Raising chickens is a fun family activity.Many people think of their chickens as pets and food providers.To keep your chickens and eggs safe, you need to invest in a brooder, protect hens from predators and protect yourself and the animals from harmfulbacteria.Chickens can be raised for eggs.
Step 1: Do you know if raising chickens on your land is legal?
Chickens can't be raised in city lines.It is a good idea to check with your homeowner's association.They may have more restrictions.Chickens are not subject to the same laws as roosters in most cities.If you want to grow chickens for meat, you may need a rooster.
Step 2: You should talk to your neighbors.
Chickens make a lot of noise.If you have neighbors close by, don't have roosters!Chickens will still chirp, but they won't crow like roosters.If you can, give your neighbors free eggs every few weeks.If they get some benefits, they might be more open to the idea.
Step 3: Make sure you have enough time to care for the animals.
Most days of the year you will need to stay at home to clean and harvest eggs.This responsibility may not be for you if you work long hours.
Step 4: There is an area in your backyard that can be used for a chicken house.
You have a little bit of time to build it if you are raising the birds from chicks.If you are buying older hens, you need to have a coop.
Step 5: Chickens are 2 months old when you buy a chicken coop.
If you search online, you may be able to find someone who makes a new model to avoid shipping.You can get a plan to build a coop online.A design with lots of light will make your chickens happy.Chickens can roam, but should be protected during the day.There are many places to buy a chicken coop.A chicken tractor is a portable chicken run.
Step 6: Make your chicken house stronger.
There are coyotes, mountain lions, and even dogs that can slip through cracks.Extra chicken wire, nails, wooden or stone borders are worth some money.
Step 7: Before you bring the chick home, prepare your brooder.
Throw in bedding, feeders and a heat lamp.
Step 8: Buying hens is a good idea.
They are available in the fall after people have raised too many animals.It is difficult to distinguish between hens that are near the end of their egg-laying years and those who are young with many years of laying eggs ahead of them.
Step 9: If you want to hatch eggs the first year you raise chickens, buy a chick.
Eggs can be purchased in stores and by mail.Some eggs don't hatch and they may not have the sex determined.
Step 10: Before you take the chick home, set up your brooder.
A brooder is a warm place to nest.For the first few weeks of life, they can't regulate their body temperature.A thick cardboard or plastic box is needed.When the chicks are small, you should replace it gradually.The area of your house that has a steady temperature is where the box should be.The pine shavings should be put into the bottom of the box.The side of the box has a heat lamp on it.The temperature can be kept at a steady 95 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 11: Buy chick waterer, chick feeders and chick starter feed from your local feed store.
Step 12: You can buy day-old chickens at the store.
You can buy them in February and April.Thepullets are female.A full grown chicken between 2 months and 2 years old will lay 5 eggs per week.Purchase 3 to 4 chickens in order to get a dozen per week.Make sure your size is large enough to accommodate them.There should be a minimum of 3 to 4 square feet of space per chicken inside and a maximum of 10 square Feet outside.
Step 13: Purchase several types of chickens.
A mixed group has different sizes and colors.Americana chickens are prized for their colored eggs.Rhode Island reds, Cochin chickens and Barred Rocks are some of the popular breeds.Australorps, Orpingtons, and Faverolles are winter layers and may be worth buying in cold-weather areas.Breeds that are considered fancy will lay fewer eggs.They are developed for their looks rather than their egg-laying abilities.
Step 14: The heat lamp should be moved slightly farther away every week.
If you keep it at 95 degrees the first week, you can decrease it by 5 degrees each week until you reach 65 degrees.You can take the lamp away completely after you reach 65 degrees.You can accurately judge the temperature by keeping a thermometer in the box.
Step 15: The first day you bring the chick home, dip its beaks in water.
They don't know how to drink yet.For the next few months, keep an eye on water levels.Hot chicks will have their beak open.
Step 16: For the first few months, buy chick feed.
Chickens need food with a little sand in it, and baby chick crumbles have already accounted for this.You can mix your own scraps with sand when you replace chickens.
Step 17: After 2 months, move the chickens outside.
You might want to wait a little longer if it is still very cold.
Step 18: Feed your chickens different food.
Chicken crumbles, food scraps, insects from the lawn, night crawlers, grass and corn are some of the things they can eat.They need cracked corn in the winter to keep their body warm.Store bought eggs have higher cholesterol and saturated fats than free-range eggs.They have higher levels of Omega 3.
Step 19: Chickens should not be allowed to roam free without supervision.
They will become prey even if you want them to have freedom.They can run around when you are doing yard work or playing in the lawn.They should be kept in the run until nightfall and then closed up.
Step 20: There is a fake egg in the boxes.
They can get into the habit of eating eggs if it is not a real egg.They need to know where to put their eggs.New hens are taught how to behave by having chickens of different ages.Replacing 1/3 of the flock is suggested by most sources.
Step 21: Eggs can be gathered each day to free up the boxes.
Step 22: The anti-bacterial bloom on the egg cannot be wiped with a soft cloth.
Mother hens use this coating to protect their eggs.
Step 23: Eggs can be stored at 45 degrees.
They should be kept in the refrigerator.Warmer temperatures can increase the growth ofbacteria.
Step 24: It's a good idea to protect against salmonella.
The backyard hens will not be able to produce contaminated eggs.Eggs covered in chicken feces should be washed.They should be put in a sanitizer with 1/2oz.A gallon of water has 1 liter of chlorine.You should eat eggs quickly.As the egg white breaks down, older eggs have a higher risk of being contaminated.Place chicken waste in a composter for at least 45 to 60 days.Vegetables may be contaminated by fresh chicken feces.Keep potentially contaminated eggs away from pregnant women, young children or people who are chronically ill.