There is a big learning curve in raising chickens. It's doable but is a challenge. I continue to under estimate the pecking order violence - it's worse than a bunch of middle school girls with the same boy friend.

My brother, who has a lot more birds than I do, claims that rubbing Vaseline or vicks vapo rub on the affected birds will stop the others from pecking it. I have tried it once, but didn't keep up with it, so don't know how effective it truly is.

Ah chickens ....A few things....
Broilers are significantly less than a year old when they go to slaughter, in fact they are about 6 wks old. So every 6 wks you have a new flock.

There is a world of difference between a laying bird and a meat type, they don't even look the same

The Cornish games hens you see in the meat section at the store, that is just a broiler slaughtered before 6 wks.

Chickens lay eggs based on photostimulation, you need a certain light intensity for a certain number of hours, in the summer time the day increases, they lay eggs as the days shorten they stop laying

After laying hens in a commercial setting are taken out of production they are called spent hens, they go to slaughter, there is nothing wrong with the meat, it isn't tougher, as already pointed out there just isn't enough there. Usually it ends up in thing like chicken noodle or chicken with rice soup.

Hens are quite efficient at incorporating what is in their diet into the eggs they lay, for example you can change the omega 3 fatty acid profile of eggs by feeding flax seed or fish meal, I mention this because if you free range hens the eggs will be different than what you buy at the store. Usually if they can forage the yolk will be much brighter yellow and in some case more pungent in taste. Doesn't really matter if you mix it with some chorizo on a good flour tortilla, haha

When it comes to broilers there are regional preferences, here in Texas when we go buy a chicken to roast we prefer a white fleshed bird, not so in parts of the east coast, they prefer a more orange/yellow fleshed bird, so what is one to do? Easy, incorporate crushed Marigold meal (yes as in the flower) into the feed. That changes the skin pigmentation

You are going to hear everyone tell you that brown eggs are healthier than white eggs, they are not, except for one pigment they are exactly the same

I suggest for those able to do it have fun with it, go to Ideal Hatchery website and order a variety, there are other hatchery that mail order, Ideal is just one I'm familiar with and it is here in Texas. If you truly care about egg production then go with the Leghorns, they come in a variety of colors. I think for raising at home you should enjoy them, get a variety, crested chicken (some have feather on their heads, on their legs, some even have feather that make them look like they have a beard) different types of combs, different colored plumage, etc. they are all going to lay eggs.

Thumbs up for the chicken discussion! haha

Thanks for posting, Von!

Gig 'em!

Just bumping this old thread. Anyone know of a sight that has good plans for coops? I want to start building one this fall/winter.

Thanks

Backyardchickens.com

Josepi said:

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Just bumping this old thread. Anyone know of a sight that has good plans for coops? I want to start building one this fall/winter.

Thanks

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You in B/CS? I may be having to rehome my flock.
Apparently our section of Bryan has a deed restriction against poultry. So even though we abide by City of Bryan Code of Compliance, our neighborhood is threatening legal action.

No, unfortunately, I'm out in Tyler. It's legal to have up to 6 including roosters here. Thanks though

That sucks about your neighbor. As long as you don't have a rooster, I don't see how a handful of chickens could bother anyone

How many birds? I could be interested or know someone who might be.

It's not a neighbor per se, another household that had chickens recieved a notice as well. I am filling a waiver to the committee. We don't pay any HOA dues, this is a neighborhood deed restriction.

20 birds, 3 roosters.

Like I said, we abide by the City of Bryan Code, I would even get rid of the roosters if they were deemed to be a nuisance animal.

Still pretty angry over what I feel is just over reaching busy bodies, wife is upset and frankly, I have put a lot of time and money into these birds, they have been certified healthy by the state. Even our neighbors are cool with them, especially with the eggs...

Fleen, where are you at in Bryan? I live near the municipal golf course and would be interested in the chickens!

I'm in North Oakwood...

Let me see how this waiver process goes but I'll post on here if I need a alternate resolution.

Any lawyers want to help me fight this?