Chicken Housing Plans
Richard asks…
how many acres would i need, and how much would it cost?
if i were planning on building a sanctuary of sorts... to house unwanted animals such as sheep, chickens, pigs and dogs, how many acres of land would it take to build a reasonable sized house to house around four people, some sort of outhouse for the animals, and land for the animals to move around in? and how much would i be looking at spending for the lot? (preferable located in south of england, and the amount of animals kept would be a maximum of around 20) any help would be appreciated.
Building Chicken Coops answers:
Buy the food and you will only need an acre.
Mary asks…
Can anyone come up with a Healthy Eating Plan?
I'm 17, 5"7 and I weigh 335lbs(Not afraid to admit) I wanna lose 50lbs or more before the year is over with. I'm starting June 1st. So far it's been about a week now, I've cut out all Junk Food. I've just been eating Baked Chicken Breast and Veggies and Walking 3-4Miles of Indoor Walking everyday. Can anyone come up with a Healthy Eating Plan? I'm in school so I get up everyday at 5:30am, exercise, fruit and I'm out the house before 7:30. Please Help Me thanks.
You Guys thanks for the help. But I was kind of looking for a sample menu/plan.
Building Chicken Coops answers:
Breakfast:
Whole grain cereal strawberries ( or fruit ), a glass (1 glass) of orange juice.
Eat snacks like fruit, granola bars, etc.
Lunch:
Whole grain bread w/ any middle part u want, with fruit and a low fat drink.
Dinner:
Anything that has a fist size of meat, a fist size of carbs (spaghettie/ rice), and the rest vegies.
EXCERCISE:
Go walking when you want.
Get active. Play a sport.
Keep it going. It takes time.
You should be able to lose weight then.
Ken asks…
What are some good combined retirement and birthday party ideas?
My mom retires Friday after 33 years at her job as a secretary.My nephew's 5th birthday is on the same day. I want to throw them a small, family only party. I want to have my sister, her husband, my niece (age 6), my father and boyfriend attend. I plan on having the party at my parent's house (my apartment is too small) on Friday evening. I want it to be more elegant for my mom but also fun for my nephew. I would like to serve appetizers and cook a special dinner something kid friendly yet elegant (chicken parmesan or salisbury steak). Maybe separate cakes (vanilla for mom, chocolate for nephew), cheap champagne to toast the retirement and sparkling cider to toast the birthday, etc...(this is where you fill in your ideas on things)
Building Chicken Coops answers:
That is really sweet of you! If you go ahead and E-mail me, I can help you plan a really fun and elegant party for your whole family!
Tell me your budget, how many attendees, and anything else I should know
Daniel asks…
What should I cook for my Mum on Mothers day?
My brother and I are planning on cooking dinner for our Mum 2moro. Our Dad is going to America 2moro so he isnt there nd they are going out 2 a friends house 4 dinner tonight. It is highly likely they will have chicken there, so I want something different to cook for her.
She likes just about anything, and a 3 course meal would be good.
Building Chicken Coops answers:
What is something she likes but only gets on special occasions? I'd make that.
Or
i like "breakfast for dinner" if that isn't too low key and cheesy for you,breakfast foods are delicious and easy,lots of options for a buffet style,and you could dress it up with fresh flowers etc. I bet she would think that was very sweet.
Or
you can't go wrong with a good spaghetti,salad,garlic bread and cheesecake or pie.
Nancy asks…
Are rhode Island reds good for backyard chickens in central florida?
Am planning to get at least two hens for the back yard...and maybe one rooster...thoughts? I have never raised chickens but have been around a lot of animals most of my life....just figured it'd be cool to have some chickens running around, not to mention the eggs.
BTW will they stay around our house (or come back if the roam) due to that being where the food is?
Building Chicken Coops answers:
First, you need to check your local ordinances and HOA and make sure you are allowed to keep chickens in your backyard. You may be able to keep hens and not roosters (roosters make more noise and can be a nuisance to neighbors).
Rhode Island Reds are good chickens and lay large, brown eggs. We have free roaming chickens, many of which are RIRs. (Note that we have 10+ acres, though).
They do roam. Ours come back at night, to their roosts. However, in a neighborhood you would not want them to roam. They would very likely be injured or killed by vehicles, cats, dogs, etc. As well, they will root up neighbors lawns and gardens and be a liability for you. If you have them, I would make sure they can not roam beyond your yard.
Hens can still lay eggs without roosters present (good for eating, just not fertile which means they would not develop into chicks). I have found that having atleat 5-6 hens for each rooster is optimal, as the roosters can literally harm a hen by mating too often (with 5-6 the coupling with each hen is less frequent).
George asks…
What are some good breeds of chicken for me to get?
My husband and I currently live in an apartment, but plan to move to a house with a decent amount of property, once I graduate and find a job. We will likely live in a temperate climate, so cold hardy is not a must. We want chickens who can provide eggs, fertilizer, and pest control for a garden. We also want chickens that are friendly and make decent pets. If we get them when they are chicks, we might not know if they are male or female, so knowing that roosters of a particular breed are friendly, is important. We also are not interested in breeds that look too crazy or ridiculous (see picture for example http://www.mypetchicken.com/images/chickenPix/large/Studio_WSilkie_649_L.jpg). We like barred rocks and Road Island reds, but we don't know anything about other breeds, and I don't know if barred rock roosters are friendly or not. We plan on having children and would like the chickens to also be pets for them to enjoy.
Building Chicken Coops answers:
Buff Orpingtons or Pekin Bantams. Buff Orpingtons are a large and generally friendly type of chicken that will get along with you fantastically well if you raise them from chicks or point of lay. There are many different colours of orpington and the best clours to have are Buff, Black, Blue or White because they have not been mixed much with other breeds of chickens, this is better for their personality. Here is some pictures of them
Buff: http://freespace.virgin.net/hillcroft.chickens/quartet_Buff_Orpington.jpg
Black: http://freespace.virgin.net/hillcroft.chickens/quartet_Buff_Orpington.jpg
Blue: http://www.freewebs.com/professorchickenhasmorebreeds/orpingtonhenblue.jpg
White: http://www.pagespoultry.co.uk/images/chickens/white_orpington_hen1.jpg
Pekin Bantams are also good pets, they have the personality of the Orpingtons but they are much, much smaller!
Here is a picture of them,
http://www.bbc.co.uk/cymru/gogleddorllewin/bywyd_bro/sioeau/images/lavender_pekin200.jpg
http://www.chrisjoneswildlifeart.com/Card%20pics/images/Ltd.Edition_Print_-_Young_Pekin_Bantam.jpg
http://www.poultrymad.co.uk/images/pekins/LavPekins.jpg
Hope this helps, and if you need anything else, just email me!
Laura asks…
Superbowl party food suggestions?
We're going to a friend's house to watch the Superbowl. They cooked for us for the NFC Championship game, so it's my turn to return the favor.
I need some ideas for some quick & easy foods. I already plan on making buffalo chicken dip.
Forgot to mention... they don't eat beef or pork.
Nina - I stole the buffalo chicken dip idea from your fb post. lol
Building Chicken Coops answers:
Chili/coneys, Metts with sauteed green peppers & onions, Sliders (mini cheeseburgers), Deviled eggs, Wings, the usual cheeseball....
&
Spicy potato skins! These are yummy!!! From the Food Network:
Mexican Potato Skin Bites
Recipe courtesy Aida Mollenkamp
Show: Ask AidaEpisode: Game On
Rated: 5 stars out of 5
Cook Time:40 min
Level: Easy
Yield: 6 to 8 servings (40 skins)
Ingredients
20 small new red potatoes
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
6 ounces Mexican chorizo, removed from casing
1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
2 green onions, thinly sliced crosswise
Sour cream, for serving
Directions
Heat the oven to 425 degrees F and arrange a rack in the upper third. Place potatoes on a baking sheet, drizzle with oil, season with salt, and toss to coat. Roast until potatoes are fork tender, about 30 minutes.
Set potatoes aside until cool enough to handle. Meanwhile, heat a medium nonstick frying pan to medium heat and cook chorizo, stirring occasionally, until browned, about 5 minutes. Set aside.
Slice potatoes in half and, using a melon baler or small spoon, scoop out most of the interior (leave about 1/4-inch of potato flesh). Divide chorizo among the skins and top with cheese. Bake until skins are warmed through and cheese is melted, about 5 minutes. Remove from oven, garnish with green onions, and pass sour cream on the side.
