Raising Chickens
101
(The Basics)
So, you're interested in
raising chickens? You've embarked on a fun an exciting journey! BYC (BackYardChickens)
is FULL of great information. If your question isn't answered in the main pages
of the site 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?
Here are a few of the most frequently expressed reasons people raise chickens:
- Easy and inexpensive
to maintain (when compared to most other pets)
- Eggs that are fresh,
great-tasting & nutritious
- Chemical-free bug and
weed control
- Manufacture the worlds
best fertilizer
- Fun & friendly pets
with personality (yes, you read that right)
Where To Get Chicks:
How To Care For
A Chick - First 60 Days:
- Young Chick Brooder
- Can be as simple as a sturdy cardboard box or a small animal cage like one
you'd use for rabbits.
- Flooring - Pine shavings
work best
- Temperature - 90 to
100 deg. for the first week, decrease 5 deg. per week. A 100 watt bulb
pointing in one corner (not the whole brooder) works well.
- Food & water - chick
crumbles / starter & a chick waterer
- Play time - Play with
your chicks when young to get the use to being around people.
- Outside time - Section
off an area in your yard where the chicks can explore, scratch, etc.
Make sure you can catch them when it's time to come in.
- More details: Raising
Chicks
Chicken Care After
First 60 Days, General Chicken Care:
- Chicken
Coops - Once feathered out you'll want to move your chickens into a chicken
coop! Rule of thumb is about 2-3 square feet per chicken inside
the henhouse and 4-5 sq/ft per chicken in an outside run. Keep local predators
in mind and make a safe home for your flock!
- Flooring - Pine shavings
work best. You can even try the deep
litter method for even less maintenance.
- Food & water - Most
people go with chicken layer feed / pellets. You can even make a homemade
chicken feeder / waterer
- Treats
- Vegetables, bread, bugs, chicken scratch (cracked corn, milo, wheat)
Explore the rest of the
site for more details on raising chickens. We suggest these sections:
If you still can't find
what you are looking for, search our chicken forum and/or
post your question for our super friendly community!
| 
