4 ms·

Is it hard only because of predators? I.e. if they're in a sturdily fenced enclosure, are you pretty much free from any risk? Or are other things like cold, di

by GuiA 14y ago

Is it hard only because of predators? I.e. if they're in a sturdily fenced enclosure, are you pretty much free from any risk? Or are other things like cold, diseases, etc. tricky to manage? I love eggs, and have often thought about having my own chicken... although with my current urban living situation, it would be quite hard :)

gadders 14y ago
We've had reasonably deep snow, and they've been OK (as long as you have more than one so they can keep each other warm). In terms of diseases, there are some nasty ones like red mites that can suck their blood, but disinfecting the coop takes care of that (and I've never seen any evidence of it). The only thing my chickens have really suffered from is scaley leg, but you can get ointment for that. I also find they decide to pluck their own feathers out at odd times due to moulting or broodiness. //edit//Also, for urban chicken keepers: http://www.omlet.co.uk/ http://www.omlet.co.uk/
pixl97 14y ago
A sturdy fence helps, but it also costs too. The biggest issue is this guy... http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/raccoon-chicken-predators-how-to-protect-your-chickens-from-coons http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/raccoon-chicken-predators-... Racoons are very sharp creatures and can open cages and pens that aren't designed well. If your wire mesh is too large and your chickens stay close to they edge they will lay wait and grab them thru the cage.
- creamyhorror 14y ago
  A comment on that page led me to read about guard llamas, guard donkeys and mini horses. I hadn't realised llamas could be used as guard animals at all. http://ag.ansc.purdue.edu/sheep/ansc442/semprojs/2002/predation/llamas_and_donkeys.htm http://ag.ansc.purdue.edu/sheep/ansc442/semprojs/2002/predat... - Being that dogs and coyotes are among the greatest predators of sheep, a llama can be very effective in alerting and protecting a flock of sheep against such predators. A good guard llama is very cautious and curious of these predators and will usually charge them, and if the predator does not retreat, kick and stomp them. - One llama is capable of guarding up to 2,000 sheep in up to 300 acres, and can decrease the amount of predation in a flock up to 100%. - Also, llamas ... often will protect birthing sheep and will alert producers to sick or hurt sheep. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guard_llama http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guard_llama - Some llamas may herd the animals they are guarding into a tight group or lead them away from danger and to the spot where they may feel the safest. Quite impressive, what llamas can do.
  - pixl97 14y ago
    -guard donkeys On my dads farm one of our goats had babies (kids?), after a few weeks we allowed them to roam the pastures. For some reason the donkey had something against one of the kids and stomped it to death, then proceeded to throw its dead body around like a ragdoll for hours. I never trusted that donkey again.
jules 14y ago
We've had chickens killed by animals that dig below the fence and by animals that climb over it and by birds that fly over it. If you cover those areas then yes they won't die, chickens are pretty sturdy. Or you can just buy/breed new chickens, it doesn't happen that often (may depend on your area though). One of the hens laid beautiful light brown eggs with a pattern dark brown dots. Sadly she died to a marten or fox.

by GuiA 14y ago

gadders 14y ago

We've had reasonably deep snow, and they've been OK (as long as you have more than one so they can keep each other warm). In terms of diseases, there are some nasty ones like red mites that can suck their blood, but disinfecting the coop takes care of that (and I've never seen any evidence of it). The only thing my chickens have really suffered from is scaley leg, but you can get ointment for that. I also find they decide to pluck their own feathers out at odd times due to moulting or broodiness. //edit//Also, for urban chicken keepers: http://www.omlet.co.uk/ http://www.omlet.co.uk/

pixl97 14y ago

A sturdy fence helps, but it also costs too. The biggest issue is this guy... http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/raccoon-chicken-predators-how-to-protect-your-chickens-from-coons http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/raccoon-chicken-predators-... Racoons are very sharp creatures and can open cages and pens that aren't designed well. If your wire mesh is too large and your chickens stay close to they edge they will lay wait and grab them thru the cage.

creamyhorror 14y ago
A comment on that page led me to read about guard llamas, guard donkeys and mini horses. I hadn't realised llamas could be used as guard animals at all. http://ag.ansc.purdue.edu/sheep/ansc442/semprojs/2002/predation/llamas_and_donkeys.htm http://ag.ansc.purdue.edu/sheep/ansc442/semprojs/2002/predat... - Being that dogs and coyotes are among the greatest predators of sheep, a llama can be very effective in alerting and protecting a flock of sheep against such predators. A good guard llama is very cautious and curious of these predators and will usually charge them, and if the predator does not retreat, kick and stomp them. - One llama is capable of guarding up to 2,000 sheep in up to 300 acres, and can decrease the amount of predation in a flock up to 100%. - Also, llamas ... often will protect birthing sheep and will alert producers to sick or hurt sheep. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guard_llama http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guard_llama - Some llamas may herd the animals they are guarding into a tight group or lead them away from danger and to the spot where they may feel the safest. Quite impressive, what llamas can do.
- pixl97 14y ago
  -guard donkeys On my dads farm one of our goats had babies (kids?), after a few weeks we allowed them to roam the pastures. For some reason the donkey had something against one of the kids and stomped it to death, then proceeded to throw its dead body around like a ragdoll for hours. I never trusted that donkey again.

jules 14y ago

We've had chickens killed by animals that dig below the fence and by animals that climb over it and by birds that fly over it. If you cover those areas then yes they won't die, chickens are pretty sturdy. Or you can just buy/breed new chickens, it doesn't happen that often (may depend on your area though). One of the hens laid beautiful light brown eggs with a pattern dark brown dots. Sadly she died to a marten or fox.