OT: Chickens - Pros vs Cons (Now with bees!)

[rurichdog]

We just need more chickens. Maybe keep them at the RAC in the off season, then off to the butcher's to pay for new recruits NIL

Cook campus

 

[DHajekRC84]

Pullet is the term for a female teenage chicken, while a male teenage chicken is called a cockerel. Between 5-7 weeks, you should be able to begin visually distinguishing males from females. Compared to pullets, the combs and wattles of cockerels often develop earlier and are usually larger.
Had to look the word up, LMAO.

you set me up but I'll take the high road here.

 

[Knight Shift]

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/act-god-type-stuff-trade-163000136.html

 

[Eagleton95.99]

I had a small flock of chickens in Highland Park. Not too much work most of the time. But when **** goes sideways every now and then you have to be on it.

Overall was worth it. Every town has different rules so start there. Most suburban/urban towns don’t allow roosters due to noise. Some consider a coop a structure and have rules on that like setbacks on property lines.

Buy chickens from reputable people. Lots of backyard breeders that sell rando birds marketed as a specific breed that they aren’t. Or that say they sexed the chicks but didn’t.

Couple random thoughts:

Who will take care of the birds while you are away? You can’t drop them at the kennel.

When it freezes you need to bring fresh water 2x a day or have a water heater.

 

[GoodOl'Rutgers]

I'm looking to get hens for egg laying, not roosters.

 

[Jm0513]

Pretty easy to care for. Our 50 do free range so it's even easier.

-You can make a self-feeder out of 4" schedule 40. I have six tubes, a bag of feed a week and you're done there.
-Check water daily.
- Make sure your chicken coop has big doors for easy access. Winter time it's usually once every two weeks to clean, summertime even longer. Have a cart and snow shovel put it into mulch pile.
-Don't get one of those stupid automatic doors for the chicken coop, chickens know when it's time to go out or come in.
-Roosters get the axe, we have one named Lucky. He's lucky because he was the only Rooster who didn't crow.
-Have a sick bird axe it, it could wipe out your whole flock. These are chickens not your pet dog. just buy another one.
-Don't overcrowd, if not free ranging they will peck at each other to serious injury or death.
-You will never throw food out again. Have scraps, bread about to go bad leftovers you're going to throw out give it to your little Raptors they're not vegetarians and will eat anything except kale.
-The eggs will last weeks in your garage, the film which protects the embryo has not been washed off.

The eggs are far superior to anything you get in the store. You're not pumping artificial light to make them lay more. Also, the Free Range/ brown eggs in the store are a waste of money. They don't free range and the brown color just comes from a certain type of chicken.

Vital Farms eggs were almost 8 dollars last time I bought them. Thank you. Now I know better than to waste money on them.

 

[RU4Real]

Vital Farms eggs were almost 8 dollars last time I bought them. Thank you. Now I know better than to waste money on them.

If you're nice to me, I'll give you eggs.

 

[Knight Shift]

If you're nice to me, I'll give you eggs.

Not sure if it still applies, but @koleszar very kindly gave us some eggs when he quoted us for some masonry work. Maybe we need to rip up our old asphalt driveway and replace it with concrete. It may be cheaper than buying eggs at Shop Rite.

 

[mildone_rivals]

Cook campus

The whole campus? Or can we freeze some and cook it later?

 

[DJ Spanky]

The whole campus? Or can we freeze some and cook it later?

Check out mildone flaunting the dad jokes!

 

[mildone_rivals]

Check out mildone flaunting the dad jokes!

Bad dad jokes are my bag, baby.

 

[koleszar]

Not sure if it still applies, but @koleszar very kindly gave us some eggs when he quoted us for some masonry work. Maybe we need to rip up our old asphalt driveway and replace it with concrete. It may be cheaper than buying eggs at Shop Rite.

You were lucky it was summertime, winter we're lucky to get an egg a day. My girls are older now and were picked for looks and egg color rather than laying ability. We have the full spectrum of egg colors. No Easter egg decorating required. Now we've become exclusive providers to two women body builders. They wipe us out a lot of weeks. It's amazing the amount of eggs they go through.

Vital Farms eggs were almost 8 dollars last time I bought them. Thank you. Now I know better than to waste money on them.

We used to buy them too when egg production ran low. Then we found out through the backyard chicken mafia what they really do. Brown color we knew just from experience. "Free Range" to qualify for that, they build a 10' x 10' fenced enclosure outside the barn for 100's of chickens. The chickens never go outside because they don't leave the feed line and even if they did it's not really free ranging. They're a waste of money.

 

[Knight Shift]

You were lucky it was summertime, winter we're lucky to get an egg a day. My girls are older now and were picked for looks and egg color rather than laying ability. We have the full spectrum of egg colors. No Easter egg decorating required. Now we've become exclusive providers to two women body builders. They wipe us out a lot of weeks. It's amazing the amount of eggs they go through.

#So true on looks and laying ability. They rarely correlate in many areas of life.

But did you pick the two women bodybuilders on looks, laying ability or both?

We pick our masons based on their BRICKlaying ability. I have referred many to you, and don't know if they called. Still in awe with how clean they left the job site. It was cleaner on the ground than before they started.

 

[DJ Spanky]

We pick our masons based on their BRICKlaying ability.

So the bricks were satisfied?

 

[Knight Shift]

So the bricks were satisfied?

They were smoking cigarettes at the end of the job.

 

[BellyFullOfWhiteDogCrap]

You were lucky it was summertime, winter we're lucky to get an egg a day. My girls are older now and were picked for looks and egg color rather than laying ability. We have the full spectrum of egg colors. No Easter egg decorating required. Now we've become exclusive providers to two women body builders. They wipe us out a lot of weeks. It's amazing the amount of eggs they go through.


We used to buy them too when egg production ran low. Then we found out through the backyard chicken mafia what they really do. Brown color we knew just from experience. "Free Range" to qualify for that, they build a 10' x 10' fenced enclosure outside the barn for 100's of chickens. The chickens never go outside because they don't leave the feed line and even if they did it's not really free ranging. They're a waste of money.

Great point about the "free range" label. All that means is the birds are not confined to a single laying box for their entire life. The population density of many "free range" operations is appalling. I suppose "pasture raised" is better since that label requires the birds have some outdoor exposure, but not sure of the population density requirement, or if there even is one.

 

[NickRU714]

Should I ask my question about backyard honeybees here or start a new thread?

 

[dconifer0]

I don't expect it to be a big money saving thing.

High quality eggs in the supermarket are currently running $7 to $8 / dozen. Figure the quick start route of a coop ($500) and a few started pullets ($30 each) plus straw and feed, you're probably looking at $750 the first year to collect 300 eggs from the 3 aforementioned pullets, which should start laying 2 - 3 months after acquiring them. It's a losing proposition in Year 1 and probably about breakeven after that.

But regardless of the expense, I would have the satisfaction of not putting anymore money in the pockets of Big Egg.

You are today's winner...

 

[koleszar]

#So true on looks and laying ability. They rarely correlate in many areas of life.

But did you pick the two women bodybuilders on looks, laying ability or both?

We pick our masons based on their BRICKlaying ability. I have referred many to you, and don't know if they called. Still in awe with how clean they left the job site. It was cleaner on the ground than before they started.

Body building is probably the wrong term. These women are more into fitness stage competitions. They're not all roided out man looking. They're both quite attractive. One teaches my wife's Zumba classes and the other she does some personal training with. I have been known to rush to the door to be first when they come and get their eggs.

 

[CERU00]

You were lucky it was summertime, winter we're lucky to get an egg a day. My girls are older now and were picked for looks and egg color rather than laying ability. We have the full spectrum of egg colors. No Easter egg decorating required. Now we've become exclusive providers to two women body builders. They wipe us out a lot of weeks. It's amazing the amount of eggs they go through.


We used to buy them too when egg production ran low. Then we found out through the backyard chicken mafia what they really do. Brown color we knew just from experience. "Free Range" to qualify for that, they build a 10' x 10' fenced enclosure outside the barn for 100's of chickens. The chickens never go outside because they don't leave the feed line and even if they did it's not really free ranging. They're a waste of money.

We get our organic egss from costco. And I've always assumed that most sellers feed their hens yellow dye or daisies to make their yolks look a very bright shade of yellow.

IMO, the biggest pro argument is that you know what's in your eggs since you control their feed.

 

[RU4Real]

Should I ask my question about backyard honeybees here or start a new thread?

I'd be happy to change the thread title to include bees, since we've been looking at that, as well.

Ultimately what's driven my decision to (at least for now) not get bees is that the only place to locate a hive, per the NJ state guidelines, puts it about 25' from the deep end of my pool and I'm not certain that's enough of a buffer to guarantee not aggravating the hive.

 

[koleszar]

We get our organic egss from costco. And I've always assumed that most sellers feed their hens yellow dye or daisies to make their yolks look a very bright shade of yellow.

IMO, the biggest pro argument is that you know what's in your eggs since you control their feed.

My eggs yolks are orange. First time I made scrambled eggs it looked like Tang, it was kind of freaky. The pale yellow comes from a lack of sunlight, insects and grain feed. I don't have marigolds(another way to turn them orange) on my farm, they just eat organic feed and whatever insects and pesticide free grass. A lot of sellers have tried to fool people by putting marigolds(carotenoids) in the feed.

 

[MoreCowbellRU]

I'm looking to get hens for egg laying, not roosters.

Depends on your chicken's pronouns

 

[MoreCowbellRU]

I'm probably gonna get a few chickens soon. Have a friend close by who has a bunch and gives me eggs but I think it will be cool to raise some. Biggest threat by me is hawks. I'll probably make a small tractor(movable ground cage) so I can let them be in different parts of the yard.

My neighbor at the place in the mountains gave up after too many mornings of blood and feathers. Sucks because we would be given a dozen upon arrival for a weekend. Biggest offender was a bobcat that is now mounted in his living room.

 

[RU848789]

For me, my only interest is time. At 60, I have no interest in investing time in chickens or eggs or bees, as I don't have that many years left, relatively speaking, so I only want to spend time doing really important things. Like posting on internet message boards.

 

[BellyFullOfWhiteDogCrap]

I'm probably gonna get a few chickens soon. Have a friend close by who has a bunch and gives me eggs but I think it will be cool to raise some. Biggest threat by me is hawks. I'll probably make a small tractor(movable ground cage) so I can let them be in different parts of the yard.

My neighbor at the place in the mountains gave up after too many mornings of blood and feathers. Sucks because we would be given a dozen upon arrival for a weekend. Biggest offender was a bobcat that is now mounted in his living room.

A mobile shelter is the best way to go IMO. The birds will leave the ground bare if left in the same place for too long and odors can accumulate unless you're using deep, continuous bedding. I move mine every day in fall, summer, and spring. In winter I keep them in the same place , close to the house and give them access to under my deck. This makes for easy access for egg gathering and snow removal if necessary. Use the DEEP, DEEP bedding method if you're keeping them in the same place. (Look up Joel Salatin). I use fall leaves. By spring, the leaves and manure become the most glorious compost. And adding new leaves every week or so keeps the girls busy scratching and pecking. The winter shelter ground then becomes a sunflower garden in the spring and summer.

Chickens can become bored. That's where bullying starts, and they can be brutal to each other. Keep them busy. As @koleszar stated, they're little raptors, let them express their natural instincts and behaviors. That's the most important piece of advice I can give for happy chickens. They belong on open ground, scratching and pecking all day long.

Chickens will transform your landscape for the better if you manage them properly. I can't think of a better, natural soil amendment than chicken manure. Eliminate all synthetic applications to your lawn. You don't need them.

Check Facebook marketplace for used coops and/or mobile shelters. Very good deals can be found.

Your mountain neighbor sounds like a terrible chicken owner. I hold no ill will towards the hawks and falcons that want to devour my birds, and would never deliberately harm a predator. It's my job to protect them, and my failure if I don't.

 

[mildone_rivals]

My neighbor at the place in the mountains gave up after too many mornings of blood and feathers. Sucks because we would be given a dozen upon arrival for a weekend. Biggest offender was a bobcat that is now mounted in his living room.

It can see where it would suck not to get the dozen eggs anymore. But I have to think it sucked worse for the bobcat that's mounted on the wall in the dude's living room.

 

[MoreCowbellRU]

It can see where it would suck not to get the dozen eggs anymore. But I have to think it sucked worse for the bobcat that's mounted on the wall in the dude's living room.

Definitely didn't work out for the bobcat.
Is he supposed to let it kill his chickens and possibly his dogs? Should we not shoot the coyotes that are doing the same? Even stalking small children. If you have no exposure to real harmful wildlife, you can't judge how others handle it. I guess you just let mice run wild in your house eating whatever they want right?
The best is when folks scream "no bear hunts!!" , then are shocked when one smashes through their slider to get the garbage can inside. "Something has to be done!"

 

[MoreCowbellRU]

A mobile shelter is the best way to go IMO. The birds will leave the ground bare if left in the same place for too long and odors can accumulate unless you're using deep, continuous bedding. I move mine every day in fall, summer, and spring. In winter I keep them in the same place , close to the house and give them access to under my deck. This makes for easy access for egg gathering and snow removal if necessary. Use the DEEP, DEEP bedding method if you're keeping them in the same place. (Look up Joel Salatin). I use fall leaves. By spring, the leaves and manure become the most glorious compost. And adding new leaves every week or so keeps the girls busy scratching and pecking. The winter shelter ground then becomes a sunflower garden in the spring and summer.

Chickens can become bored. That's where bullying starts, and they can be brutal to each other. Keep them busy. As @koleszar stated, they're little raptors, let them express their natural instincts and behaviors. That's the most important piece of advice I can give for happy chickens. They belong on open ground, scratching and pecking all day long.

Chickens will transform your landscape for the better if you manage them properly. I can't think of a better, natural soil amendment than chicken manure. Eliminate all synthetic applications to your lawn. You don't need them.

Check Facebook marketplace for used coops and/or mobile shelters. Very good deals can be found.

Your mountain neighbor sounds like a terrible chicken owner. I hold no ill will towards the hawks and falcons that want to devour my birds, and would never deliberately harm a predator. It's my job to protect them, and my failure if I don't.

Great advice. I saw a documentary about a rancher in Mexico that transformed desert into grassland simply by penning cattle and feeding them for a season then moving the pen and letting nature take its course. Absolutely amazing.
I can build and fab just about anything so pens, coups etc won't be an issue.

If you saw the lengths my neighbor went through with protection before taking out the bobcat you'd understand. Foxes, coyotes and raccoons are just as persistant. When you are surrounded by woods and fields (think 3 houses and a couple hundred acres) the bench is pretty deep for varmints. 99% of rural folks are the biggest conservationists you'll ever meet. But you have to draw a line at attacking things around your house. I don't allow my dog to wander out of the back lights when I let him out at night while there. Different world than coastal NJ.

 

[mildone_rivals]

Definitely didn't work out for the bobcat.
Is he supposed to let it kill his chickens and possibly his dogs? Should we not shoot the coyotes that are doing the same? Even stalking small children. If you have no exposure to real harmful wildlife, you can't judge how others handle it. I guess you just let mice run wild in your house eating whatever they want right?
The best is when folks scream "no bear hunts!!" , then are shocked when one smashes through their slider to get the garbage can inside. "Something has to be done!"

Holy fabricated extrapolation, Batman! I voiced no opinion whatsoever about what he, whom I do not know, should or shouldn't do on his own land. I did no judging of anybody in my post.

I was merely pointed out that the bobcat's day really sucked. Poor guy (I'm assuming he's a guy since his name is "Bob") had just finished a nice healthy and delicious high protein meal, was laying back to digest, Netflix and chill, and suddenly BLAM! No more bobcat.

I never scream "no hunts" of any kind. Actually, I am a proponent of putting death row inmates in an enclosed thousand acre compounds and then letting people purchase (very expensive) hunting permits to hunt and kill them. We can use the profits from that operation to pay for the costs of all the non-death-row inmates. Rather than using income or property taxes.

 

[RU4Real]

Holy fabricated extrapolation, Batman! I voiced no opinion whatsoever about what he, whom I do not know, should or shouldn't do on his own land. I did no judging of anybody in my post.

I was merely pointed out that the bobcat's day really sucked. Poor guy (I'm assuming he's a guy since his name is "Bob") had just finished a nice healthy and delicious high protein meal, was laying back to digest, Netflix and chill, and suddenly BLAM! No more bobcat.

I never scream "no hunts" of any kind. Actually, I am a proponent of putting death row inmates in an enclosed thousand acre compounds and then letting people purchase (very expensive) hunting permits to hunt and kill them. We can use the profits from that operation to pay for the costs of all the non-death-row inmates. Rather than using income or property taxes.

"Imagine you're a deer. You're prancing around. You get thirsty. You spot a little brook. You put your little deer lips down to the cool, clear water - BAM. A f*ckin' bullet rips off part of your head. Your brains are lying on the ground in little bloody pieces. Now I ask you, do you give a f*ck what kind of pants the son-of-a-b*tch who shot you was wearing?"

 

[MoreCowbellRU]

Holy fabricated extrapolation, Batman! I voiced no opinion whatsoever about what he, whom I do not know, should or shouldn't do on his own land. I did no judging of anybody in my post.

I was merely pointed out that the bobcat's day really sucked. Poor guy (I'm assuming he's a guy since his name is "Bob") had just finished a nice healthy and delicious high protein meal, was laying back to digest, Netflix and chill, and suddenly BLAM! No more bobcat.

I never scream "no hunts" of any kind. Actually, I am a proponent of putting death row inmates in an enclosed thousand acre compounds and then letting people purchase (very expensive) hunting permits to hunt and kill them. We can use the profits from that operation to pay for the costs of all the non-death-row inmates. Rather than using income or property taxes.

Sorry for lumping you in with the anti everything folks. Will be more prudent in the future.
Sounds like we agree on a bunch of things.
My experience with folks that have no interactions with rural people and actual wildlife (which it appears doesn't include you) usually leads down the "all hunting is bad" "all guns are bad" blah blah blah road. Sorry again for the misread.

 

[mildone_rivals]

"Imagine you're a deer. You're prancing around. You get thirsty. You spot a little brook. You put your little deer lips down to the cool, clear water - BAM. A f*ckin' bullet rips off part of your head. Your brains are lying on the ground in little bloody pieces. Now I ask you, do you give a f*ck what kind of pants the son-of-a-b*tch who shot you was wearing?"

Awesome and hilarious scene. I was probably channeling it a bit, albeit subconsciously as it didn't occur to me when posting.

 

[mildone_rivals]

Sorry for lumping you in with the anti everything folks. Will be more prudent in the future.
Sounds like we agree on a bunch of things.
My experience with folks that have no interactions with rural people and actual wildlife (which it appears doesn't include you) usually leads down the "all hunting is bad" "all guns are bad" blah blah blah road. Sorry again for the misread.

No worries. It gave me an excuse to bring up my federal and state revenue enhancement plan.

I should also point out that I would make a whole bunch of crimes, that aren't capital crimes today, capital crimes. Repeat rapists or repeat violent offenders who habitually harm people, for example. Some particularly evil white collar criminals who ruin others lives (i.e. the Madoff types). People who play John Denver songs in public. Whoever was involved in creating a football bowl game in Yankee stadium. You know, bad people like that.

Not just to further reduce the tax burden on good honest folks everywhere, but also because such people don't qualify as human in my book.

 

[fsg2_rivals]

Definitely didn't work out for the bobcat.
Is he supposed to let it kill his chickens and possibly his dogs? Should we not shoot the coyotes that are doing the same? Even stalking small children. If you have no exposure to real harmful wildlife, you can't judge how others handle it. I guess you just let mice run wild in your house eating whatever they want right?
The best is when folks scream "no bear hunts!!" , then are shocked when one smashes through their slider to get the garbage can inside. "Something has to be done!"

Kinda depends on the area and scenario.

Live in the mountains or forest, learn to live with, not against, the local wildlife.

That's meant as a response to your questions, not a judgement on your neighbor.

 

[NickRU714]

No worries. It gave me an excuse to bring up my federal and state revenue enhancement plan.

I should also point out that I would make a whole bunch of crimes, that aren't capital crimes today, capital crimes. Repeat rapists or repeat violent offenders who habitually harm people, for example. Some particularly evil white collar criminals who ruin others lives (i.e. the Madoff types). People who play John Denver songs in public. Whoever was involved in creating a football bowl game in Yankee stadium. You know, bad people like that.

Not just to further reduce the tax burden on good honest folks everywhere, but also because such people don't qualify as human in my book.

What about these people?
(Note - I only know the name and have no clue of any songs. I am definitely one the people referenced).

 

[MoreCowbellRU]

Kinda depends on the area and scenario.

Live in the mountains or forest, learn to live with, not against, the local wildlife.

That's meant as a response to your questions, not a judgement on your neighbor.

I agree. Have to coexist no doubt.
I made the mistake of throwing the kid's McDonald's trash in the burning barrel on arrival once and found it rolled down the hill and thrown around by a bear in the AM. Didn't break out a rifle hunt him down. He's there waay more than me and I should have known better. We can both do well there.
Love watching deer in the evening and the turkeys in the AM. I just like to check them out. I'm not a big hunter because I don't eat either. My Dad or brother on the other hand are very fond of venison and wild turkey, they need to watch their ***.
I shoot targets and bottles.

 

[Knight Shift]

Chickens can become bored. That's where bullying starts, and they can be brutal to each other. Keep them busy.

^^^^Sounds like the EV and Weather threads on this board. Maybe some of our resident chickens need to get busy.

This was trending on Twitter, apparently they made an appearance on a show tonight, name I will not mention. Anyway, they say their business is booming. Not a bad way to test the chicken waters without making the investments, but long term it would seem cheaper to buy eggs if there are only 2 people in your household.

Rent The Chicken

Rent Chickens for Farm Fresh Eggs without the commitment.

www.rentthechicken.com

Locations in NJ!!!

http://www.rentthechicken.com/p/eastern-pa-new-jersey-and-surrounding.html

 

[ClassOf02v.2]

No worries. It gave me an excuse to bring up my federal and state revenue enhancement plan.

I should also point out that I would make a whole bunch of crimes, that aren't capital crimes today, capital crimes. Repeat rapists or repeat violent offenders who habitually harm people, for example. Some particularly evil white collar criminals who ruin others lives (i.e. the Madoff types). People who play John Denver songs in public. Whoever was involved in creating a football bowl game in Yankee stadium. You know, bad people like that.

Not just to further reduce the tax burden on good honest folks everywhere, but also because such people don't qualify as human in my book.

Not to mention the designers responsible for UI in streaming services.

 

[mildone_rivals]

Not to mention the designers responsible for UI in streaming services.

Excellent point. Not sure how I overlooked those bastards.