Backyard chickens. Yay or nay? Tips? Advice? Am I crazy?

[maunder]

I have nine hens. Right now none are laying as most are growing old. That’s OK - they are pets.

It really doesn’t save any money to have hens versus buying eggs. It actually costs quite a bit to feed them, especially in the winter. My nine hens will eat about six quarts of feed a day in winter, without having free range available.

Mine live in an Eglu Omlet house with an attached run. I can move it around the yard to a fresh area in the summer and protect the hens from predators. It’s also a very warm little coop in the winter. It is hard to clean in the winter, though, because the trays freeze closed. I’ll have quite a clean up when it finally warms to the fifties.

[pAin_t_Misbehavin]

I started with a dozen chicks and now, nearly a year later, still have eight hens. They free-range during the day and are locked up in the chicken house at night.

They have helped tremendously with the flies in summer (my horses are also at home). And the eggs? You have never had real eggs until you taste fresh eggs from free-range chickens. Seriously. When I visit or eat out, store-bought eggs seem like a pale imitation. Literally. You won’t believe the wonderful orange yolks you get.

And they’re fun. They grow very fond of their human caretakers.

Everyone I’ve asked to take care of my chickens while I’m away winds up either getting their own or wanting their own. :yes:

[Sswor]

I just got 6 straight run, week old assorted bantam chicks. Little cream fluff balls, not really “assorted” more like “unidentified”. I went in for 3 pullets but and came out with 6 straight run bantams. My ordinance allows 4 hens, no roosters, so I’m gambling on straight run but I really wanted bantams all along. I don’t need many eggs (2 or 3 a week would be fine) and the smaller size of the bantam appeals to me. I’ll have to place the cockerels somewhere once I can tell them apart. “Chicken math”–is exactly what my sister said of this event.

These will be my first backyard chickens. I intend to have them outside in the compost pile/enclosed run all season, and inside in the garage for the worst of winter. Right now they are in a 16"x28" rubbermaid container in my second bedroom.

[pegasusmom]

Love my girls - have two Barred Rock hens that are tons of fun, very personable (who knew) and are good layers.

There are several good books and websites out there - raising chickens for dummies and backyardchickens.com are two that come to mind.