Chickens?

Do it! I wish I could where I live...

As far as predators go, look into one of these for your coop:

http://www.poultrybutler.com/automatic-chicken-coop-door/automatic-coop-door.php

(Or something similar)

My run is 100% closed in. They can't escape and predators can't get in, so we don't bother closing the coop door at night.

We have had chickens for 25 odd years now. Love my birds! They develop a language in their little flock. Gossip, warn about hawks/hazards. Absolutely fascinating animals... But, yes, they are food for EVERYTHING out there... Good luck and chicks can be ordered at any time. You don't need a rooster for eggs and I find roosters are just a PITA!!!!

Had a neighbor whom had chickens and a rooster the rooster would start crowing at 2:am and go till the sun rose. I got tired and wife couldn't sleep. After a couple calls to the owner he got pissed and said. " What the F$$k can I do. I said into the phone at 2AM to him Ring it'sFu#^en Neck. I never heard that rooster after that. And never had to do the early calls to the owner. So if your in the town DO NOT GET A ROOSTER. you'll be sorry, if someone like me lives there. He will call you when the dam thing crows in early hours.

F$!k chickens! The hens can be just as loud and obnoxious as the roosters, and the noise can ruin a whole neighborhood, make it impossible to enjoy sitting on the deck. There is no sound worse than listening to a hen squawk at the top of its lungs for hours. Used to throw shit at my Bantams until I said screw this and got rid of the nasty obnoxious things. 

Get ducks. They're quieter, lay bigger and better eggs, will de-slug your garden without wrecking it like a chicken, and are just an all around better choice.

^^^ What He Said ^^^   

Duck eggs.  Really?  I'll have to try that.

I agree with wizz. Hens are pain and destroys lawn. Noise can be very annoying. When they are broody they turn loco too.

F$!k chickens! The hens can be just as loud and obnoxious as the roosters, and the noise can ruin a whole neighborhood, make it impossible to enjoy sitting on the deck. There is no sound worse than listening to a hen squawk at the top of its lungs for hours. Used to throw shit at my Bantams until I said screw this and got rid of the nasty obnoxious things. 

Get ducks. They're quieter, lay bigger and better eggs, will de-slug your garden without wrecking it like a chicken, and are just an all around better choice.

Different breeds can be quieter or noisier. We have Buff Orpingtons which is a quieter breed. They do make noise, but they are way better than the average dog.

Maybe that's why those kids took golf clubs to the foster farms chickens??   They killed 922 of them. Crazy!!

Duck eggs.  Really?  I'll have to try that.

Mmmmmmmmmmm... Duck eggs.

They're actually more nutritious than chicken eggs as well.

Raising quail is another good one. They're quiet, delicious little eggs, and delicious little birds. 

F$!k chickens! The hens can be just as loud and obnoxious as the roosters, and the noise can ruin a whole neighborhood, make it impossible to enjoy sitting on the deck. There is no sound worse than listening to a hen squawk at the top of its lungs for hours. Used to throw shit at my Bantams until I said screw this and got rid of the nasty obnoxious things. 

Get ducks. They're quieter, lay bigger and better eggs, will de-slug your garden without wrecking it like a chicken, and are just an all around better choice.

I have had chickens and ducks for a few years. Yes all birds make noise. Its really not that bad. As for ducks I have two and they are the loudest little "bit%^s"  . I really like having ducks and have a little pond for them. They love to swim around but the water will always be dirty and they need water to eat ( unlike chickens ). Ducks are more work and way louder but that said I have them as a hobby and I love duck eggs. I would start with chickens.. as mentioned some breeds are a lil quieter. Good luck post some pictures when your up and running.

F$!k chickens! The hens can be just as loud and obnoxious as the roosters, and the noise can ruin a whole neighborhood, make it impossible to enjoy sitting on the deck. There is no sound worse than listening to a hen squawk at the top of its lungs for hours. Used to throw shit at my Bantams until I said screw this and got rid of the nasty obnoxious things. 

Get ducks. They're quieter, lay bigger and better eggs, will de-slug your garden without wrecking it like a chicken, and are just an all around better choice.

I have had chickens and ducks for a few years. Yes all birds make noise. Its really not that bad. As for ducks I have two and they are the loudest little "bit%^s"  . I really like having ducks and have a little pond for them. They love to swim around but the water will always be dirty and they need water to eat ( unlike chickens ). Ducks are more work and way louder but that said I have them as a hobby and I love duck eggs. I would start with chickens.. as mentioned some breeds are a lil quieter. Good luck post some pictures when your up and running.

I guess that's a matter of opinion. I think it is that bad. I have two neighbors with chickens and between them their is an obnoxious hen squawking at the top of its lungs all day and it absolutely ruins the neighborhood. And they don't make a squawk collar.

You're the first person who I've ever heard say ducks are louder. I've had quite a few friends who've made the switch and their experience without exception runs counter to yours. I've never heard a duck emit a high, extremely loud, shrill squawk like a hen. My Bantams were the worst. Tasty though since I bailed on chickens really fast.

Do it! I wish I could where I live...

As far as predators go, look into one of these for your coop:

http://www.poultrybutler.com/automatic-chicken-coop-door/automatic-coop-door.php

(Or something similar)

My run is 100% closed in. They can't escape and predators can't get in, so we don't bother closing the coop door at night.

Good stuff. I was thinking more for a free range setup. Not needed if the whole area is safe for them.

We actually use one of those timed doors at my folks house to keep racoons from raiding the cat food bowl in the garage at night. Works like a charm.

 

  Just noticed last night, that we have a small family of 3 coons that have claimed out area as home.  I noticed a neighbors place (They abandoned  it 8mo ago) last night that their yard light went on and off a few times then a couple minutes later my yard light went on.  The 3 masked bandit's were on my porch making their rounds.  We have no pet food out (Never had) so not sure why there coming around. 
 
  Believe me there will be NO Roosters when we start our chickens.

 

You don't need a nesting box for every hen either. We generally have between 20-30+ hens and they maybe use six or seven boxes. We don't keep roosters, they really tear up the hens' backs. However, if you don't have a rooster, one hen will take the roosters' position and be lookout and produce little to no eggs.

Chickens are cool birds though. I threw a live mouse to them one time and it was horrific. Bits and pieces of mouse was flying everywhere for about two seconds. Mine always come running and surround my fish cleaning station every time I'm by it. I give them guts, eggs and trim the backs of fillets for them.

We have had chickens for 25 odd years now. Love my birds! They develop a language in their little flock. Gossip, warn about hawks/hazards. Absolutely fascinating animals... But, yes, they are food for EVERYTHING out there... Good luck and chicks can be ordered at any time. You don't need a rooster for eggs and I find roosters are just a PITA!!!!

Had a neighbor whom had chickens and a rooster the rooster would start crowing at 2:am and go till the sun rose. I got tired and wife couldn't sleep. After a couple calls to the owner he got pissed and said. " What the F$$k can I do. I said into the phone at 2AM to him Ring it'sFu#^en Neck. I never heard that rooster after that. And never had to do the early calls to the owner. So if your in the town DO NOT GET A ROOSTER. you'll be sorry, if someone like me lives there. He will call you when the dam thing crows in early hours.

It's not just roosters that crow.  We have a hen that crows.  Since roosters are not allowed in our neighborhood because of the noise factor, I'm waiting for a visit from the county code enforcement officer.  Still a crowing chicken is not as annoying as a barking dog.