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Barnyard Buddies:  Chicken questions  |
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sharlanicky
Farmgirl in Training
25 Posts
25 Posts |
 Posted - Nov 08 2013 : 3:28:59 PM
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How big of a backyard do you need for chickens? And is two enough for them to be happy? I would like them for eggs.
Sharlanicky
from the little "farmhouse" in the woods
Farmgirl Sister #5560
http://www.lookatwhatyouareseeing.com/ |
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nndairy
True Blue Farmgirl
3078 Posts
Heather
Wapakoneta
Ohio
USA
3078 Posts |
Posted - Nov 08 2013 : 5:11:31 PM
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Sharlanicky,
It all depends on how you want to raise your chickens. 2 chickens don't take up very much room, but if you want to have a tractor and move them on fresh grass everyday it'll take more room than if you put in a permanent pen or let them run free. I currently have 5 chickens, but for a while I only had two and they did just fine together.
Heather
Farmgirl Sister #4701
http://nndairy.blogspot.com/
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oldbittyhen
True Blue Farmgirl
1511 Posts
tina
quartz hill
ca
USA
1511 Posts |
Posted - Nov 08 2013 : 5:19:38 PM
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size isn't a big issue if you are not planning on more than a 1/2 dozen or so, but, make sure your fences are tall enough to keep out stray dogs and other 4 legged predators, along with fence tight to the ground and/or buried, also you will want several nest boxes, cause some times the girls will want their very own, and will not share, hand feed 3 times aday instead of useing a feeder, or the wild bird population will eat more you will want, shade areas in the hot season, and I suggest a safe pen for night...
"Knowlege is knowing that a tomato is a fruit, Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad" |
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batznthebelfry
True Blue Farmgirl
1257 Posts
Michele
Athol
Ma
USA
1257 Posts |
Posted - Nov 08 2013 : 7:48:16 PM
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i am not sure where you live or if you plan to free range them so that would help know how to answer. Tina is right that as long as the yard is big enough for a person to walk in its big enough for 2 chickens to enjoy, they really need very little space but do love to wander so a fence is a good idea for the protection of them from stray dogs, cats & kids. Shade is very important not only for getting them out of the weather but to let them hide from flying hawks & other birds that might attack them. 2 hens need a floor space of 3 ft each if they are planned to be inside for long periods of time, its not so much about the room but about the waste they create so you don't want them wading in their poo & waste. If they are many outside a coop the size of a doghouse works just fine for them to sleep in at night. With being outside they will eat less feed so Tina's idea of hand feeding is great but I would recommend a small container of feed in the coop with water for them so they have it when they are in there. If your hens are really young 2 should give you the eggs you want but make sure you add oyster shell to their diet, moany just have a small bowl of it where they can get to get if they want it...this will help with the egg shell developement, feathers & bones. The main thing is having water set up in different areas of the yard for them to get to out of the sun. Enjoy, you will find they are a wonderful animal to raise.....Michele'
Chickens RULE!
hen #2622
www.theoldbatzfarm.blogspot.com/ |
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sharlanicky
Farmgirl in Training
25 Posts
25 Posts |
Posted - Nov 09 2013 : 3:33:28 PM
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Thanks! Y'all are very helpful. We have a really tall privacy fence so the fence should be good. I do want them to be free range.
Sharlanicky
from the little "farmhouse" in the woods
Farmgirl Sister #5560
http://www.lookatwhatyouareseeing.com/ |
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windypines
True Blue Farmgirl
4179 Posts
Michele
Bruce
Wisconsin
USA
4179 Posts |
Posted - Nov 10 2013 : 04:24:51 AM
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Depending on where you live, having two you will need a heat lamp for them for winter.
just a girl farming in WI
Michele |
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sharlanicky
Farmgirl in Training
25 Posts
25 Posts |
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Barnyard Buddies: Chicken questions |
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Chicken questions
