Keeping chickens to harvest eggs?

BetterThanThou

I've considered keeping a few chickens to harvest eggs, mainly just because I enjoy caring for animals and it'll be different from what I've already cared for, plus the eggs will help a lot. In my house, usually there'd be about 8 eggs used per day, how many chickens would I need to ensure I get 8 eggs per day and what kind of care do they require? also, what size cage would I need for them and what will said cage need so they're comfortable?

drunkmonkey

you might have better luck if you got some hens!!

BetterThanThou

drunkmonkey wrote: »

you might have better luck if you got some hens!!

Yes, I intend to keep hens and not roosters, that part I know.

whelan1

about 10 hens to get 8 eggs per day, not a great time of year to be getting them as days are getting shorter and they wont lay as much

bbam

Our four hens are laying 2 eggs per day at the moment, 3 the odd day.

As Whelan says, shorter duller days means they lay less.

Great pets, kids love them.

stoeger

Ad said above 10 hens for 8eggs .
How much room can you supply for then mine are free range i let them out in the morning and they go back in themselves just remember to lock then in or Mr fox will have them . What part of the country and you in ? .

Sharpshooter82

If you are getting hens for laying you can't beat the simple rhode island red. I got a few different ones this year ( light Sussex) and the like and I've only one left. They either died on me for no reason or buggered off into a ditch and the fox got them. All the Rhode Islands come back no trouble.
I have a pen at the minute that is 10 ft by 10ft and I've 6 hens and a cock in it and they have plenty of room. Just make sure the hens have access to plenty of water as you will be surprised how much water they require.
When feeding them its good to give them a 50 50 mix of layers pellets and rolled barley. Don't feed them rolled oats as this can sometimes get stuck in their necks and kill them.

Sam Kade

You need to buy point of lay pullets, wait until January as you will only end up feeding them all winter for less eggs. It will take a month or so before they start laying. They will only have 3 good years laying after that they don't lay as often maybe 1 egg every second day. If you could sell off the hens after their second year then buy in a fresh batch of pullets you will have plenty eggs. I bought pullets a few years ago and the fox whipped a few of them as I let them roam around the yard during the day now they are getting old and not laying as much only eating expensive pellets, do you think the fox would take them now? not a chance :rolleyes: The fox will only take young productive hens :mad:

Sharpshooter82

Sam Kade wrote: »

do you think the fox would take them now? not a chance :rolleyes: The fox will only take young productive hens :mad:

Ill back you up on that one

who the fug

Sam Kade wrote: »

, do you think the fox would take them now? not a chance :rolleyes: The fox will only take young productive hens :mad:

They didn't get old by being dumb .;)

Got a shock when I moved to London and saw foxes up close, and how high a fence the barstewards can clear .

Sam Kade

who the fug wrote: »

They didn't get old by being dumb .;)

Got a shock when I moved to London and saw foxes up close, and how high a fence the barstewards can clear .

That's it, they learn to dodge the fox, I wonder if I kept the old ladies would they teach the young girls how to be wary of the fox?

who the fug

Sam Kade wrote: »

That's it, they learn to dodge the fox, I wonder if I kept the old ladies would they teach the young girls how to be wary of the fox?

Only deterrent I remember working was a Bantam cock , violent little gits

Sharpshooter82

who the fug wrote: »

Only deterrent I remember working was a Bantam cock , violent little gits

or a few dogs patrolling around

FineFilly

Also thinking of getting hens for the kids,maybe soon, sure they will be well settled in then for good layin come the longer days

bbam

Indeed.
Nothing wrong with getting them now, just not full egg production until next spring.
Our girls have great crack feeding and petting the chickens. Chickens will come over and lay down to be petted.

Sharpshooter82

bbam wrote: »

Indeed.
Nothing wrong with getting them now, just not full egg production until next spring.
Our girls have great crack feeding and petting the chickens. Chickens will come over and lay down to be petted.

Mine must be broken as they leg it everytime