I'm a newie! Any tips?

[Frincess1999]

So, my family is going to get chickens! =D I found this awesome website, and we're all new at this stuff. Is there any tips we need to know about while raising chickens that would help us? One thing I really want to know is how to tell if an egg is fertilized and without breaking it open. Will the chickens just sit on it all the time if its alive? Or will we have to shine a light on it as I've seen a couple times to find veins and stuff? Also, can chickens live on eating weeds or do the chickens absolutely need food from a store for them? Thank you for the tips & answers!

 

[efanie]

Welcome I have only had chickens for about 2 months but the bet think I can tell you is ask question and read what other Peaple are asking you never know you might learn something.

 

[sumi]

Have a look at the Learning Centre (top of the page, one over from the BYC logo). there's lots of info there. Also check Frequently Asked Questions, scroll down for chicken related Q's. Enjoy your chickens!

 

[BuffOrpington88]

The way you can tell if an egg is fertile is by candling. You will find lots of information about that on here.

Yes, please get your chickens feed. This is a complete feed that ensured that your flock is getting proper nutrition. They will be much healthier this way. If you forced them to forage for all of their food, then you would most likely not get as many eggs, and they will generally not thrive if forced to fend for themselves. Also, if you choose to do this, you must allow them to free range so they will be able to seek out food. Feed them medicated starter feed, then grower if you wish (you can usually feed starter until 18 weeks) and then layer feed only after they start laying, because the added calcium will damage their kidneys when they are young. Also supplement oystershells. If you allow them to free range or have them in a tractor, however, you will see decreased feed consumption because they are also eating bugs, grass, etc.

In short, please get the chicken feed. It will greatly benefit your flock.

 

[Frincess1999]

@BuffOrpington88 Thanks! What you said helped a lot, and I'll be sure to inform my family! =)

 

[Frincess1999]

@Sumi, Thank you! I'll be sure to check that out!

 

[little boy farm]

a tip for a water for the little chicks, put rocks in it because when my chicks were little they would be constantly in the water-er, and they could slip and drowned. Yes I know it sounds silly but it is true. Also even if your chickens are constantly free-ranging they will still need store food.

 

[Frincess1999]

@little boy farm Thank you! That's really interesting information...

 

[XxPandaxX]

Hiya there ! Welcome to BYC ! the only way to tell if an egg is fertile is to bust it open and check for the "bulls-eye", or in incubation you should see veins by the 4th day. I would say yes. Get feed. Chickens are not cheap when you're getting started, incubating, or adding more to the flock. But they're real sweet, and each one is different. Hens only sit on eggs when they are broody, meaning they want to hatch chicks, but not all the eggs they sit on will be fertile. For the weeds thing, you could give them table scraps with some feed PLUS the weeds, I guess. When everybody is done eating, have a bucket near the sink and have them place their scraps in there. You can feed them to your pullets/hens I'm just getting started , too, so we're in the same boat !

 

[LizzieJ]

chicken feed is important because it contains all the nutrients that your chooks need to stay healthy and to boost their immune system, supplement their diet with kitchen scraps and let them have your weeds etc from the garden. also i give mine a treat every couple of weeks and get them some crickets and mealworms from the pet shop. If your girls are under 15 weeks id reccomend growers pellets once you take them off chick crumb, what they eat after 15 weeks depends on how you plan to use them. growers for meat chickens and layers for eggs. i give mine a mixture because they are a mix of ages. The best thing you can do is make sure you research everything to do with chickens before you get them, i did that and its stood me in good stead. also the people here know what they are talking about and wont steer you wrong! Good luck and welcome to BYC!