InstantForum.NET v4.1.2Hobby Farms Forumshttp://board.hobbyfarms.com/forums@bowtieinc.comThu, 21 Aug 2008 07:19:35 GMT20http://board.hobbyfarms.com/Topic1259-7-1.aspx<div class="Quote"><font color = "#1F5080"><b>crazy4chickens (4/24/2008)</b><hr noshade size="1" class="hr">I have had this crazy obsession to raise chickens for eggs for quite a while now. It must be in my genes because I have several relatives who raised chickens in the past. I would welcome any advice before I begin so that I don't make ALL the beginners mistakes and god forbid, kill chickens. My questions (the ones I know to ask) are: 1. Should I start small (4-6) chickens or more say 20. 2. Should I get a rooster or will I be sicing the dog on him at 2 am? 3. What breed of hens are best in terms of productivity, immunity to diseases, easy going? 4. What will the chickens teach me in the first year? Any advice is welcome.</font></div><P>I would start with at least 20 chickens and one or more roosters. Depending on where you live and how securely you can enclose your flock at night, you might lose a hen to predation now and again. If you have only a few hens, you'd soon be out of business.</P><P>Also, you'll enjoy a larger flock more than you will just a few hens. One of the joys of keeping chickens is observing flock dynamics--and that's why I recommend having at least one rooster. </P><P>Keep in mind that roosters crow in response to movement, so if things stay fairly low-key in the henhouse or barn or wherever you keep your flock, your rooster will probably start crowing only about hour or so before dawn. Some are noisy, some aren't--it's sort of luck of the draw. :o)</P><P>Quite a few of the heritage breeds would work well for you. To learn more about this, check out Carol Ekarius' "Chickens on the Farm" article archived at <A href="http://www.hobbyfarms.com/livestock-and-pets/chickens-on-farm-14775.aspx">http://www.hobbyfarms.com/livestock-and-pets/chickens-on-farm-14775.aspx</A> or pick up a copy of the Popular Farming <EM>Chickens</EM> magabook. Another superlative breed resource (that rates 60 breeds on specific qualities) is Henderson's Chicken Breed Chart at: <A href="http://www.ithaca.edu/staff/jhenderson/chooks/chooks.html">http://www.ithaca.edu/staff/jhenderson/chooks/chooks.html</A></P><P>What will the chickens teach you in the first year? Well, that those tasteless imposters they sell in cartons at the supermarket are not real eggs--there is no comparison whatsoever with the homegrown real thing! They'll also teach you that chickens are both personable and intelligent, much more so than people who have never experienced chickens can possibly believe--and that chickens are, well, <EM>fun</EM>!</P><P>I bet you're going to <STRONG>love</STRONG> having chickens. :o)</P><P>Sue Thu, 24 Apr 2008 15:51:32 GMTSue Weaverhttp://board.hobbyfarms.com/Topic1259-7-1.aspxI have had this crazy obsession to raise chickens for eggs for quite a while now. It must be in my genes because I have several relatives who raised chickens in the past. I would welcome any advice before I begin so that I don't make ALL the beginners mistakes and god forbid, kill chickens. My questions (the ones I know to ask) are: 1. Should I start small (4-6) chickens or more say 20. 2. Should I get a rooster or will I be sicing the dog on him at 2 am? 3. What breed of hens are best in terms of productivity, immunity to diseases, easy going? 4. What will the chickens teach me in the first year? Any advice is welcome.Thu, 24 Apr 2008 08:16:21 GMTcrazy4chickens