Raising chickens can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience, whether you're looking to have fresh eggs daily or simply enjoy the companionship of these fascinating birds. Here’s a detailed, step-by-step guide to help you start your chicken-raising journey on the right foot.
When Chicks Arrive
The first thing you need when your chicks arrive is a safe place for them to grow, such as a brooder box. You'll also need a brooder lamp to keep your newborn chicks warm. If they're huddling under the lamp, it means they are too cold. If they're forming a ring around the light, then they're too warm.
Assisting with the Chicks’ Needs
You must teach the chicks how to drink water by dipping their beaks into the water. Provide plenty of water at a constant pace for them. Clean the area thoroughly where the chicks are living. If food gets wet, it grows mold and won't be suitable for the chicks to consume. Make sure to wash out the water containers before refilling them to prevent the spread of parasites and diseases.
After 8 weeks, the chicks should be grown enough to move out to the great outdoors. With these simple steps, they will thrive in the flock and be healthy producers for your farm.
Preparing to Raise Chickens
The very first thing in raising chickens is buying or building a wooden chicken coop. The coop must have a feeder and water containers, as well as a nest box for every three chickens. The chicken coop must be large enough for you to gather the eggs and comfortably shovel manure.
Chickens need water and food daily. Chicken food is usually around $20 for a 50-pound bag. How long the food lasts depends on how many chickens you own.
Hens will lay eggs through spring and summer and into the fall, as they have 12 to 14 hours of daylight. You should expect to collect eggs daily and sometimes even twice a day, depending on how many hens you have.
You might want to consider keeping multiple chickens because they are sociable birds. Each chicken must have at least 2 square feet of coop floor because they need space, or they will get aggressive. The more space your chickens have, the happier and healthier they will be. Overcrowding the chicken coop contributes to feather picking and even disease.
A chicken coop must include a place for the birds to spread their wings, such as a chicken run or a spacious backyard. This space must be fenced to keep your chickens in and protected from predators.
Why Raise Chickens?
Many things are appealing about raising chickens in your backyard. The eggs are an obvious benefit of raising chickens, which are better tasting, fresher, and better for cooking than any store-bought eggs. What many don’t realize is that chickens are great garden companions because they keep an eye out for insects and pests. Chickens can help keep your garden safe while providing you with eggs.
Benefits of Raising Chickens:
Chickens are inexpensive and easy to maintain compared to most other pets.
They lay fresh eggs, which are delicious and nutritious.
They provide chemical-free bug and weed control in your garden, saving you money on chemical supplies.
They are one of the world’s best fertilizers and will dig over your garden for free.
They can be pets with personalities that are fun and friendly.
They offer a hands-on learning experience for children.
Legal Considerations for Backyard Chickens
Before you start your flock, make sure having chickens is allowed in your city, and understand the local ordinances applied to your specific area. You need to make sure you're legally allowed to raise chickens before spending time and money preparing for your flock.
Search the database for local chicken laws and ordinances.
Check the homeowner’s association rules.
Check for any setbacks such as distance from your coop to property lines, fences, and buildings before building your chicken coop or buying prefab chicken coops.
Raising chickens is easier if you have a good relationship with your neighbors, and you avoid loud roosters. Although it’s not mandatory, it would be a good idea to check with your neighbors and see if they are okay with you raising chickens in the backyard. Some people might have a fear of chickens or some sort of allergy that might cause them to react if you grow a flock in your backyard.
Step-by-Step Guide to Raising Chickens
Plan the Size of Your Brood
Before investing in any equipment, decide on the size of your brood. Four chickens is a pretty common size for hobby broods. If you're planning on selling eggs commercially or even gifting them to friends and family, bigger might be better.
Survey Your Space
Figure out how many chickens your property can accommodate. Check your local ordinance for rules regarding setbacks, sizing, and placement of animal shelters. Ensure your coop and run are large enough for your brood.
Get Legal
Gather your site and coop plans and submit them to the appropriate authorities. Include any required fees and applications.
Buy Plans or Purchase a Coop
Whether purchasing new or used, select a model that fits your brood.
Install Your New Coop and Run
The easiest route is to buy a finished chicken coop. However, if the enclosures require assembly, follow the plan or manufacturer’s instructions.
Collect the Supplies Your Birds Need to Survive
Purchase everything your brood needs beforehand: heat lamp, heat source, brooder, bedding, nesting box(es), feed, and feeding and watering equipment.
Assemble the Nesting Boxes and Brooder
Use hobbyist-friendly schematics or manufacturer instructions to set up your brooder and nesting boxes. If you’re planning to hand-raise chicks, the brooder is a top priority.
Set Up the Feeding and Watering Equipment (and Test)
Ensure your feeding and watering equipment is set up and functioning properly.
Buy Your Chickens
If you're a long-time chicken enthusiast, you might already have a favorite breed. If not, research your options. Popular backyard chicken breeds include Barnevelder, ISA Brown, Plymouth, and Australorp.
Keep the Coop and Run Clean
Draw up a cleaning schedule for your coop and run. A well-designed coop allows for cleaning from the outside using plastic trays to catch falling waste. Check for and remove eggs daily and replace bedding as necessary.
Raise Happy, Healthy, and Productive Chickens!
Remember, a happy and healthy brood means more eggs. While you can't force your chickens to lay, you can encourage them. Healthy chickens need plenty of water, protein-rich feed, calm spaces for roosting, dark and quiet nesting boxes, adequate hygiene, suitable climate control, and ventilation. With the right care, most breeds of hens remain at peak productivity, laying an egg almost every day for up to two or three years. Some breeds can even continue laying for close to a decade.
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