noise. They also scratch and dig up all pot plants.<br /> <br /> Our chickens get the full run of the yard- and the cats are scared of them, ironically. <br /> <br /> You get used to the poo - but it doesn't mean you don't step on it!<br /> <br /> Chickens are full of personality though- one of ours likes to come in the house and eat the raw chicken meat we leave out for the cats (cannibal much?).

04-21-2012 at 7:35 PM

Google "hardware cloth". A snake and a mouse can both get through a half-inch square of that (heard of it happening with budgie/parakeet aviaries) just to keep it in mind.<br /> Also, protect em against cats and foxes. Wily as hell and will do whatever they can to get at em. That's where a rooster comes in handy<br /> <br /> Coyotes achin to get into a coop: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A20PVog0ra0">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A20PVog0ra0</a><br /> <br /> The farm I know that owns chickens.. they kept the chickens outside in a fenced off square (with a hole in the side of the barn to go into their coop) and had dogs on the property. Aint nothin messed with those chickens

04-21-2012 at 5:25 PM

Hen's don't get very noisy, its the roosters that get noisy. On the snake note you may want to look into "Snake Fencing" as Chicken wire will not keep a snake out. Just will keep the snake in after i eats a chicken. <br /> <br /> Just remember if you're not going ot allow them to free range you will have to provide them with 100% of their food (other than the random bug that flies in). One thing that can be done is you can build a 2nd housing that you put the chickens in durring the day that is moveable so you can move it around your yard to allow them some simulated free range. Just if you leave it in one spot for to long (no idea how long that is, it would depend on how big the enclosure is, some testing would be needed) they will probably destroy that patch of yard.

04-21-2012 at 9:32 AM

The first thing I did when I started thinking about this was check out the legality - turns out I can have 6 hens, no roosters, and the coop has to be 25 feet away from the nearest house (not a problem) - I'm only thinking about having 3 or 4 hens. I worked up a (very poorly drawn xD) design for a <a href="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/s720x720/576078_3108064145965_699926596_n.jpg">coop</a> using an old swingset/fort thing we have. The fort part is 5' x 5' and about 6' high (well, 12' total, but the part I'd use as the coop is 6'). The run is probably about 8' high and maybe 12' long - I haven't measured. Sadly I wouldn't be comfortable giving them free-range time outside the run - this area is pretty well swarming with hawks and owls and fox and coyotes (I think - I've heard the calls, but I've never seen them) not to mention a variety of snakes that would probably just love a chicken or egg snack.<br /> <br /> How noisy can they get, Raezy? We live near woods, so there's a lot of bird and animal noise around. My closest neighbor also has children who scream and yell constantly - they have no right to be bothered by little hen noises. xD And I suppose I could always offer free eggs to my neighbors to appease them...haha

04-21-2012 at 6:52 AM

Yeah.. and make 100% positive it is legal to keep chickens (and how many) in your backyard as pets. Make sure to check out the housing requirements and everything too. I know in my city it's illegal to keep em as pets :C

04-21-2012 at 12:09 AM

They're great if you raise them from chicks yourself...they follow you around like little dogs. Also, the eggs are fantastic! They can, however, get very loud at times...so if you have neighbors who might get mad over that kind of thing you could have some trouble. They also will eat all kinds of bugs and even MICE or lizards, etc, if they're around. Nice pest control...lol.

04-20-2012 at 8:17 PM

Yaeh that should be cool. Also, birds can sometimes get bites and I'm learning myself that the medication is <i>expensive</i>. I've found a 50ml bottle for $30 on eBay for my birds (for preemptive measures) and it's just crazy.<br /> However, I do believe you'd be able to purchase that kinda stuff (ivermectin, for example) for real cheap for chickens at your local feed or farm store... I, unfortunately, don't have one near me.<br /> They also need a very miniscule, precise amount or it could be fatal.<br /> <br /> Birds are very sensitive animals who can hide their illnesses like experts.

04-20-2012 at 4:05 PM

Yeah, the poo is something I definitely wouldn't be looking forward to. But from what I read, you can use sand as a bedding and rake every day - doesn't seem like <i>too</i> much work, especially if I only get 3 hens...

04-20-2012 at 6:03 AM

I've never owned none myself but I know people who have. They tend to be "dirty" in their coops. But that I mean.. their poop, their feathers, their feather "dust", etc.