Pet chickens, anyone?
By Gina Spadafori
May 10, 2007
Four years ago I found a most incredible house. Nothing spectacular inside — cute enough, very small — but outside, oh, the heart fluttered. I tripped across it by accident, put down a winning bid and put my own home on the market the same day.
First, there’s the quarter-acre I own. Second, the several acres I don’t, a de facto private dog park just behind my back fence, . The property is owned in part by a handful of wonderful neighbors and in part by a water-service district — none of whom care if I run the dogs back there. From my back porch, I look across a vast expanse to an urban creek and a wall of blackberry bushes.
Five miles from the State Capitol’s golden dome and a mile from one of the busiest intersections in the country, and I feel as if I’m living on a ranch.
Every since I moved there, I’ve been thinking of getting some hens. They’re legal here — roosters aren’t — and my friends who have pet chickens love them. And the big bonus: Fresh eggs!
Anyone remember that BBC sitcom “The Goode Life,” about a couple who decided to go self-sufficient on their suburban lot? I’m starting to think that’s not such a bad idea. I’ve already got a vegetable garden (and lots of rabbit compost!), so why not a handful of pet chickens? At least I’d know where some of our food comes from, for sure.
I’ve been a subscriber to the “Backyard Chicken Newsletter” for a couple of years now, but when the most recent newsletter came today, I thought: Why not?
Gotta get a chicken coop set up. Looks like we’ll be having fresh eggs in a few months time.
I adore my chickens. I live in the country, so I also have 4 roosters. But chickens in general are a passion of mine. Incubating eggs, is an addiction I also have.
Currently I have Salmon Faverolles, Black Javas, Black/Blue Cochins, a red star and a rhode island red. I’ll be incubating some RIRs for my parents and I’m looking for more black java eggs since my roo is lonely for his harem that was lost during the harsh winter.
Oddly it isn’t chicken eggs in the incubator at this time, but 9 heritage turkey eggs, call ducks and crossed bred ducks. A baby call hatched this morning!
My first love are dogs, but birds of all kinds hold a special place in my heart. Next year I hope to incubate some emu eggs!!!
You’re going to love your chickens! I can’t wait to hear what you get. The fresh eggs are to die for and once you get used to having fresh eggs, store bought (even free range organic) pale in comparison to collecting your own and cracking that fresh egg into the pan.
ENJOY!
Comment by Nancy Campbell RVT — May 10, 2007 @ 10:39 am
I was looking into raising chickens.
However, what to feed them? It was going to be commercial feed, which no longer sounds like a good idea for the moment. Any comments on other ways chickens can be fed? We live so remotely that free range chickens would not last a day (cougars, bobcats, coyotes, etc).
Comment by TC — May 10, 2007 @ 11:06 am
Oh yes, do it, you will love chickens. First thing, don’t underestimate their intelligence and amusement value, they are extremely entertaining to watch. I’ve had several kinds but what I got the most pleasure out of was the buff cochin bantams. You might want to consider bantams, cuter, and wonderful eggs (just eat two instead of one big-chicken egg), terrific “family values” and they will do a good job of raising the next batch of chicks for you. I too live where eagles, raccoons, coyotes etc will take a chicken when possible - you make it less possible with a tight house and a well-fenced chicken yard. It’s possible to protect them 99 percent of the time. Nothing is much funnier than to see the chickens hopping up and down in excitement as they see you heading for the sweet corn patch, knowing that there are big juicy earworms in their future.
Comment by Nancy Nielsen — May 10, 2007 @ 11:36 am
Three years ago I moved back to the country with plans to have a variety of critters. Alas, I did have to move back to the city, but along with my dogs and cats, brought along my pet Indian Runner Duck, an egg-layer. Ethel is a constant delight and very personable. While we were living in the country I had both her and her sister, Lucy. Unfortunately, Lucy died and I worried that Ethel would suffer without another of her own kind. By that time I knew I was moving back to the city and could not get another duck and I was considering whether I would have to place Ethel with another flock of ducks somewhere. But, happily, she surprised me by adjusting very well. I think she considers me part of her flock; follows me around, greets me with much happy quacking when I come home, etc. Lots of fun, having a duck (and such nice, big eggs)! So, get your chickens, Gina. You’ll really enjoy them.
Comment by Marilyn — May 10, 2007 @ 12:28 pm
It’s completely understandable that anyone would want to avoid feeding commercial chicken feed and I’m happy to say there are alternatives!
From putting together your own feed with ingredients purchased locally, to grinding and rolling your own grains. Just Google “chicken feed recipes” and “homemade chicken food”.
http://www.lionsgrip.com/recipes.html
You can also look for locally grown & mix organic chicken feed.
This year I will be putting up a maggot feeder for the extra protein. Sounds gross, but the chickens will actually cluster around the hanging bucket waiting for the maggots to drop.
http://www.themodernhomestead......ggots.html
Comment by Nancy Campbell RVT — May 10, 2007 @ 12:31 pm
Thanks you guys - and I am heading to those links.
Hey, given what I am likely eating from my pantry nowdays in terms of contaminants, no, the maggot idea doesn’t bother me as much, lol:)
Comment by TC — May 10, 2007 @ 2:46 pm
Chickens are fantastic! I’ve got a quarter acre lot in the suburbs, so I keep 5 hens. During the longer days, I’ll get about 4 eggs per day. Murray McMurray hatchery has wonderful chickens. One of my chickens is actually 4 years old. I never use my garbage disposal any more. Everything gets recycled out to the chickens. (except meat proteins, which the dogs get!) Then I use the manure in the garden. I think of this as my little victory garden.
I have to say, though, that the maggot idea is pretty gross. They do love bugs and I let them wander the yard on some days to clear out slugs and other bugs. Deliberately breeding maggots, though? Ughh.
Comment by Boutique Owner — May 10, 2007 @ 9:50 pm
I don’t know anything about chickens but don’t you have to have a rooster with the chickens in order to get eggs?
Comment by Tammy — May 10, 2007 @ 10:48 pm
No Tammy, no struttin’ cockadoodle do needed to get eggs! Without a rooster they won’t be fertile, but you’ll still have eggs
I used to live in the country around the corner from some friends of mine. Since they had chickens I used to pick up all the grasshoppers after the first cold spell, as they would be virtually imobile in the middle of the road. I’d freeze them for a winter treat for the chickens. They were in heaven!
Comment by CAthyA — May 11, 2007 @ 5:02 am
Nope. You need a rooster to get FERTILE eggs. :)
Comment by Gina Spadafori — May 11, 2007 @ 5:44 am
Ahhhhh….I just learned something. I feel kinda dumb….LOL. I grew up in the burbs. Can I use that excuse? :)
Comment by Tammy — May 11, 2007 @ 11:19 am