Are rhode Island reds good for backyard chickens in central florida?
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White Rhode Island chickens
Question by Billy Jack: 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?
Feel free to answer in the comment section below
2 Responses to Are rhode Island reds good for backyard chickens in central florida?
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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).
Organized Chaos
September 30, 2011 at 12:57 pm
You do not need a rooster if you just want eggs and they are a lot of bother.You would have to be careful of predators and have a house for them to roost in at night. You can clip the tips of the feathers on one wing to stop them flying off but are you sure you can devote the time to them. They are a responsibility and ned looking after. Why not get a book and read up on the subject.
ouine
September 30, 2011 at 1:38 pm