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Edited on Thu Jan-14-10 09:41 PM by Denninmi
Congrats. Welcome to a fascinating and addicting hobby.
OK, first things first -- forget the fantasy that you'll save money on this. When you figure out all of your costs, you can buy eggs cheaper than you can harvest your own, certainly in the first year. You'll have some initial startup costs -- some type of coop, probably a fenced enclosure, food and water containers, etc. It sounds pretty cheap at first glance, but it takes a lot more feed than you'd think, because chickens, like all birds, are extremely messy and wasteful, and about 90% of what you put out is going to be wasted, no matter WHAT kind of feeder you end up using -- nothing I've tried, no matter how cleverly designed, really prevents waste of a lot of feed. And, you'll probably need to buy straw or other litter, although I actually gather bags of oak leaves for free, which are fabulous litter, absorbant, long lasting, low pH so they inhibit bacteria and fungal growth.
I do NOT allow my chickens to free-range, it's just too dangerous with hawks and other predators about. They have a smallish run, about 15 x 8, with a coop within, totally enclosed. I put clear plastic all over it for the winter, which turns it into a mini-greenhouse and keeps it a lot warmer -- I put this on in October and take it off in mid-April so it doesn't overheat in warmer weather. The climate in Connecticut is probably almost exactly the same as here in S. Michigan, and, except during the most extreme cold spells, the chickens will NOT notice that it's winter, in fact, they LOVE it when I throw a couple of scoops of snow in there for them to scratch at and eat. As long as they have a snug, dry, comfortable box to retire for the night, they'll be fine. If you're really concerned, do what I do and put a couple of heat lamps in there, and turn them on when its going to be colder than the low teens. And, buy one of those birdbath de-icing heaters and a metal bucket for winter, so they always have open water.
A couple of other things -- 1) even though some people say it's cruel, try to get chicks which have been de-beaked (well, really it's just the sharp tip of the upper beak that is removed). Debeaking sounds harsh, until you see what intact chickens can do to each other in short order once they take up pecking on the weaker, smaller, more timid hens and get a taste for blood. After a couple of mutilated and dying birds, you'll soon come to the conclusion that debeaking is a good idea. 2) remember that the chickens are going to need daily or near-daily care -- you might get away with checking them every other day if you get a really good feeder and waterer. But, you really should gather eggs every day, so they don't get into the habit of eating their own eggs, which is a disaster. So, remember, somebody always has to tend to the chickens, so be sure this is something that fits with your lifestyle.
If this all sounds like something you want to pursue, it is a wonderful hobby. Chickens are actually very social, MOST of them are friendly and enjoy interaction and even being petted, although some of them can be agressive and ill-tempered as an Austin Powers seabass. And, having a ready supply of fresh eggs is fabulous.
Finally, if your real purpose is eggs, remember that chickens can live for something like 6 to 10 years with really good care, but are only reasonably productive egg-wise for 2 or 3 years tops -- if you don't want to run an old-aged home for non-productive hens, you'll have a moral choice to make about this issue - old aged home or stewpot, I guess. Something else to think about.
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