Re: Keeping backyard hens

January 3, 2006

Oh, I would love to get some more information on keeping hens in my backyard!

When I brought up this idea to my husband, he was strongly against it, saying it

would be too difficult, the neighbors wouldn't like it, we would need to build a

house complete with heaters and lights, etc. We do live in the suburbs of

Northern Virginia and the winters can get quite cold (even a little below 20

degrees), so maybe what he is saying about heaters is true? However, we have

six foot fences all around our yard and we have a shed where we keep the

lawnmower and PLENTY of little insects for them to eat. Would an arrangement

like this work? What other foods and shelter would we need to get started?

Thanks,

Sheryl

Re: Studies on Long Term High Consumption of Eggs

Ever thought of having your own hens? I live in the suburbs and

have 5, better eggs than you can buy. The larger ones can't fly so

a small fence will contain them, it's mostly a matter of keeping

neighbors dogs away. Lots of towns in the US allow 2 or 3 hens in

the suburbs as long as the neighbors don't complain. They do a good

job of ridding the yard of pesky insects, too! All you need is a

doghouse to shut them in at night so raccoons, possums, etc. don't

eat them while they sleep (they're sound sleepers)

---

January 3, 2006

>

> Oh, I would love to get some more information on keeping hens in my

backyard! When I brought up this idea to my husband, he was strongly

against it, saying it would be too difficult, the neighbors wouldn't

like it, we would need to build a house complete with heaters and

lights, etc. We do live in the suburbs of Northern Virginia and the

winters can get quite cold (even a little below 20 degrees), so maybe

what he is saying about heaters is true?

Sheryl,

I can't answer all your questions, but I live in Silver Spring MD and

had a friend who kept chickens in his backyard. He didn't use a heater

in the winter. He had 4 chickens & they did just fine. Perhaps they

just snuggle close to keep warm?

January 3, 2006

Look in the library for the book " Chickens in the BackYard " . I live

in PA and the chickens have been fine through single digit nights,

so you don't need heaters or lights. We let them out in the morning

and shut them in in the evening - they'll go into the henhouse all

by themselves at dusk, took about a week of training (carrying them

in). We feed them chicken scratch grains (not organic) but on good

days they barely touch it. It's only $7.00 for a 50 lb bag, lasts 6

months or more for our 5. We started a second batch and made a " dog

house " out of scrap lumber from Home Depot - cost $8.00 + some old

hinges we had. Cut out a door & hinged it so it closes at night

with a hook. Hens are EASY!!! They are my favorites of our

menagerie because they give so much entertainment plus eggs for so

little work.

Hens don't crow and are mostly very quiet, though they will make a

bit of a racket if they see a hawk or stray dog sometimes, not more

noise than a dog barking! You can usually buy them sexed so you

only get hens, even with day old chicks. We found a feed store

locally that sells all kinds, but petting zoos sell the chicks too.

We checked with the township then asked all the adjoining neighbors

if they minded. A good point to raise with neighbors besides that

they won't crow is that they'll eat a lot of bugs, including ticks.

Our neighbors' kids just love seeing the hens.

>

> Oh, I would love to get some more information on keeping hens in

my backyard! When I brought up this idea to my husband, he was

strongly against it, saying it would be too difficult, the neighbors

wouldn't like it, we would need to build a house complete with

heaters and lights, etc. We do live in the suburbs of Northern

Virginia and the winters can get quite cold (even a little below 20

degrees), so maybe what he is saying about heaters is true?

However, we have six foot fences all around our yard and we have a

shed where we keep the lawnmower and PLENTY of little insects for

them to eat. Would an arrangement like this work? What other foods

and shelter would we need to get started?

>

> Thanks,

> Sheryl

>

> Re: Studies on Long Term High Consumption of Eggs

>

> Ever thought of having your own hens? I live in the suburbs and

> have 5, better eggs than you can buy. The larger ones can't fly

so

> a small fence will contain them, it's mostly a matter of keeping

> neighbors dogs away. Lots of towns in the US allow 2 or 3 hens

in

> the suburbs as long as the neighbors don't complain. They do a

good

> job of ridding the yard of pesky insects, too! All you need is

a

> doghouse to shut them in at night so raccoons, possums, etc.

don't

> eat them while they sleep (they're sound sleepers)

>

> ---

>

January 3, 2006

> Hens don't crow and are mostly very quiet, though they will make a

> bit of a racket if they see a hawk or stray dog sometimes, not more

> noise than a dog barking! You can usually buy them sexed so you

> only get hens, even with day old chicks. We found a feed store

> locally that sells all kinds, but petting zoos sell the chicks too.

> We checked with the township then asked all the adjoining neighbors

> if they minded. A good point to raise with neighbors besides that

> they won't crow is that they'll eat a lot of bugs, including ticks.

> Our neighbors' kids just love seeing the hens.

My chickens are less bother than my dog. We live in close-in urban

Portland, Oregon, where it's legal to keep up to 3 hens (no roosters)

without a permit and 12 with a permit. Permits are $25/yr. Check with

your municipality. We have four and I want to eventually have a flock

of eight so I have eggs to sell to my friends. We didn't even ask the

neighbors because when we talked to one he freaked out about attracting

rats (whatever) and so we decided the best thing to do was just do it.

No one else has even noticed we have chickies. Also fresh eggs are a

powerful persuader! Hens make hardly any noise at all except when they

lay an egg. In terms of city background noise, the traffic is much

worse.

And the eggs! my god the eggs are amazing. And my chickies are big fat

sweeties.

Lynn S.

------

Mama, homeschooler, writer, web developer, activist, spinner & knitter

Main: http://www.thenewhomemaker.com Portfolio: http://www.siprelle.com

January 3, 2006

> And the eggs! my god the eggs are amazing. And my chickies are big fat

> sweeties.

>

Lynn,

I wish I could have hens--I have the perfect spot for them in the

sideyard next to theskunk burrow--but Ray-ray says, " no. " Yeah, he's

the cruel landlord.

B.

January 3, 2006

I know this is probably a silly question, but where and when do they lay the

eggs? Do you need to provide a nesting area for them? Do you use a special

type of house for them as well? I just ordered the book " Chickens in your

backyard " which I'm sure will answer some questions but I'm so excited to hear

about all of your personal experiences. About how many eggs do the hens lay per

week?

Thanks again,