Hello!
I found this forum yesterday in my continuing search to learn more about urban chicken-raising. I'm a grad student at Indiana University in Bloomington, planning to buy a house this spring, and really want to raise chickens. I've never had any outdoor animals before (thought I currently have a wonderful indoor-only cat), and am totally new at this. I've been reading about everything from the municipal code which says how many chickens I can have, to plans for chicken coops, and figuring out which breed to raise and where to get chicks. This brings up a number of questions...
1. Do chickens require an unreasonable amount of work? I can tend them mornings before school and evenings after, but I don't have a lot of free time during the week.
2. What breed? I want them primarily for their eggs, but would also like to be able to use their meat at the end of the year. (Is a one year turnaround too fast?)
3. Any local advice from anyone in/around Bloomington, as to legal issues, where to buy chicks, local suppliers, etc?
4. Chickens and gardens? I've been reading about the symbiotic relationship the two can have, and want to make the most of that when planning my garden, as well.
Any other general advice or references/suggested reading would be great! I look forward to being involved in this online community.
I found this forum yesterday in my continuing search to learn more about urban chicken-raising. I'm a grad student at Indiana University in Bloomington, planning to buy a house this spring, and really want to raise chickens. I've never had any outdoor animals before (thought I currently have a wonderful indoor-only cat), and am totally new at this. I've been reading about everything from the municipal code which says how many chickens I can have, to plans for chicken coops, and figuring out which breed to raise and where to get chicks. This brings up a number of questions...
1. Do chickens require an unreasonable amount of work? I can tend them mornings before school and evenings after, but I don't have a lot of free time during the week.
2. What breed? I want them primarily for their eggs, but would also like to be able to use their meat at the end of the year. (Is a one year turnaround too fast?)
3. Any local advice from anyone in/around Bloomington, as to legal issues, where to buy chicks, local suppliers, etc?
4. Chickens and gardens? I've been reading about the symbiotic relationship the two can have, and want to make the most of that when planning my garden, as well.
Any other general advice or references/suggested reading would be great! I look forward to being involved in this online community.