F.A.Q
Can I buy just hens?
Exotic breeds are impossible to sex as chicks, which is why they are sold as straight run so please don’t ask me for just hens. It takes about 4-5 months to tell if you have a hen or rooster.
Do the hens lay eggs?
Yes after about 4 months or so the roosters will crow and you’ll be able to determine which is hens and yes hens lay eggs.
How is this different from a layer hen?
A layer hen is simply a category of common breed chickens that are popular for consistency in egg laying. Layer hens are expected to lay about 300 eggs per year. The exotic breeds are expected to lay about 200 eggs per year, however this is based on living conditions where winter is a factor. Here in Hawaii we have sun almost year round and if you accompany this with great food you can expect 200-300 eggs per year. This is why as pets the exotic breeds are the way to go.
How old is day-old chicks?
Chicks that are called "day-old" can be anywhere from 1-7 days when sold (day old is a term used)
Can I just get one chick?
Chickens are highly social animals who thrive with flocks of 3 or more. A single chicken will not thrive in a solitary existence. Chickens like to eat and forage, roost and dust-bathe together. Unlike most other birds, they even lay eggs in common nests and often raise chicks communally. If you can't keep more than one chicken, you should consider another pet.
Do baby chicks need a heat lamp?
Yes for about 2 months till their feathers grow in they will need to have a source of heat.
Also check out this page for brooder setup: https://www.chickenskauai.com/how-to-prepare.html
What food do I feed them?
Chick starter feed is important for their growth, please don’t substitute for layer feed. Once they are 4 months old they can switch to layer feed. Kitchen scraps are also a great food source.
Aloha feed store located in puhi is a great place to pick up supplies.
Is it expensive to raise chickens?
Raising chickens doesn't have to be expensive and can be easily done on a budget.
The approximate cost to build a chicken coop for 3-5 chickens can be anywhere from $50-$600 depending on how extravagant you choose to buy or build. The cheapest method is using wood pallets which are free and yard stakes.
The average feed cost per month can run anywhere from $20-$50. Kitchen scraps are also great to feed chickens.
I spoil mine with kitchen scraps, organic feed, mealworms.
Exotic breeds are impossible to sex as chicks, which is why they are sold as straight run so please don’t ask me for just hens. It takes about 4-5 months to tell if you have a hen or rooster.
Do the hens lay eggs?
Yes after about 4 months or so the roosters will crow and you’ll be able to determine which is hens and yes hens lay eggs.
How is this different from a layer hen?
A layer hen is simply a category of common breed chickens that are popular for consistency in egg laying. Layer hens are expected to lay about 300 eggs per year. The exotic breeds are expected to lay about 200 eggs per year, however this is based on living conditions where winter is a factor. Here in Hawaii we have sun almost year round and if you accompany this with great food you can expect 200-300 eggs per year. This is why as pets the exotic breeds are the way to go.
How old is day-old chicks?
Chicks that are called "day-old" can be anywhere from 1-7 days when sold (day old is a term used)
Can I just get one chick?
Chickens are highly social animals who thrive with flocks of 3 or more. A single chicken will not thrive in a solitary existence. Chickens like to eat and forage, roost and dust-bathe together. Unlike most other birds, they even lay eggs in common nests and often raise chicks communally. If you can't keep more than one chicken, you should consider another pet.
Do baby chicks need a heat lamp?
Yes for about 2 months till their feathers grow in they will need to have a source of heat.
Also check out this page for brooder setup: https://www.chickenskauai.com/how-to-prepare.html
What food do I feed them?
Chick starter feed is important for their growth, please don’t substitute for layer feed. Once they are 4 months old they can switch to layer feed. Kitchen scraps are also a great food source.
Aloha feed store located in puhi is a great place to pick up supplies.
Is it expensive to raise chickens?
Raising chickens doesn't have to be expensive and can be easily done on a budget.
The approximate cost to build a chicken coop for 3-5 chickens can be anywhere from $50-$600 depending on how extravagant you choose to buy or build. The cheapest method is using wood pallets which are free and yard stakes.
The average feed cost per month can run anywhere from $20-$50. Kitchen scraps are also great to feed chickens.
I spoil mine with kitchen scraps, organic feed, mealworms.