RAISING CHICKENS CAN BE FUN!Raising chickens is an interesting job to undertake, but for those considering this commitment, there are things to know. Keeping chickens, whether you are raising backyard chickens or a whole barn for a distributor, this job can be fun and challenging. Chicken farming can be fun! WHY RAISE CHICKENS?Chickens are a low maintenance animal that provide a great source of nutrition through their eggs. As an added perk that many people don’t think about, chickens also provide a source of natural pest control. Chickens also provide natural weed control! Imagine using no chemicals and getting rid of pest and weeds.
Aside from the practical reasons for owning chickens, there’s also the opportunity to experience what unique pets these creatures can be. Generally friendly, raising backyard chickens offers the opportunity to discover the multiple aspects of the chicken’s personalities. HOW TO START RAISING CHICKENSYou will need a chicken coop if you are raising backyard chickens. See free chicken coop plans for raising chickens. This can wait the first two months or so, though. When keeping chickens, you will be starting with baby chickens or chicks.
During the first 60 days or so, pine shavings in a box or small cage is fine. When raising chickens, the temperature should be about 90-100 degrees the first week (warm with a 100-watt bulb in the cage). Decrease it by five degrees each week as they mature. A diet of chick crumbles (available at any feed store) and a chicken watering devise are sufficient. Socialize chickens for human contact if they are going to be backyard chickens. Spending some time playing with them every day will be fun for human and chicken. Take the baby chickens outside daily where they can explore and scratch; just make sure they can be caught so they don’t get lost and eaten by a predator. Once the first sixty days have passed, it’s time to move the chickens to a chicken house. Chickens are kept in a chicken coop to protect them from both land and air predators. Chickens need about four square feet per chicken when in the coop. When raising chickens, the coop can be as simple as chicken wire on a frame or as elaborate as a shed to add decorative value to the yard. Much like when chicks were tiny, pine shavings are still the best option for flooring. When feeding them, offer chicken feed in the form of pellets. Keep clean water in the chicken waterer. For treats, chickens can be offered everything from vegetables and bread to bugs. Keeping chickens can be a rewarding experience. Continue to research for successful results. Once established, chicken farms are easy to maintain. Chicken farming is an interesting job to undertake, but for those considering this commitment, there are things to know. Whether you are raising backyard chickens or a whole barn for a distributor or chicken hatchery, this job can be fun and challenging. Chicken farming can be fun! CHICKEN BREEDS
CHICKEN COOP
CHICKEN DISEASES
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