anyone have chickens?
 

ive been thinking about getting some chickens. mainly just for the eggs.

i have 3 acres so the space isnt a problem just curious what your experiences are with them.

We had guineas and we traded a batch of young ones. For a dozen chickens just about ready to lay eggs.
It has been fun having chickens. We did sell the guinea hens because they were being mean to the chickens. We are getting lots of eggs. We have some Easter eggers and australorp hens. They were all hens but one turned out to be a rooster. He is not aggressive so it is ok.

I have just over 8 acres.

Get a batch (4-6) of pullets (baby female chicks). They eat bugs, run around, are entertaining, are quiet, don't stink (in small numbers). Expect a few to meet a bad end (dog, hawk, 'possum, 'coon, etc).

Some lock them up at night for safety. Spring chicks will be laying eggs by the fall.

Some scatter grain in winter, less in summer and all is well. You do need to stop using 2,4-D (broadleaf week killer; in all "weed 'n feed" lawn fertilizers) on your lawn if you are going to eat the eggs and if they are running about.

I highly recommend hens - and no, you do not have to have a rooster around to get eggs. I prefer the Buff Orpington strain as they are gentle, quiet and smart.

Hens live 4-5 years, but the egg production drops after year 3 or 4. One old hen here is about 8 (must be 100+ in human years).

We have had chickens and guineas for years. Highly recommend them.

Steve

I used to hat butching them. We dipped in hot water to loosen the feather and still recall the smell of hot wet feathers. Yuck

Gotta have chickens. They keep the tics down and provide lots of entertainment. Just don't get into the habit of givin' em' treats just outside the front door. You'll have to tip-toe through the land mines before ya go inside..

I have seven hens and a rooster with an attitude. He's a big boy (Buckeye) and has become my watch rooster. Strangers come around and say "Ahhh.. Look at the nice chicken" and the next thing ya know, he's floggin' 'um.. ;)

I free range mine but have a coop for 'um to go to at night. I lock 'um up at dusk and they go to the coop to lay eggs..

we have lots of red tail hawks, bet they would love it if I got chickens :)