• Last updated 5/1/12 by BYC Project Manager

CHICKEN TREATS This is a list of everything you can feed a chicken. However, everybody's chickens have their own tiny brains full of likes and dislikes, so while one person's chickens may come running for grapes or watermelon, another person's chickens may turn up their pointy little beaks at it. Anything on this list is worth a try. Your comments are welcome - please post them on http://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=188621#p188621 At the bottom of the page are things you should avoid feeding your... read more

• Last updated 3/7/13 by support

Raising Chickens 101   So, you're interested in raising chickens?  You've embarked on a fun and exciting journey! BYC (BackYardChickens) is FULL of great information. If your question isn't answered in our Learning Center Articles then we promise there is an answer on our chicken forum.     Below are the absolute basics of raising chickens. For more detailed information please explore the rest of the site and join our forum.    Why Raise Chickens? Easy and inexpensive to maintain (when compared to most other... read more

• Last updated 11/20/12 by BYC Project Manager

Building a Treadle Feeder Auto Waterer Fang Dangled Automatic Waterer Autofill Bucket... read more

• Last updated 3/25/13 by BYC Project Manager

  Chicken Coops   Homemade Chicken Feeders & Waterers   Tractors vs Permanent Coops   Tractors vs Permanent - Pros & Cons   Chicken Treat Chart     Reducing Feed Costs Nesting... read more

• Last updated 3/18/12 by support

  Raising Baby Chickens - The First 60 Days Related Tutorials: How-To #1: Hatching Eggs   General Hints  So, now you have some cute little fuzzballs... what now?? The main things to attend to for the first 60 days: housing temperature food and water cleanliness   Chicks should be kept indoors (or in a heated brooder) until they have their feathers, about 5-8 weeks.   Brooders  The chicks' first home is called a "brooder". For one-time or once-in-a-while use, a cardboard box works just fine. A cage suitable for a rabbit or guinea pig... read more

• Last updated 5/1/12 by BYC Project Manager

    Chicken nesting boxes come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The basic idea is to have a dry, clean and relatively dark area where your hens can lay their eggs. Here are some of the basics for a good nesting box:   One nesting box for every 2-4 hens. Size: Nest boxes should be big enough for your hen to stand in comfortably. Usually 12 x 12 x 12 inches is adequate, but building bigger is usually a good idea. Nesting material: Many people use either wood shavings (pine usually) or straw. We personally suggest dry wood shavings over... read more

• Last updated 5/1/12 by BYC Project Manager

  Deep Litter Method DLM is basically a method in which you allow your coop litter to build up over a period of time. As the chicken manure and litter of choice compost, it helps to heat the coop, which in turn helps keep the chickens warmer. I had never heard of this before BYC and cleaning the coops once or twice a year, as opposed to weekly cleanings fits our lifestyle. I began using the DLM in early September '07, when we moved most of our Bantam flock from the Teacup Pterodactyl Townhouse into the main coop. I started out by adding 4 - 6 inches of pine... read more

• Last updated 11/19/12 by Nifty-Chicken

The GopherBator toxo's Incubator als-homemade-cabinet-incubato chic-chick-bator ... read more

• Last updated 3/19/12 by support

1.Should I buy pullets or straight run chicks?    Pullets have been sexed by the hatchery and are usually sexed 90% accurately. Most hatcheries or feed stores will refund your money or buy back the cockerels which exceed 10%. Straight run chicks are usually less expensive, but they are 50% pullets and 50% cockerels (more or less). 2.When can my chicks go outside?    You should wait until they are fully feathered to put them outside.Depending on the temperature, they can go outside when they are from 5 to 12 weeks old. Will racoons hurt my chickens?    Yes. Racoons... read more

• Last updated 11/19/12 by Nifty-Chicken

amferro103's Brooder mtullis's Brooder the-brooder-pen my-brooder ... read more