I am looking for advise. I started raising chickens 2 years ago. I have learned so much from this site and appreciate learning from the lifetime experiences of those who have lived what I am endeavoring. Some of the things I have learned on here would have taken me years to learn by trial and error and has probably saved me more chicken lives than I have taken. I am going to share what I have learned in 2 years and ask you to share what you have learned in how many years you have been raising chickens.
1. Coops and runs vs. Free ranging- Chickens are safer from predators in coops and runs.... sometimes- If you really want them to be safe, there is no substitute for either hardware cloth or electric netting, electric netting not saving them from hawks. That said, at what cost? I am an American and enjoy my freedoms. I appreciate the men and women who have fought to protect those rights. I personally prefer to free range my chickens and let them enjoy freedom at a higher risk. That is my right
2. Chickens don't need heat in the winter. I don't live in the interior of Alaska.
3. Ventilation is airflow. Too much airflow is a draft. Balancing that makes for lessened danger of frostbite in winter.
4. Chickens eat just about anything.
5. Chicks don't necessarily need 95 degrees. Observation will tell you if they are hot or cold.
6. Chickens are food. It isn't hard to kill a chicken, pluck it, clean it, and cook it. Plus, it tastes much better than store bought.
7. Incubation is not difficult. Keep your hands off the incubator and let it do its job. The ones that hatch, pass Darwins test.
8. BOSS stands for Black Oil Sunflower seeds.
9. Diatomaceous Earth (Food Grade) is good for livestock. It is dry and helps with mites. Kills fleas too.
10. It's your turn.....
1. Coops and runs vs. Free ranging- Chickens are safer from predators in coops and runs.... sometimes- If you really want them to be safe, there is no substitute for either hardware cloth or electric netting, electric netting not saving them from hawks. That said, at what cost? I am an American and enjoy my freedoms. I appreciate the men and women who have fought to protect those rights. I personally prefer to free range my chickens and let them enjoy freedom at a higher risk. That is my right
2. Chickens don't need heat in the winter. I don't live in the interior of Alaska.
3. Ventilation is airflow. Too much airflow is a draft. Balancing that makes for lessened danger of frostbite in winter.
4. Chickens eat just about anything.
5. Chicks don't necessarily need 95 degrees. Observation will tell you if they are hot or cold.
6. Chickens are food. It isn't hard to kill a chicken, pluck it, clean it, and cook it. Plus, it tastes much better than store bought.
7. Incubation is not difficult. Keep your hands off the incubator and let it do its job. The ones that hatch, pass Darwins test.
8. BOSS stands for Black Oil Sunflower seeds.
9. Diatomaceous Earth (Food Grade) is good for livestock. It is dry and helps with mites. Kills fleas too.
10. It's your turn.....