Guest guest Posted May 10, 2004 Report Share Posted May 10, 2004 Actually people are beginning to keep them in the city more and more. Think about it ... city people keep dogs and cats all the time, and chickens are MUCH easier! I saw some happy hens in a pen, about 4' by 8'. I've also known people with small yards who just let them roam in a fenced yard. Ours are penned sometimes, mainly at night, but locked in the garden during the winter, and I tell you we have the best produce EVER this year. They fertilize and eat the bugs. Who needs chemicals when you have chickens? But you could have a chicken or two even on a balcony of an apartment, if you set it up right. " Horse stall pellets " will absorb most of the odor etc. rather nicely -- just be sure to provide fresh greens (weeds are good) and good stuff to eat. In a small yard with a fence, a few chickens can run around happily, or use a moveable pen. There is a website, www.backyardchickens.com that talks about it some. You will have to see the zoning laws in your area. In my area, a chick costs about $1 (50 cents for a fryer). Learning to raise a chick is a learning process, but MUCH EASIER than a puppy. Mainly it is keeping the chicks with a warm light for about a week or two, then the rest is just feeding and keeping it from getting eaten by the cat (if you have one). Once they grow up, they are pretty self-sufficient. They will eat most of your leftovers, which is nice. You have to provide a nestbox, and straw or wood shavings, but again, it's easier than a cat or dog. Mainly we just let them out in the morning, collect eggs, give them scraps to eat (and rolled oats and oyster shells). You can't keep roosters in the city, but trust me, you don't want a rooster. Also, keep in mind that chickens are considered more " expendible " than a cat or dog. They can live 10 years or so, but when you get chicks one or two may die. That freaked me out at first, but after awhile you get more philisophical. You also have to realize that neighbor dogs (or coyotes, in my case) may eat one or two if they are loose. I asked my daughter WHY in the world we bothered with chickens when eggs are cheap enough. She said, " Oh, that is simple. You get them so young kids can have fun taking care of the chicks! " She really enjoys taking care of them now, she goes out and holds them and gets them tame. -- Heidi Jean >what do u mean, u can raise them anywhere??? in a very small back yard??? in te city??? i thought i'd have to move to the country! please say more. > >-------------------------------------------------------------------- > >And if you can afford to buy the fancy eggs, get a chicken :-) you >won't ever want to eat a store bought egg again in your life. A chicken >costs only a few bucks (babies are like $2) and you can keep them almost >anywhere > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 10, 2004 Report Share Posted May 10, 2004 WOW!! Thanks Heidi, I think you said almost everything I would have said. This list gets so much traffic I miss stuff. so I'm rather late replying I think. I will add that you can be creative and cheap with a house for your chickies, or you can be extravagant if you have the time and inclination. We have built our girls a house for less than $80, it's pretty fancy and pretty light. It holds 6 chickens comfortably, but I recommend making a tractor so it's easier to move. Although mine is pretty easy.. its light. We move it every couple days. 4x8 is about right. Ours is about that! 3x8 for the pen and 2 feet deep for the house. But you can do anything you want. If you can't find plans or can't find a web site with one, let me know. Bedtime! Dream about chickens :-) ! Re: Re: get a chicken??? Actually people are beginning to keep them in the city more and more. Think about it ... city people keep dogs and cats all the time, and chickens are MUCH easier! I saw some happy hens in a pen, about 4' by 8'. I've also known people with small yards who just let them roam in a fenced yard. Ours are penned sometimes, mainly at night, but locked in the garden during the winter, and I tell you we have the best produce EVER this year. They fertilize and eat the bugs. Who needs chemicals when you have chickens? But you could have a chicken or two even on a balcony of an apartment, if you set it up right. " Horse stall pellets " will absorb most of the odor etc. rather nicely -- just be sure to provide fresh greens (weeds are good) and good stuff to eat. In a small yard with a fence, a few chickens can run around happily, or use a moveable pen. There is a website, www.backyardchickens.com that talks about it some. You will have to see the zoning laws in your area. In my area, a chick costs about $1 (50 cents for a fryer). Learning to raise a chick is a learning process, but MUCH EASIER than a puppy. Mainly it is keeping the chicks with a warm light for about a week or two, then the rest is just feeding and keeping it from getting eaten by the cat (if you have one). Once they grow up, they are pretty self-sufficient. They will eat most of your leftovers, which is nice. You have to provide a nestbox, and straw or wood shavings, but again, it's easier than a cat or dog. Mainly we just let them out in the morning, collect eggs, give them scraps to eat (and rolled oats and oyster shells). You can't keep roosters in the city, but trust me, you don't want a rooster. Also, keep in mind that chickens are considered more " expendible " than a cat or dog. They can live 10 years or so, but when you get chicks one or two may die. That freaked me out at first, but after awhile you get more philisophical. You also have to realize that neighbor dogs (or coyotes, in my case) may eat one or two if they are loose. I asked my daughter WHY in the world we bothered with chickens when eggs are cheap enough. She said, " Oh, that is simple. You get them so young kids can have fun taking care of the chicks! " She really enjoys taking care of them now, she goes out and holds them and gets them tame. -- Heidi Jean >what do u mean, u can raise them anywhere??? in a very small back yard??? in te city??? i thought i'd have to move to the country! please say more. > >-------------------------------------------------------------------- > >And if you can afford to buy the fancy eggs, get a chicken :-) you >won't ever want to eat a store bought egg again in your life. A chicken >costs only a few bucks (babies are like $2) and you can keep them almost >anywhere > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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