Raising chickens

[FLEA]

I am seriously thinking about getting 3 or 4 chickens(hens) and throwing them in my FENCED backyard just for their egg production. My tribe goes through about a dozen eggs a week and I think this would be a healthier alternative to store bought eggs plus it would be fun. I also wanted to know if anyone here has raised chickens and can recommend a good egg layin' breed as well as coop dimensions/plans. Pros and cons for raising chickens would be helpful also.

[Hercule]

My aunt tried to raise chickens in her backyard and it was awful. Chicken poop everywhere, constant noise, and the rooster would attempt to hump anything that went near it. Good luck.

[V Chip]

When did you move out of the van?

[jrdbrn]

Originally Posted by V Chip

When did you move out of the van?

I think this is his setup... recently drawn up.

[Paul]

Man chickens are evil.

I can see them now. Surrounding me as they walk slowly to destroy my shins. "Cluck!", they say, "CLUCK!" Those beady eyes. Those razor sharp beaks and claws. Those ninja feathers. They would chase me everyday, the fiends.

Mommy.

[OhioSaintsFan]

Originally Posted by Paul

Man chickens are evil.

I can see them now. Surrounding me as they walk slowly to destroy my shins. "Cluck!", they say, "CLUCK!" Those beady eyes. Those razor sharp beaks and claws. Those ninja feathers. They would chase me everyday, the fiends.

Mommy.

That's why eating them is fun. Sweet, fried revenge.

[Zack Lee]

when I was a child we had chickens and ducks. the only nastier than a chicken, is a duck. they crap all over their food and everything else. Like I said, I was a child so I did not know much about it other than be careful not to get pecked on the head when you were taking eggs. Carefully consider how you want your back yard to look but good luck if you go forward.

[kevin from buffalo]

Originally Posted by FLEA

I am seriously thinking about getting 3 or 4 chickens(hens) and throwing them in my FENCED backyard just for their egg production. My tribe goes through about a dozen eggs a week and I think this would be a healthier alternative to store bought eggs plus it would be fun. I also wanted to know if anyone here has raised chickens and can recommend a good egg layin' breed as well as coop dimensions/plans. Pros and cons for raising chickens would be helpful also.

flea..dont listen to the negative nellies on here..be your own boy. i would do it if i had the room and would stay here.you will need warm lighting in the winter nights. my brides grandfather did what you are planning..but he had 100's on chickens. but his dealing were for profit via sales..

i agree with you..fresher the better. good luck and keep me updated.

[wizard1183]

A dozen eggs a week? When I was working out Id buy them by the 5dz pack because I was eating 7 a day! lol And that was 6 egg whites, one whole egg for all you wondering how much cholesterol I've taken in. Do you know eggs are the cheapest protein you will ever buy? If you're trying to save money, raise cattle and pigs. Chickens are not the way to budget. But as you've stated, it can be fun. and probably healthier. By enough wood to build youre boxed pen, wrap with chicken wire, Put chickens in, Throw chicken mash in cage and put out water trough. Its that easy! Build a roof though incase it storms or animals try to attack them. Watch for egg eating snakes that will steal your eggs

[BHM]

Back when my two boys were still living at home, we were seriously going through a gallon of milk every day. I joked about getting a milk cow and putting it in the back yard.



Wife said NO!

[FLEA]

Originally Posted by Hercule

My aunt tried to raise chickens in her backyard and it was awful. Chicken poop everywhere, constant noise, and the rooster would attempt to hump anything that went near it. Good luck.

No rooster....just hens and yes the poop factor is something to think about but my back yard is really large so i think it would not be too bad except for in the coop.

Originally Posted by V Chip

When did you move out of the van?

Still in the Ole Van(tm), just trying to work out logistics of the coop. See below.

Originally Posted by jrdbrn

I think this is his setup... recently drawn up.

this is do-able. not sure if the ole lady would like the fence.

Originally Posted by machinegun arthur

flea..dont listen to the negative nellies on here..be your own boy. i would do it if i had the room and would stay here.you will need warm lighting in the winter nights. my brides grandfather did what you are planning..but he had 100's on chickens. but his dealing were for profit via sales..

i agree with you..fresher the better. good luck and keep me updated.

As I figure it a baby chick costs $2.50 - $3.00 each x 4 = $12.00 max. Material to build the coop = $150.00 - $200.00. Food and water= $20.00. So for around $300.00 or so I could give it a try and if I don't like it I could just eat the birds and burn the coop.

Originally Posted by wizard1183

A dozen eggs a week? When I was working out Id buy them by the 5dz pack because I was eating 7 a day! lol And that was 6 egg whites, one whole egg for all you wondering how much cholesterol I've taken in. Do you know eggs are the cheapest protein you will ever buy? If you're trying to save money, raise cattle and pigs. Chickens are not the way to budget. But as you've stated, it can be fun. and probably healthier. By enough wood to build youre boxed pen, wrap with chicken wire, Put chickens in, Throw chicken mash in cage and put out water trough. Its that easy! Build a roof though incase it storms or animals try to attack them. Watch for egg eating snakes that will steal your eggs

You must have me confused with someone else.

[Oye]

Originally Posted by wizard1183

A dozen eggs a week? When I was working out Id buy them by the 5dz pack

Originally Posted by Gaston

When I was a lad, I ate four dozen eggs every morning to help me get large.
Now that I'm grown, I eat five dozen eggs so I'm roughly the size of a baaaaarge!

[Hey Beerman]

Chicken Coop Plans - Keep Chickens In Style ::: TheGardenCoop.com

[CHI-TOWNSAINT]

Your neighbors are going to love you.

[crazyjoe_devola]

Originally Posted by FLEA

So for around $300.00 or so I could give it a try and if I don't like it I could just eat the birds and burn the coop.

I say go for it, gotta be a good learning experience.