Monday, December 1, 2008
Life My Chickens
Posted by Eli Sanders on Mon, Dec 1, 2008 at 9:55 AM
I'm back from a week off, during which time, among other things, I began taking care of a friend's urban chickens. Here's his flock of three, which, as close followers of civic codes will know, is the legal limit in Seattle:
Turns out city folk have all kinds of advice to offer chicken-sitters like myself, and I'm grateful for that because A) I am not the farm-hand type and B) these chickens are going to be living under my non-expert care and feeding for a good while to come.
Some things I've learned through shared wisdom and experience: Chickens can run quite fast. When you catch them, and pick them up, their bodies feel exactly like a chicken breast (which for some reason I didn't expect). If they don't lay eggs every day, it's nothing personal. And they have six-second memories.
I'm actually not sure if that last bit, about the six-second memory, is true. (Though I bet someone in the Slog mob will tell me in a few seconds!) But I've assumed it is—how else can they enjoy the same food every day?—and this has me wondering: if a creature only has a six-second memory, does it really matter how well I care for it?
For the record, and before you call the Humane Society, I am taking very good care of these creatures. But while I'm spending many hours chasing them all over the yard so that they can get exercise, and changing their water all the time (only to have them immediately foul it up all over again), and putting down new hay, I do frequently ask myself whether they'll even remember, six seconds later, that I've done any of this for them.
On a somewhat related note: Wouldn't Thanksgiving be great if all the people at the table had only six-second memories?
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2
I guess the question is if you take care of something or someone so they'll be grateful--in which case their ability to remember it would be relevant--or just to be nice, humane, or whatever. If your goal is the chickens' well-being, and not their gratitude, it doesn't matter if they remember.
5
set the water dish up 4 to 6 inches --- less shit -- and chickens have a very good digestive system, shit in the water means little
feed them table scraps, and greens, green anything, meat scraps, steak bones, and a pan of gravel for the gizzard
feed them table scraps, and greens, green anything, meat scraps, steak bones, and a pan of gravel for the gizzard
7
Chickens make me irrationally happy. I don't know why-- they show me no affection, they peck, they scratch. But watching them do their little chicken thing in a sunny garden is like a tiny piece of heaven.
8
Well, I can't speak to memory, but I know that ours have strong food associations. They know where the food is, and will flock around if you go near it. They do seem to have some kind of recognition of individuals, because they do pay more attention to the ones who take care of them.
On a medical note, probably not an issue, but if you start seeing weird-colored crap then it means that something's wrong with them - hit the internet at that point.
Oh, and corn makes the yolks yellower. =)
On a medical note, probably not an issue, but if you start seeing weird-colored crap then it means that something's wrong with them - hit the internet at that point.
Oh, and corn makes the yolks yellower. =)
9
Do tell, Eli. My parents are thinking of getting chickens when they move full-time onto their country cabin retreat.
Fnarf, that video is great.
Fnarf, that video is great.
10
No Eli, Thanksgiving would be a different kind of hell if all the people at the table had only six-second memories. Or maybe you *do* want to be asked about the status of your career and love life over and over again?
11
I have had this completely irrational desire to own chickens for about a year... I mostly pass it off as a joke because people (i.e., my husband) think I'm insane.
But, they are pretty inexpensive online (http://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com is one site I've looked at), and I think it's completely doable. I was in 4-H when I was a kid (though the only animal I showed was my pet cat)... how hard can it be?
But, they are pretty inexpensive online (http://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com is one site I've looked at), and I think it's completely doable. I was in 4-H when I was a kid (though the only animal I showed was my pet cat)... how hard can it be?
12
I "chicken sit" our neighbors' birds every once in a while. The chickens don't remember it, but their owners sure are grateful. And I get all the eggs they produce during their owners' absence. Fresh eggs are an amazing treat.
13
If people on had 6 second memories at Thanksgiving, the Turkey would be burnt and all the other stuff would be raw or over cooked. "What's that beeping?" "Hell if I know." "It sounds like the Kitchen timer." "You'd better go check." "Check on what? And what is that beeping?"
14
5 is right, the water dish should be elevated with something under it, or even better, suspended from a rope, that is how we've always done it. Giving them food scraps is a good way to use things up if you can't compost them, crushed oyster shell will help keep their shells thick and strong.
Keep an eye on them when you let them into the yard, we've lost a few to dogs...
Keep an eye on them when you let them into the yard, we've lost a few to dogs...
15
Chickens actually have incredible memories and are very intelligent. They know where and when to expect food, they can remember multiple human faces for years, and they have the ability to hide food from one another. They are also capable of holding grudges.
As for general care, never, ever, ever flip a chicken upside down. If you need to hold them, hold them with their wings pressed tightly against your body and turn them on their side if you need to (like if you have to give them pills).
Another note about holding them, if you pick them up, be sure to grab them as close to their shoulders as possible. Never grab them further down the wing because if they try and flap to get away from you they can break their wing easily.
Don't worry about their water getting messy. They will get shit and blood and everything else in there and still drink it. Clean it twice a day and they'll be fine.
Things to look out for:
Gurgliness. This time of year, it's very easy for chickens to develop upper respiratory problems which you will notice because their breath will literally gurgle. It's very treatable, but only if you watch out for it and get antibiotics.
Eggs: I can't really tell from the photo but if any of them lay eggs, it would probably be best to collect them. Chickens will sometimes eat their own eggs (seriously, smash it on the ground and see what happens) and unlike eating their own feces, eating a raw egg can actually be harmful for them. Bring it in, hardboil it, mash it up and feed it back to them. They will heart you.
Treats: Chickens don't chew (duh) so if you're giving them treats, you want to give them really small pieces of things. Lettuce is a big one because if they get a long piece of lettuce, they will just keep cramming it down their throat until it's gone and it's likely that they could choke or it could cause crop damage (the crop is a big sack on their breast that pre-digests all their food and releases it to the stomach when it's ready).
JULIE IN CHICAGO:
Please, please, please don't buy any chicks. There are millions of chickens out there who need rescuing. There are so many sanctuaries near you that would be happy to bring you some chickens.
More...
As for general care, never, ever, ever flip a chicken upside down. If you need to hold them, hold them with their wings pressed tightly against your body and turn them on their side if you need to (like if you have to give them pills).
Another note about holding them, if you pick them up, be sure to grab them as close to their shoulders as possible. Never grab them further down the wing because if they try and flap to get away from you they can break their wing easily.
Don't worry about their water getting messy. They will get shit and blood and everything else in there and still drink it. Clean it twice a day and they'll be fine.
Things to look out for:
Gurgliness. This time of year, it's very easy for chickens to develop upper respiratory problems which you will notice because their breath will literally gurgle. It's very treatable, but only if you watch out for it and get antibiotics.
Eggs: I can't really tell from the photo but if any of them lay eggs, it would probably be best to collect them. Chickens will sometimes eat their own eggs (seriously, smash it on the ground and see what happens) and unlike eating their own feces, eating a raw egg can actually be harmful for them. Bring it in, hardboil it, mash it up and feed it back to them. They will heart you.
Treats: Chickens don't chew (duh) so if you're giving them treats, you want to give them really small pieces of things. Lettuce is a big one because if they get a long piece of lettuce, they will just keep cramming it down their throat until it's gone and it's likely that they could choke or it could cause crop damage (the crop is a big sack on their breast that pre-digests all their food and releases it to the stomach when it's ready).
JULIE IN CHICAGO:
Please, please, please don't buy any chicks. There are millions of chickens out there who need rescuing. There are so many sanctuaries near you that would be happy to bring you some chickens.
16
Super fresh eggs are da bomb; a million times better than the eggs you buy in the store...and a friend of mine has a sister who has chickens and she feeds them cooked oatmeal and all sorts of treats so they lay the most delicious eggs in the world.
17
Thanks for the advice @15 - It's not possible for me to have chickens at the moment anyways, but we're moving in a few months, so I was going to more seriously investigate then. I can't believe I didn't think of rescue, as we've rescued all our other pets and I'm a big advocate...
18
Chickens are the most stupid animals on earth - sorry - their brains are the size of a pea.
But they are OK as pets, and funny to be around in some ways.
Baby chicks are adorable. Fresh eggs are really the best. Yes to the smashed into small bits oyster shell ... do it yourself. The calcium will help their health and produce strong shells in the eggs. Roosters don't lay eggs ... and hens are sometimes not prolific, younger are better.Good layers produce daily, most produce three a week, they do eat anything, don't be shy, if they don't eat it - it composts with the shit and is good garden stuff.
There is no better eating than home grown and home butchered and home cooked fried chicken ... the BEST.
(get Vantress Cross chicks. grow fast, large bodied, great flavored meat)
But they are OK as pets, and funny to be around in some ways.
Baby chicks are adorable. Fresh eggs are really the best. Yes to the smashed into small bits oyster shell ... do it yourself. The calcium will help their health and produce strong shells in the eggs. Roosters don't lay eggs ... and hens are sometimes not prolific, younger are better.Good layers produce daily, most produce three a week, they do eat anything, don't be shy, if they don't eat it - it composts with the shit and is good garden stuff.
There is no better eating than home grown and home butchered and home cooked fried chicken ... the BEST.
(get Vantress Cross chicks. grow fast, large bodied, great flavored meat)
19
@17: But if you get adult chickens, you won't have any little yellow fluffballs making that cheepie-cheepie noise!
I know, I know. Plenty of full-grown chickens need homes. But if I were you, I'd get at least one chick...
I know, I know. Plenty of full-grown chickens need homes. But if I were you, I'd get at least one chick...
20
Chicken Lady
food goes from the crop to the gizzard which with the help of small hard bits, rock, glass, stone, et. grinds it to liquid and then into total digestion
you can buy gizzards to eat
the egg sack and tract is also delicious
the feet give woup a bright yellow color, all gelatin
food goes from the crop to the gizzard which with the help of small hard bits, rock, glass, stone, et. grinds it to liquid and then into total digestion
you can buy gizzards to eat
the egg sack and tract is also delicious
the feet give woup a bright yellow color, all gelatin
21
The Grange in Issaquah has all the chicken supplies plus chicks in the spring. Put your coop where it will get winter sun. My chickens love Dick's burgers and leafy greens. Raccoons will rip chickens' heads off and eat everything but bones and feathers. Then you have to trap the raccoons and shoot them in the head with a pellet gun. Hopefully this happens close to trash day. We live near Volunteer Park. My kids could give a shit about the chickens. They want a dog.
22
From my memory of raising chickens (it was almost 40 years ago) mix crushed clam or oyster shells in with their feed, It makes the egg shells harder.
I agree about fresh eggs. There is nothing like them. I especially like double-yolkers!
I agree about fresh eggs. There is nothing like them. I especially like double-yolkers!
24
My friend's house on 11th used to have a rooster that would come and hang out on the front porch a couple times every week. I sort of assumed that he remembered being there whenever he came over. I got the impression that chickens were actually kind of smart.
25
@21: Was that supposed to read kind of like a poem? Because that's how it sounded in my head. It also strikes me as more interesting than most of the crap people posted in Paul's poetry thread.
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