I’ve wanted backyard chickens for years, even before I ever rescued one from a busy street in our neighborhood. Pearl was a scrappy, underweight escapee from some someone else’s suburban backyard, and having never been around a live chicken, she unnerved me a little with her saucy, “you are not the boss of me” attitude. (But to my surprise, once she settled in, she was actually very affectionate.) Unfortunately, it was that attitude that drove her to tease my dogs mercilessly, and things ended tragically. Since then I’ve been leery of following through on getting a flock.
We currently have four dogs and two cats—all rescues—and even if I could figure out a way to keep chickens safe from them, our household always seems to be teetering on the brink of animal chaos. So whenever I start getting the urge to build a coop and populate it, I make myself pause and think about how much work there is in taking care of the animals we already have in our family.
Our neighbors across the street own a flock of three chickens, and though they are always telling me how little care they need, here is what I have observed from their birds:
• Chickens make noise. Not a lot, but enough that if it was added to the general cacophony in our backyard, neighbors might start to get a little cranky, no matter how many fresh eggs we supplied them.
• Chickens, erm, poop. A lot.
• Someone needs to take care of the birds when the chicken wranglers go on trips. As I understand it, chickens eat food and drink water every single day.
None of these things are insurmountable, mind you. It is just too much at this juncture in my life.
Nevertheless, the dream persists. So imagine my delight when Gardener’s Supply sent me these last December, shown here guarding the lettuce seedlings in the hoop house:
Quiet. Poopless. Can go for weeks without food and water.
Now if they only would lay a few fresh eggs.
Sara says
Love this article!
This is exactly how I feel about chickens. I’ve always wanted them, but I’m afraid of the food/water/poop situation. It’s one thing to drop of the dogs at doggy day care for a long weekend, but what would you do with the chickens? The twice-a-day house sitter would cost way to much.
I’ll have to get some faux chickens like yourself. Perhaps that will hold me over.
🙂
Susan says
Sara–Our neighbors who have the chickens have a son who takes care of our dogs and cats when we go out of town, so for us, it wouldn’t be unthinkable that he could also care for a flock of chickens. It just seems like too many animals right now, though. Maybe someday.
Alice says
We got chickens for the first time last May and they have been laying very well almost an egg per chicken per day since end of Sept! Yes, they do poop a lot and are not to particular as to where they do it, but they are definitely worth the trouble! They are quite funny creatures with their own personalities too!
Now we would like to get a dog but are worried about how that would work out with the chickens. Probably best to get a puppy so he can get used to them. Has anyone out there introduced a grown up dog to a flock of chickens?
Susan says
@Alice–Farms have dogs and cats, so it seems like it would work. But I think they also have more space, and with it, the ability to provide a spacious coop for protection.
Sue Hubble, who wrote _A Country Year_ had both chickens and dogs on her small farm. I do think there is probably a lot of training involved. With the dog I had before (the one who sent poor Pearl to an early demise), it simply wouldn’t have been possible. She was a hunter, through and through (good for my garden, since she kept the squirrels at bay). The dogs I have now, however, could probably be trained to leave the chickens alone.
Shadowrider says
Yep, had chickens, roosters and two dogs, and cats. All free range. They all got along together. This was the story – no chickens, ducks, or goats. Well, we had the billy, for a while!!! And, while we were at a flea market, my daughter asked if she caught a loose rooster, could she keep it. I said “yes” thinking she never would. Well, that rooster lived a long time, and we all enjoyed him, along with other chickens we raised!!! So far, no ducks!!!!!
Jennifer says
Every little girl deserves a perfect pet chicken. Why not? They do organic gardening right, eat your leftovers, produce healthier and tastier eggs than you can buy anywhere else, and they are relaxing and enjoyable to watch. I think this girl’s dad will be amazed at how much he loves the new pets too. Apparently, this pretty child is also a natural at chicken communication. Go with her strengths, encourage her dreams and allow her to teach herself about life, nature and love.
Susan Tomlinson says
A chicken would make a great pet for a little girl!
Patty Hicks says
Susan, I was so laughing at your metal girls! I love chickens and have wanted them for years too but alas I’ve gone to raising metal chickens instead and visiting the chickens my friends raise. Thank God for friends with chickens. I love to chat with them, listen to their chicken cooing (or whatever its called). Gave me such a good chuckle when I saw your metal girls. Thanks!
Susan Tomlinson says
Patty, those metal chickens are a special breed. They’ve not yet laid any eggs, but I’m sure they’re colorful.
KimW says
I would love to have a chicken or two, but we have a homeowners assn who would probably frown on it. There is a catalog company that sells self contained chicken coops complete with nest box and a small enclosed area. Even better-it’s on wheels so it can be moved. I would put down a section of wire to discourage digging critters (skunks, raccoons, weasels) and be sure if the chickens are out of the enclosure, someone is with them at all times. A hawk will take a chicken too. As for the poop-just add it to the composter! Composted chicken poop is great fertilizer!
Susan Tomlinson says
I’ve thought about those self-contained chicken coops, but I also think it would be fun to build one. In fact, I’m almost more interested in building the coop than in having the chickens!
margaret thompson says
I’m a lover of animals, and when I was ten I took some injured chickens in because they peck a wounded chick to death when there is blood… I had them in my basement and I fed and watered them faithfully..but did they smell…I was putting the sawdust and poop in our coal furnace everyday ,till it exploded in my face…And then my Mom sent them to a farm–I was broken hearted .anyway , I don’t think a five year old should have a chick because the chick is very fragile, and many of them end up at animal shelters with broken legs etc,
Gillian Wackowski says
we have chickens and we go on trips. you can buy inexpensive feeders and watering systems that allow them to eat and drink in your absence. besides, our neighbors are happy to check in on them because they get farm fresh eggs each day they peak in for us. any local grain store would have what you need to feed your chickens for a week in your absences, especially this time of year as the chicks arrive.
Susan Tomlinson says
We have neighbors that would check on ours, I’m sure. Even so, I think we have enough animals as it is, so the chickens will just have to wait.
Janice Runion says
I love chickenns also and at this time do not have any because dogs killed all of ours. Your daughter doesn’t need to be handling chickens because they are very nasty and I know you can get diseases from them. You should listen to your husband, he is the head of your household, God gave him that honor, never try to undermind him by siding with your child. She needs to learn that she cannot have everything she wants the minute she wants it. Maybe when she has grown up, she can have the country life with chickens but she never needs to see you going against your loving husband. Always have a united front with him.
Danielle says
God also gave you a brain and an opinion to be able to raise your daughter WITH your husband. I hope you get you 100 posts for the additional pet! Geez, it’s amazing I didn’t die from chicken diseases as a child being brought up on a farm that raised 60,000 per flock!
Shadowrider says
Yeah Danielle! Go girl! My daughte held her rooster all the time, she took it to FFA shows so other kids could enjoy him. Actually, I think they ate the same foods!!! LOL
Cheryl Fisher says
The ranch I live on has several dozen chickens as well as geese and ducks. If you do get your daughter a chicken (providing your municipality will allow it) educate yourself about breeds, as some are more suited to urban living than others. As far as the disease fear- if you wash hands before and after handling the hen there should be no problem. We have children’s tours here and require the children to hand sanitize after touching the animals. The suggestion of composting is a good one and they will dipose of table waste (just not onions). Benefits beside a daily fresh egg is insect control (your husband would appreciate that). Chickens are generally quiet, the noisiest time is when laying an egg. If you shred paper in your house, the shreds can be used as bedding. Life lessons with animals are good for children, as is the responsibility for caring for them. Some of the posts have other good suggestions, just supervise the handling until the hen is mature.
Dwight says
Chickens are good! But my girls, when they were little (moons ago) didn’t like cleaning the hen house. We did love what’s called now free-range eggs. We also have the wonderful metal chickens you have. Ironically, they were given to us by the very daughter who hated cleaning out more than any of the other girls. Maybe she was drawn to the messlessness.
As long as chickens don’t eat the lettuce sprouts and similar small plants, they’re great bug eaters. I make wire cages to keep them and the quail away from tender greens.
Connie says
I love chickens too, but can not have them where I live. My elderly neighbors gave me
concrete rooster and hen for my garden. People walking by think they are real!!
Good luck getting your own chicken.
Susan Tomlinson says
Hello everyone–I think you must have me confused with someone else. I don’t have children, and I’m not actually planning to get any chickens. Please re-read the post up above.
CS says
Chickens eat ticks!
sandy says
When growing up I helped my neighbor with their chickens, feeding, collecting eggs, catching for ( Killing) sale. After that I could eat neither so I hope this won’t hurt her. They are a lot of fun, but you have to have a rooster to get eggs, and they can be mean, I could tell you tales that would change your mind.
Susan Tomlinson says
How great that you got a chance to help a neighbor collecting eggs! I would think that’s a wonderful way to learn about where food comes from.
I think, however, that it is possible for hens to lay eggs without a rooster. It isn’t possible to lay fertile eggs, though, and perhaps that’s what you meant. 🙂
Deb says
I could be wrong, but the little girl in the photo is holding a rooster, not a chicken
karen says
Go for it. Free fertilizer!
Nathalie says
I didn’t get the chance to read all of the advice, but I have some that has worked out very well for us. There are welded wire dog kennels (Behlen is an example) that make wonderful chicken runs! Little chicken coops can be easily made, and if you put shavings (pine or aspen) in the bottom of the run, a couple of inches deep, and toss a handfull of black oil sunflower seeds out there every day, you’ll rarely ever see poop! They stir it into the shavings, it dries out, breaks down, and not only do you rarely see poop, but the dry bedding keeps them healthy. Bantam hens are also a little less noisy and lay beautiful little quail-sized eggs. The welded wire keeps dogs and raccoons out but fresh air flowing through. You just need to put wire on top under the roof. We use a dog house for their coop, though most of the year they choose to sleep outside on the perches we put in there for them. Some poop will show up on the concrete blocks we lift out dog house on, but I just get a little hand broom and take that off. You would be surprised how easy to care for they are. Bulk waterers, bulk feeders, and you can have your 3-day weekend. Just a thought – nothing like enabling a little chicken addiction. 😉
Kerri says
I am also a chicken lover. I was raised on a farm as child and I remember buying baby chicks at the feed store and how they followed my sister and I around the yard. As an adult I have lived in a city in which you were allowed two hens, no roosters as they will crow and wake up the neighbors. Many breeds are layers only and will produce an egg a day and will not become broody. A rooster is not needed to produce eggs. Certain breeds are more friendly and have a calmer temperment than others and would be a better pet for your daughter. A chicken tractor is a portable chicken house that can be moved around the yard as needed and your chickens would be protected from your other animals. I have two grown dogs and two cats that have been introduced to new chickens several times and I have never had a problem. Enjoy getting to know your new chickens!