‘Chicken Whisperer’ of Peters Township draws crowd at library
Jon Andreassi/The Almanac
Shadow the rooster patrolled the room while Kristan Marchewka spoke.
Jon Andreassi/The Almanac
A health issue chicks can develop is “splay leg.” Left untreated, it can prevent the chick from ever being able to walk.
Jon Andreassi/The Almanac
Kristan Marchewka demonstrates how to dip a chick’s beak into water to teach them how to drink.
Jon Andreassi/The Almanac
Kristan Marchewka spoke to a crowd at the Peters Township Public Library earlier this month about the basics of raising backyard chickens.
Those in Peters Township looking to start their own backyard chicken farm have a ready and willing guide in Kristan Marchewka.
Dozens of residents visited Peters Township Public Library earlier this month to hear Marchewka run through the basics of building a chicken coop and raising chicks.
In Peters, backyard chickens are legal as long as the owner does not run afoul of the regulations. They include making sure coops are not housed within 25 feet of the main home, and not within 200 feet of any property line. Residents are also limited to six hens, but that limit goes up to 10 on properties larger than 10 acres in rural and low-density residential districts.
Those who qualify to have 10 chickens are also permitted to own roosters. For most residents, however, no males are allowed in the coops. The Peters Township planning department can assist residents in determining what is permissible on their property.
Marchewka, who operates Roos & Bawks Consultants, began by saying the first question prospective chicken owners need to answer is, “Why?”
“Do you want them for the eggs? Do you want them for meat? Do you want to be more self-sustaining? Do you want pets?” Marchewka said.
The answer will help determine what breed of chicken best suits your purposes. Someone who just wants the eggs might want to go for a red star chicken, while Plymouth Rock chickens make for good pets.
Marchewka wore a shirt bearing the phrase, “I raise tiny dinosaurs.” Though the chicken has prehistoric ancestors, its demeanor is better described by Marchewka’s other nickname for them — “feather puppies.”
Chickens can be social, friendly creatures that don’t mind being held, and those raising chicks from hatchlings to adults will need to take on the role of mother hen.
“When you get your baby chicks at home, since they do not have a mom you will need to teach them how to eat and drink,” Marchewka said before walking around the room with a chick to demonstrate how to gently wet its beak.
Those planning to bring chicks home should be prepared with a brooder for them to live in for the first five to eight weeks. The brooder should have a feeder, waterer, bedding and a heat source.
Chicks can be purchased at stores such as Tractor Supply or Rural King, but can also be bought through mail order from hatcheries. Marchewka said those going with the latter option should visit their local post office and arrange to pick up the chicks before they go out with your regular mail.
Marchewka recommends buying from a local chicken breeder if possible. Marchewka notes that it is possible not all chicks acquired via mail order will survive the journey.
“It can be hard for little kids. If you have a little kid at home that can’t wait to open that box, please sneak aside and open it first for them. You definitely don’t want them to be their first memory,” Marchewka said.
There are also health issues new chick owners should look out for, including a common one called “pasty butt,” which occurs when droppings become stuck and prevent the chick from excreting further. Though easily cleared and treated, Marchewka warns that pulling on the obstruction could injure or even kill your chicks.
At about five to eight weeks, it will be time to move the chickens into their coop. The initial cost for a coop is about $300 minimum, and at least another $150 for the run. Marchewka says to expect to pay about $300 a year for feed. Feeders and waterers will cost about $25 each.
The coop should have a door leading to the run. In the run, chickens need a “dust bath,” which could be dirt from your yard, ashes or sand. The bath helps protect them from bugs such as mites, lice or fleas.
Marchewka currently funds Roos & Bawks through donations. She will help potential chicken owners get everything they need to set up, other than building the coop. She can be reached at roosandbawks@gmail.com.