I want to keep chickens but don't really know where to start!!?

Question

i have recently brought a new property and have deceided that i would like to get some chickens. i have heard that they dont like to be alone so i think i will start off with two, is that ok?

also the bit where i would like to keep them is at the end of my garden next to my shed, the size of there area is 9ft x 10ft. is that big enough?

also any tips would be brilliant.... thanks in advance :)

Answer 1

i dont know much about chickens but i do suggest you get three chickens and call them , cockel , doodle and do !!!!! lol

Answer 2

chickens are mint pets they are sooo cool

and you get eggs to eat

the space is fine just make sure that there are no gaps in it and put plenty of perches in for them.

Also, I'd dig the wire under the ground about a foot deep cos sumtimes the scrap at the ground and they can dig under!

enjoy :)

Answer 3

http://www.omlet.co.uk/homepage/homepage...

everything you need to know or buy should be on that site

Answer 4

hi you are asking for allot of information i suggest you take a look at backyardchicken.com

and check your local council guidelines and laws  

Answer 5

A great idea,chickens on your new property ,your area should be well fenced with sturdy netting ,  they will need a safe predataor proof cage that can be locked for the night .  Mixed grain is ideal for them to scratch around ,poultry thrive on kitchen & table scarps,also greens of all types .

Ex battery hens have done most of their egg laying while at the farm,if you are looking forward to eggs from your pets then point -of -lay birds are ideal,they will give you the many eggs.If you just want to give battery hens a taste of freedom then you should go ehead.You will need to feed them the feed they were used to at the farm & make changes very gradually

For your intended pen size three hens should be good ,those starting with chicks it is good to but a few extra to cover for initial losses .Good luck with your project.  

Answer 6

I have chickens there great!

And when u have chickens u have to get them when thre little so they can grow up together and get all the chickens u will ever want now

and have them grow up together and they all stay in a group.

And if u get them when they are little make sure they DO NOT go out side until they start getting there adult feathers

And lastly DO NOT indroduce larger chickens to younger chickens the big chickens WILL kill the little chickens

and to answer your question

start out with about 4 or 5

chickens wont lay eggs untill they are 4 months old

when the first lay them they are small but bigger as time goes on

10ft is a good size maybe a little to big

and i let my chicken out of there pen once a day for the whole day and they just wonder back in so i just need to the door

make sure there are no holes and that the top is covered

so raccons cant get in

chickens love perchs! : )

and put a box in the pen for them to sleep

in w/ bedding

hens like to nest

Answer 7

Two should be fine, but the more the merrier (for the chickens at least). Nine feet by ten feet is fine for two chickens, in fact I think that's bigger than my bedroom right now. ^.^; Just make sure they get plenty of light, because they need sunlight to be happy and healthy.

You may not want to keep them near your garden, however. Chickens like eating plants, especially vegetables but also flowers, and they LOVE taking dirt baths; you may find some of your plants buried or completely uprooted, soil thrown everywhere--they love doing it, but the end result isn't pretty. You'll want to fence-in the garden, fence-in the chickens, or both.