Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
CASE STUDY: INHERITED JOY
Danny Williams
Several years ago, Danny Williams inherited three bantam Silkies from a friend who was
moving out of state. Named Pickle, Lil Bit, and Elvis, each has their own personality. “I never
thought chickens could be so charismatic,” Williams said.
Initially, Williams thought the bantams would be a hassle to care for and maintain. However,
he says, “Nothing can be further from the truth. I spend maybe $40 a month on seed and
hay. The building supplies cost about $80 to $100. You can sell eggs to cover these costs.
Sure, it can be smelly and messy at times but definitely worth it.”
The coop Williams and his wife have for their flock was made from leftover lumber that
Danny used to build an addition on to his house. He also had some shingles for the coop's
roof left over from the new roof he put on his own house. Williams said, “The floor is basic
plywood. I stained it with water resistant polymer. This may seem extreme to some, but it is
easy to clean. Just hose it off. That is what I was looking for — something easy. I was afraid
the clean up would be a nightmare each week, but it really is not a problem.”
Williams does not have trouble with predators, but his old Labrador retriever enjoys chasing
the birds every now and then. He said, “I do not know if he tries to catch them or is just play-
ing with them. I do not think he would know what to do if he did catch one.”
For new chicken owners, Williams has this to say, “It is a joy I never thought I would have.
Funny little creatures. I find the clucking noises rather serene and soothing.” He adds,
tongue in cheek, “Anyone want to buy some eggs?”
Tractor coops and urban coops
If your brood is small, you may want to consider a mobile coop called a
tractor coop
. These
are bottomless, mobile coops, and they are designed for chickens to scratch and graze. These
portable coops are on wheels, and you should push them around your yard so your birds have
fresh pasture, and so your yard will have the chance to produce new grass over the used patch
of land. Do not use a chemical pesticide where your chickens will be grazing because that can
be toxic, and the pesticides can pass through to the eggs. Plus, your birds will nibble up any
pesky insects, so you do not need chemical control.
City dwellers can purchase an urban coop such as the Eglu online from Omlet
(
www.omlet.us
). A 20-foot by 30-foot space is all you need to set up an Eglu. They come in
several sizes and colors and are offered in an egg shape or as a cube. The egg shape looks like
half of an egg and provides shelter for your birds. One end is enclosed, and the open end has
