Originally Posted by advent7006

I was fostered by a couple who had a chicken farm,so here goes what they taught me,you need an enclosed well ventelated but draught proof house this is for them to sleep in,they need to perch at night(a broom handle is perfect and cheap),needs to be about 12inches off the floor.For day time enclose the said house with chicken wire,you need to dig down at least half 24 inches as foxes will dig to get to your chickens,a concrete suround is good.The food is up to you,they will not eat all house scraps,but bread they love or greens,you will also have to give them corn,best to put this in a plastic hung up feeder.Also throw in every other day sand,they love it (helps to make the shells of the eggs).Nest box is also needed for five chickens two is ample.A male is only needed if you intend to breed (or you need him to buy the girls a drink or new clothes).Clean water is needed non stop.Chickens will lay small eggs the first year,second year big eggs,after two years its hit n miss.Redmite is the disease to look out for,its easy to spot,it lives off the chickens blood.Remember chickens attract vermin?My advice would be not chickens but bantams they are smaller more cute,lay good quality eggs and cost less to keep.Good luck in whatever you decide.
God bless.
NOW WHERE'S MY KARMA