Chickens make a good 4-H project for people with limited space and younger children. The birds can also provide your family with meat, eggs and entertainment.
on 6/30/2006
It's true - I've had four enormous Orpington chickens for almost a year now, and I have managed to train them! One thing I have taught them (that is great for pleasing guests), is that we let them run free in the garden, then open the kitchen window and shout 'GIRLS?!', so all four of them come running up into the garden to get the food we have to offer them. It took a lot of patience to teach them this, although it has paid off as it is hilarious watching the big fat things sprinting up through the garden. The first step is to be in sight of the chickens, and to make sure they aren't afraid of you. Get the grain/bread (whatever you are feeding them) and throw it for them - nice and high so they can see it. As they come running, call out the word you want them to respond to so that they are familiar with this word. It should be simple, so they remember it. Chickens are extremely stupid, y'know. Practice this routine of calling your chickens frequently. They should get the hang of it soon enough!
on 6/30/2006
If you're stuck for a treat to give to your hens, boil up some spaghetti and feed it to them - chickens go crazy for it! You should see them gobbling it down. I'm no veterinarian, but it's probably not a good idea to feed them too much, as it probably isn't too good for them.
on 8/29/2007
Got that annoying chicken which destroys your eggs by pecking holes in them? The solution: Empty an egg shell, and put a small amount of mustard inside. Nest time a hen goes in for a peck, they're in for a shock! They won't repeat that experience again!
on 11/22/2005
Never let your chicks live without a lot of food (to get them fat), they will not get as cold. Also get a red light for them decrease it by 5 degrees every week till you are at 70F. Keep them out of reach from hawks, dogs, cats, snakes and other predators that might eat them.
Comments
Anonymous said
on 6/30/2006 It's true - I've had four enormous Orpington chickens for almost a year now, and I have managed to train them! One thing I have taught them (that is great for pleasing guests), is that we let them run free in the garden, then open the kitchen window and shout 'GIRLS?!', so all four of them come running up into the garden to get the food we have to offer them. It took a lot of patience to teach them this, although it has paid off as it is hilarious watching the big fat things sprinting up through the garden.
The first step is to be in sight of the chickens, and to make sure they aren't afraid of you. Get the grain/bread (whatever you are feeding them) and throw it for them - nice and high so they can see it. As they come running, call out the word you want them to respond to so that they are familiar with this word. It should be simple, so they remember it. Chickens are extremely stupid, y'know.
Practice this routine of calling your chickens frequently. They should get the hang of it soon enough!
Anonymous said
on 6/30/2006 If you're stuck for a treat to give to your hens, boil up some spaghetti and feed it to them - chickens go crazy for it! You should see them gobbling it down. I'm no veterinarian, but it's probably not a good idea to feed them too much, as it probably isn't too good for them.
Anonymous said
on 8/29/2007 Got that annoying chicken which destroys your eggs by pecking holes in them? The solution: Empty an egg shell, and put a small amount of mustard inside. Nest time a hen goes in for a peck, they're in for a shock! They won't repeat that experience again!
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 Never let your chicks live without a lot of food (to get them fat), they will not get as cold. Also get a red light for them decrease it by 5 degrees every week till you are at 70F. Keep them out of reach from hawks, dogs, cats, snakes and other predators that might eat them.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 Make sure there are no holes in your fence! A fox (or other predator) could get to your chickens and kill them.