It has been four months since I took leave of my senses and impulsively bought three chicks at the feed store and decided to raise my own chickens for eggs. We later added a fourth chick.
On a scale of 1-10 I’d say I rank at about an 8 in terms of happiness with this endeavor.
Here’s what I’ve learned:
-Chickens are smarter than you think but they’re still pretty silly.
-They poop a LOT but if you have a dog that problem is solved conveniently yet disturbingly.
-Flies like chicken poo.
-Fly-trap bottles hung from a tree seem to attract more flies than they kill – the bottle also smells of reeking death! (We got rid of ours after about 2 weeks)
-Natural fly predators eventually take over and the fly problem becomes minimal at worst.
-In a hot climate (which ours is NOT) the smell from the poo would probably become bothersome in a small suburban yard.
-Four chickens is too many for our yard. I should have stuck with three. But I love them all now – so we must wait for nature to take it course.
-They have no manners when it comes to tromping around in the pretty planters and pots of flowers on the deck. NO MANNERS AT ALL.
Fleeing the scene of the crime!
-Given too much time on their own, outside the run, they will dig incredibly large holes in shockingly short periods of time. Most of our holes are at the base of large roses or the seven year old clematis. *sigh*
-They will not hesitate to walk around on the outdoor furniture and poop on it while they’re there.
-Sleeping in is no longer possible. The chickens must be let out of their coop and given fresh food and water every morning. (This has been good for me)
I’m not telling you these things to discourage you. I think it’s wise to know what you’re getting into.
How about some more photos?
Our kitty is strictly indoor but likes to wander into the yard occasionally. This was his first trip out there since the chickens joined us.
Anabelle was always keeping and eye on him. They've spent most of their eye-to-eye time with a screen door between them.
He strolled through checking out the place. The girls were extremely curious.
The hens never let him out of their sight. Whenever he glanced their way they'd 'act casual'. Funny stuff!
Anabelle says, "I'm watchin you!"
Overall – having chickens is quite enjoyable.
[...] The chickens and the kitty. [...]
I am desperate for chickens but my husband is anti chicken. Actually, he is anti new project cause I have a habit of starting things that he has to finish. But don’t tell him I said that.
LOL. My husband feels the same way at times.
I love your blog!! And I adore your chicken coop! I love having chickens as well. We finally penned ours in and I sort of miss them roaming free and pecking on or back door in the morning, but it’s nice not having chicken poop all over the patio and patio furniture now. We only have three (a dog and possum killed three of them), but we’re thinking of adding a few more in the spring since our son wants to sell eggs.
Oh yeah. The pooo. Everywhere. Not liking that either. I’ve started keeping them confined until about 5pm and then letting them freely roam about the yard until they put themselves to bed. It’s working out well. I’m just sorry I didn’t start doing it before they decimated all of my sedum, a white bleeding heart, nearly all of my sweet woodruff, and two peonies.
Excellent post about the joys and sorrows of urban poultry.
@ Stretchie – Your blog must be new. I’m liking what I read so far! Keep it up.
Anne – My pets are just like me. *heh heh*
Krystal – I think Lando would have been a hazard to the chickens if we hadn’t worked with him so much during their infancy and toddlerhood.
Love the pictures!
Who knew cats and chickens could co-exist?
I wish we could have chickens. Houses are too close though. Well, I could probably get away with it on a certain part of the property, but we’d have to build a fence. And I think the dog would eat them.
Ha. My peaceable Kingdom is real life.
I think the best thing about friends with chickens is the eggs…. But on a more philosophical note, I am grateful for chicken loving friends because my kids now understand the idiom “pecking order” and what they have to navigate when they finally fly our coop! Chickens are real life baby!
I think your back yard, with the dog, the cat, and the hens, all living together in harmony is “The Peaceable Kingdom”.
I’m so glad that YOU’RE still glad!