Keeping Chickens: Chicken FAQ's

Here you can find some of the more frequently asked questions and answers about keeping your chickens. You can find more comprehensive chicken keeping information throughout the site but these will give you a quick and easy reference to get you started.

Q: What is the best type of chicken to keep im a small urban setting to keep me supplied with fesh eggs?

A: For small flocks in a confined space you cant beat the Rhode Island Red chicken. These are the most common type used for egg production and are hardy and easy to maintain. being the most common, they are also cheap and easy to obtain.

Q: How many eggs can I expect my chickens to produce?

A: A good, well cared for Rhode Island Red will usually produce one egg per day. so decide how many eggs you will need to keep your family supplied and keep the apprpriate number of hens. Egg production also depends on the health of your hens and the amount and quality of feed provided so make sure to feed appropriately

Q: How long will my hens live for?

A: A properly cared for Rhode Island Red can live for between 4 and 8 years although some have been known to survive for up to ten years.

Q: Can I hatch the eggs my chickens lay?

A: Obviously this will depend on whether there is a cock present in the coop but if there is you can expect your hens to brood their eggs readily if they are not collected and a clutch is allowed to form.

Q: Should I keep a cock with my hens or is it ok to keep the hens on their own?

A: This depends on what you plan to keep your chickens for. If you are keeping chickens for egg supply only then there is no benefit to keeping a cock also. The cock will also cause a disturbance by making noise in the mornings and if you are keeping chickens in an urban setting this is definitely not advisable. You should only consider keeping a cock if you want to breed from your stock.

Q: How much time is involved in keeping a small flock of chickens?

A: Keeping a small amount of chickens, lets assume 3-4 hens for egg production, takes no more than a few minutes each day to ensure they are fed and have a supply of fresh water. Cleaning of a small coop can be carried out a couple of times a week and should not take much effort. As a rule, a small flock should take up very little of your time when compared to the benefits you will get in return.

Q: I live in the city, can I still keep chickens?

A: Of course! Chickens are quite happy in a backyard or similar enviornment as long as they are given a plentiful supply of feed and a small patch of grass or soil to scratch around in. Be sure to provide adequate housing and remember that pests and predators still need to be considered even though you are not living in the countryside.

Q: How old does a hen have to be before she will lay?

A: An average hen will begin to lay at about twenty weeks old. A hen which is kept free range will sometimes take a few extra weeks to begin laying.

Q: What kind of predators to I need to protect my chickens from?

A: Depending on your location there are many different types of predator that want your chickens. Foxes are among the most common along with mink, coyotes and raccoons. Dont discount family pets either as cats and dogs can often take a fancy to killing chickens.
You will also need to watch for overhead predators such as hawks. Rats can also become a nuisance, while not killing your hens they will steal the eggs.

Q: What exactly is a battery hen?

A: A battery hen is a hen kept purely for egg production in a small, purposely built enclosure known as a battery cage. Batery cages are the subject of much debate over animal welfare issues and are generally believed to be inhumane and unethical although the remain the principal means of commercial egg production in most, if not all developed countries.

Q: What are the chances my breakfst egg will have a chicken inside?

A: If there is no cock present in the coop then there is no chance at all. Even where a cock is kept, making sure to collect your eggs fresh every morning will ensure your hen hasnt started brooding. Fail manage your chickens well though and you could be in for a nasty surprise!

Q: Is there a difference between a white egg and a brown egg?

A: None whatsoever, other than the breed of the chicken that laid them. Fundamentally, the eggs are no different other than the colour.

Q: The last egg I ate had a very dark yellow yolk and a stronger taste than usual, why was that?

A: It's most likely to have been a free range egg. Free range eggs often have a stronger taste and deeper colour due to the varied and more natural diet the hen is exposed to in a free range enviornment. Free range eggs are also generally believed to be of much better quality both from a taste point of view and a nutritional one for this very reason.

Q: How much of my time will it take to care for a small flock of chickens?

A: Once your flock is established in the new coop and have settled in, manageing them should take no more than a few minutes a day to provide food and fresh water and to collect the eggs. Cleaning and other maintainance can be carried out on a weekly basis or more frequently depending on the number of hens you keep.

Q: Do chickens ever fly?

A: They can and do fly but not particularly well. Chickens are generally ground dwelling birds and are clumsy in flight. They usually only attempt to take flight when startled or to flee from danger. Even at this, the flight is a very brief one.

Q: I have a dog and my neighbour has a pet cat, can I still keep chickens?

A: As mentioned above, dogs and cats should be given consideration when deciding if you can keep chickens. Most family dogs are uninterested in chasing hens but it really depends on the dogs temperment. Even if you dont own a cat there may well be one living in the area and cats are known to travel long distances during the night to hunt, so the neighbours cat may well become a problem if your chickens are loose in the yard.