Talk to me about chooks

[christy]

We got our chooks that we have now from the vet clinic I work at as they were found wandering around the National Park...

We don't have a huge yard, but we have a coop and our chickens free range around 2-3 hours a day everyday. They are around the size of a large cat so most cats won't go them.

If you google city chicks you will find help and information

[Willow]

Thanks so much for all that info.

I was planning on letting them free range while I'm home but locking them in the coop when we're out and at night. I was really worried about the cat next door, so I'm relieved to hear that shouldn't be a problem.

OK, this might be a bit stupid, but i think I'm a bit scared of the big ones Are they pretty placid sort of animals or does it just depend on the bird?

they cost us $2 each and they were 1 year old, which is when they drop from 3 eggs/day down to one. Else they get put down.

Wow, that's so sad We've got quite a few egg farms within 20 mins of us, so I'll let DH know that maybe we should start there.

Kaz - will PM you.

[BellyBelly]

https://www.bellybelly.com.au/health/feeding-the-chooks

[Phteven]

They are really placid, mine are quite affectionate and sometimes they decide to fly up for a hold - having a chook fly straight at you is bit disconcerting.
Some breeds are more placid than others. Mine are Isa Browns which are very tame. My Dad has some Leghorns and old English game hens that are really skittish and won't go near you and Buff Orpingtons that are super tame and eat from your hand.

[Kazbah]

Our "rescued chooks" are very placid too - they crouch down for a pat when we approach. They also follow DH around the yard as he's gardening etc.

It's prolly a bit late in the year for chicks, but "point of lay" are the right age to start laying eggs, and they are a lot more hardy than chicks. A lot of commercial egg farms use Rhode Islands as the male chicks are black, and the female chicks yellow. Plus they give nice brown eggs

There are heaps of chook breeds - pity you didn't go to the Royal Easter Show and check them all out!

[Danni]

getting chooks was the best thing we have ever done! We built our coop from scraps from the tip! Basically latice, star pickets, bit of mesh, a door, a tin roof, a big wooden box to lay and sleep in and cable ties!

Ours roam around the yard all day and go to bed at night when we lock the door. Make sure no foxes or dogs can get it.

We have Langshan hens which are amazingly gorgeous black hens with green feathers, and fluffy feat. they are big girls but very placid and let mason pick them up with ease.

You will normally get an egg a day, with a day off laying every 5 days approx.

There is a website called Backyard Poultry which is a must read.If you click on "info centre" it takes you to their forums which is sooooooo valuable. lots of people buying and selling poultry on there too. Lots of auctions around so you can have alook and ask the sellers questions about different breeds etc.

Your chooks will be great for eating all your scraps. Just dont give them potato peel, citrus, or onion. And you shouldnt give them much meat, if at all.