Raising Chickens: A Down Home Hobby

By Larissa Lytwyn

With the stirring of springtime softening winter’s icy clutch, thoughts turn to new life. In this spirit of earthly renewal, many a child is surprised in the spring with a little pet — a puppy, kitten, or even a few peeping chicks!

Chickens, if cared for properly, can become a beloved addition to any family.

Just ask Michael Davis, his wife, Pam, and their three children: Meagan, a fifth grader at Reed Intermediate School, Michael, a third grader at Middle Gate Elementary School, and Matthew, a first grader at Middle Gate.

“We first got our chickens last spring from Benedict’s Agway of Monroe,” said Mr Davis. “I had always wanted them. It’s a country thing, you know.”

Country-style living has no doubt been an important part of the Davises’ domestic life. The family’s Sandy Hook home, originally built in 1783, is currently the site of an archeological dig by educator and town historian Dan Cruson and some of his students. The house is endowed with country-style furnishings and appurtenances, including wide-plank wood floors and a small wood-burning stove.

In addition to their five Rhode Island Red hens, the family has two guinea hens; Abby, a golden retriever; Molly, a 2-year-old domestic rabbit; a small black cat named Phoebe; and her sleek gray-haired son, Willie.

“It’s great having all the animals,” said Meagan. “The chickens make better pets than you would think! They follow us around a lot. They’re very tame.”

Ms Davis said she loved the sounds the hens made, from soft coos to contented clucks, adding, “The sounds they make are very soothing.”

“I just love how friendly the chickens are,” added Michael.

This spring, the Davis family plans to purchase a few more chicks, most likely from Agway.

“It’s amazing how easy they are to care for,” said Mr Davis. “It’s a great hobby to have.”

Many chicken lovers also say that in addition to being surprisingly cuddly, they love the eggs hens provide, one of nature’s most nutritionally balanced bounties.

A common misperception that hens need a rooster to lay eggs. But a female can begin laying eggs approximately 6 to 8 months after birth. The only time a rooster is needed is if the chicken owner wants to try hatching chicks!

If a family is thinking about raising chickens, the first thing they should do is contact town hall to ensure that its property is zoned for agriculture. From there, it is essential to prepare for a home flock by acquiring secure housing and proper care and nutrition

 

Shelter

A good general rule is to provide three to four square feet of floor space per bird. A secured eight-by-ten-foot building in a cool, shady area is a good start for a flock of approximately 25 birds. Coops can be made by hand or purchased through retail outlets such as Benedict Agway, located in Monroe and Bethel.

It is important that the chicken house be entirely enclosed by about 20 to 30 feet of strong mesh fencing. Inadequate fencing can quickly lead to chicken casualties inflicted by raccoons, coyotes, and other critters. The pen floor should primarily consist of hard-packed dirt. The birds will love to dig for worms, grubs, and other treats. Fill the pen with perches, such as wooden beams or even last year’s Christmas tree, so the chickens can roost.

The chicken house itself should be well ventilated with at least one or two windows. The back wall should be lined with shelving separated into individual cubicles for egg laying. About ten or so cubicles is sufficient for a flock of 15 to 30 hens.

It is important that the house is kept warm, approximately 60 to 70 degrees, even during the coldest winter nights. A strong heating lamp can provide both light and the essential warmth chickens need to get through the colder months.

Chick Care

From birth to approximately 4 to 6 weeks, chicks should be kept indoors in a safe, dry, warm place. They should be kept in a large metal cage equipped with a heating light and filled with soft pine shavings or hay. Other good, absorbent litter material for bedding includes rice hulls, peanut shells, and ground corncobs.

The temperature in a chick’s environment should never be less than 70 to 90 degrees. Make sure the light from the heating lamp shines directly on the babies. If the chicks are too cold, they will demonstrate their discomfort through clumping together. It is imperative that the chicks are warm enough during those first few crucial weeks of life. Insufficient heating can impede healthy bird development and even lead to sickness or death.

Feeding

A 50-pound bag of chick starter (from day one to 6 weeks old) costs $10 to $12. Costs rise to about $20 for a 100-pound bag of adult feed. Typically, a 100-pound bag of feed for a flock of 20 to 30 chickens will last about one to two weeks. Commercial feeds typically include cracked or ground corn or pellets.

Note that chickens love table scraps. They will eat anything and everything from cake and pie to fruit, vegetables, breads, and meats (including chicken). However, the primary source of nutrition for chickens should always be their commercial feed.

Water is also an essential nutrient that should be provided in ample supply at all times.

Retail outlets such as Agway of Bethel and Monroe provide much of the supplies needed for raising a small flock, including feed, feeders, and cages.

Buying Chickens

Chickens can be purchased in small numbers (one–ten10 chicks) from a retail outlet or in larger numbers (minimum 25) from mail-order hatcheries such as Murray McMurray in Webster City, Iowa. Chicks purchased from a retail outlet are usually straight-run, meaning they can be either male or female.

Hatcheries, however, tend to be able to identify the sex of their chicks right at birth, classifying them as “pullets” (young hens) or “cockerels” (young roosters). Chicks retail from $1.10 to $3.50 apiece, depending on breed and sex. Adult birds can range from $3 to $8.

Standard types of chickens include the gentle, brown-egg laying heavy breeds. These breeds include Rhode Island and New Hampshire Reds, rocks, australops, orpingtons, wyandottes, brahmas, and white or black giants.

Brown-egg layers can be identified through looking at their ear lobes, located on the side of the head. A dark-colored lobe indicates a brown-egg layer while a lighter colored lobe indicates a white-egg layer. Brown-egg laying breeds also have generally rounder, plumper shapes than the smaller, sleeker white-egg layers. White egg layers also tend to be more skittish than their more laidback, brown-egg laying counterparts. White egg layers include the leghorns and hamburgs.

Roosters are a fun addition to any flock. Strive to maintain a ratio of one rooster to every 25 hens. Roosters can crow frequently throughout the day, so be cautious if you have neighbors who may not appreciate the noise.

In addition to the standard heavy and white-egg layer breeds, chickens come in a number of exotic varieties, including the Aracauna, or “Easter Egg” chicken. This medium-sized, whitish-gray bird lays blue-, green-, and rose-colored eggs.

Other exotic breeds include the feather-footed and crested polishes, sultans and cochins. In addition, bantam chickens, akin to the canine toy-breed, come in a range of clean-legged and feather-footed varieties.

Show Chickens

Country fairs are renowned for their exhibits of competitive show poultry and livestock. Chickens are judged on the authenticity of their breed. For example, a Rhode Island Red rooster, renowned for its thick, blood red comb, is evaluated in part by his comb’s size, shade and shape.

There are a number of resources on raising chickens available in bookstores and on the web. Top websites are listed below:

Murray McMurray Hatchery: Specializing in exotic and rare breeds, www.mcmurrayhatchery.com.

Rocking T Ranch & Poultry Farm: Offers an extensive library of chicken raising articles and links, www.poultryhelp.com.

American Poultry Association: Offers information on chicken-raising for eggs, meat, and show, www.ampltya.com.

Benedict’s Agway: Provides information on home and gardening, pet, poultry and livestock care, www.agway.com, poultry feeding, www.agwayfeed.com