Advice On Raising Chickens? \ stacker news ~Dogs_And

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885 sats \ 35 comments \ @siggy47 3 Feb Dogs_And_Cats

I wasn't sure which territory to post this to, so I might as well pick my own! Do any stackers raise chickens? My wife and I have been thinking about this for years. We're finally doing it this spring. The man we buy eggs from also builds chicken coops. I have many questions and will do my research. I'm just wondering whether people who may have done it wind up regretting it?

I'm worried about protecting the chickens from raccoons and foxes, how to handle vacations, needing to keep a noisy rooster at least a few times a year, etc. We're both motivated for this project.

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41 sats \ 0 replies \ @suraz 4 Feb

We had same problem here last year, a fox took two of our chickens from the coop. After that, we reinforced the coop with iron bars to keep them safe. Also make sure the coop is spacious for the chickens to move freely. As for roosters, it's better to keep just one to avoid fights, as multiple roosters can become territorial and hurt each other. And I don't think one rooster will make too much noise. Plus, one rooster is enough to fertilize eggs if you're breeding.

41 sats \ 0 replies \ @PictureRoom 4 Feb

I took care of my friends chickens once. She had them inside a large caged in enclosure (maybe 6 feet tall, 10x20 feet wide) and it looked fairly straight forward. She had some hanging water jugs for them to drink from. I thought about raising some myself one day as well

50 sats \ 1 reply \ @dough 4 Feb

We had 4 covid chicks. They self-sufficient if you left a large feeder and enough water, a 5 day vacation was no problem. Watch out for too many eggs stacking up because its ugly if they start breaking them. We didn't have a rooster which only caused 1 setback. 3 of the chicks revolted against the alpha ganging up and hurting her pretty bad. We had to find a new home for that one chick. I guess roosters prevent that type of thing, but I wouldn't have done it differently because roosters are a pain in the ass.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @siggy47 OP 4 Feb

That's good to know about vacations. We do want to travel once in a while. Yeah, no rooster for us.

41 sats \ 2 replies \ @OneOneSeven 4 Feb

We also want to do this when we finally find a house, our recent fascination is the fluffy Silkie chickens:

30 sats \ 1 reply \ @siggy47 OP 4 Feb

These fancy chickens are beautiful. I used to check out a breeder north of Tampa, Florida about 10 years ago.

41 sats \ 0 replies \ @f5aa63af0a 4 Feb

👌

41 sats \ 1 reply \ @Butterfinger 4 Feb

If they are many there will be a few even for the foxes and other predators

10 sats \ 0 replies \ @siggy47 OP 4 Feb

They I'll be serving fried fox for dinner that night.

41 sats \ 2 replies \ @Undisciplined 3 Feb

We've also been thinking about it for a long time. My wife tells me that you need at least four chickens to keep them socially happy.

I'm excited to hear how it goes.

32 sats \ 1 reply \ @siggy47 OP 3 Feb

Yes. That's what I heard too. We're thinking maybe six

41 sats \ 0 replies \ @Undisciplined 3 Feb

That's what I've heard is the optimal amount, as long as you have the space for it.

50 sats \ 1 reply \ @SimpleStacker 3 Feb

I don't raise chickens, but one of my friends did. After a coyote got into the coop and they had to clean out the remains, they stopped doing it.

39 sats \ 0 replies \ @siggy47 OP 3 Feb

Yes. That is a concern. Luckily coyotes aren't a big problem here, but raccoons and foxes are.

50 sats \ 4 replies \ @Aardvark 3 Feb

My brother and sister in law have chickens and they enjoy it. They live outside even in Wisconsin winters, so they must be hardy.

50 sats \ 3 replies \ @siggy47 OP 3 Feb

Yes. I think people I know have heaters available, but you shouldn't use heat except when it is extremely cold. Otherwise sudden temperature differences are more dangerous than cold.

50 sats \ 2 replies \ @Aardvark 3 Feb

My grandfather was a farmer, so I've always kind of been around chickens. I've never wanted any because if probably end up naming them all and treat them like pets.

50 sats \ 1 reply \ @siggy47 OP 3 Feb

Well there's no doubt in my mind that's what I will do. My daughter used to go to summer camp at a local farm. She liked the chickens best. They were very friendly.

50 sats \ 0 replies \ @Aardvark 3 Feb

Id name the rooster "Waffle" so I could have chickens and waffle

50 sats \ 5 replies \ @Satosora 3 Feb

Are the egg prices making the decision for you?

29 sats \ 4 replies \ @siggy47 OP 3 Feb

No. We currently buy local eggs and our supplier hasn't raised the prices. Yet?

50 sats \ 3 replies \ @Satosora 3 Feb

I dont think you need to have a rooster for the hens to lay eggs. They just wont be fertilized to make chicks.

29 sats \ 1 reply \ @siggy47 OP 3 Feb

Oh, that's good news.

55 sats \ 0 replies \ @Satosora 3 Feb

But roosters do protect the hens from raccoons and foxes, they alert them. So you have to weigh your decision if it is worth it or not to have one.

9 sats \ 0 replies \ @kepford 3 Feb

100% correct. But roosters can be good protectors of their flock. Also they can be annoying. I've heard guys talk about if they are too aggressive they become chicken soup.

50 sats \ 8 replies \ @kepford 3 Feb

Maybe DIY? We don't have chickens but have friends that do and you do need to be aware of predators. One friend calls chickens, "natures sandwich". Having a coup is a must. Ask your coop builder what they think too if you haven't.

66 sats \ 7 replies \ @siggy47 OP 3 Feb

Our coop builder lives in our area, which is very woodsy. He tells me not to worry about critters. He knows how to prevent them from getting in. I will still worry.

50 sats \ 6 replies \ @kepford 3 Feb

Hmm, he may just not care about the animals as much as you do. What do I know. All my knowledge is second hand.

82 sats \ 5 replies \ @siggy47 OP 3 Feb

He's been raising chickens his whole life. His parents raised them too. He's pretty affectionate towards his chickens (!)

60 sats \ 4 replies \ @kepford 3 Feb

We have many predators where I live as well and losing hens is a concern for me as well. One solution is to get a rooster. Another I've heard of is a guard goose. It sounds funny but look it up.

My plan is to have an automatic coop and a screened in run for them to start.

64 sats \ 0 replies \ @freetx 3 Feb

Another I've heard of is a guard goose

"Guard geese are utilized to monitor the fence at prisons in Brazil for incursions because of their low cost, and the fact that they don't respond to food bribes like dogs."