I've moved to a house with a big yard. What kind of responsibility would it be to have 2 chickens?

Question

Beside water, do they need special food or do they eat the insects. Do they need shelter. Would they ruin my grass and plants? Are they very messy. Do they attract insects and rodents, etc.?

Answer 1

pretty much none. I live on a farm with tons of chickens and they really aren't much work. Just make sure they have a place they can go at night to sleep and throw corn for them every morning. If you forget or run out of corn for awhile it's ok they do eat bugs. They don't ruin plants or anything unless they're edible. Make sure the shelter you give them can be closed at night so raccoons can't get in and attack them. That's about it pretty easy stuff.

Answer 2

There is a feed available at most local feed and seed stores made for chickens by Ralston. They only require a can of it about the size of a vienna sausage container or a large man's handfull once per day, otherwise they eat bugs. They tend to poop all over the place, especially on people's porches. They don't attract rodents or insects. Chickens are some of the stupidest animals on the planet, probably intended only as a link in the food chain. I wouldn't ever expect them to become anything more than yard animals. As for shelter, they don't require much. If you have a large industrial-sized plastic can or container, all you have to do is cut a door in it for them and they will roost there. If you have a plastic Rubbermaid container (about 18x8 inches or thereabout) you can put that in their "house" with some grass in it and they will tend to roost there. When you feed them, make sure it is before dark, since they have extemely poor eyesight and won't eat until daylight the next day if you do.

Answer 3

Check with the Township/City to see if your allowed to have chickens--some places will look the other way or force you to give up the chickens.
All said and done--Chicken are easy to take care of. A water bowl and a low level troff/bowls of grains. As for shelter--best to have when with a door that can be closed at night--racoons, postumes, rats, cats, will greatly enjoy the chicken if left unattended. Hope this help a little.

Answer 4

Yes they need a special food. you can get it at walmart or something, it's cheap. Yes they need shelter. No they aren't messy and dont attract insects or rodents. if they attract insects, they will prolly eat them lol. oh, they eat cerial-frosted flakes, crackers or bread. it wont hurt them. and they eat hay and grass i think. put them somewhere with grass and dirt

Answer 5

I used to have chickens. I had three hens and a small rooster. I lived on a small farm though and had an enclosed chicken coup.
I loved them. I fed them cracked corn and veggie scraps from the kitchen, and I would throw back in the empty egg shells which were, I was told, good for them to eat again. I enjoyed checking for eggs every morning and feeding them and making sure they had fresh water.
As for keeping them clean, I kept hay on the floor and scraped off the roosts every now and then. The biggest mess they would make was knocking over their food and water. So I had to check on them daily.
I hope it works out for you to get them. I miss mine and look forward to living in a place where I can have them again.
But do look into making sure your area will allow them.

Answer 6

I raised chickens on my grandparents farm.. they aren't especially dirty and I didn't see any rodents near the chickens. The hens will peck anything that threatens their eggs/chicks.
We had chicken feed and we would also give them remnants from the rice harvest, they would forage for themselves as well, they would eat insects and small lizards, geckos. I was able to teach them to fly up and land in my arms, they would also stand aside when I came to collect their eggs. Anyone else they would peck at their hands.

Answer 7

Please check your local lawbooks to make sure you can even have chickens. A woman in my city had pet chickens that were like her children and they finally made her get rid of them. Also be aware that chickens are territorial and messy. They will certainly need a little barn-type enclosure and expect to lose some grass.

Answer 8

If you have flower beds they will scratch in them, if you have a garden in yard they will peck at any vegetables. They will scratch everywhere. Chickens like to roost off the ground. If you want to keep them in the yard you need to clip ONE of their wings. Yes chickens can fly. Do not clip one of their wings and you will find out how good they do fly.