- Jan 18, 2008
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I have a basic outline, and have gone over the faq etc posted here but I'm wondering if anyone else has something I should touch on, other good sites, you name it... here's the basics (it's for the Seattle area so might be a bit different from your area)...
Benefits of chickens
will do your garden clean up for you, turning the soil and fertilizing all without you needing to shovel!
fresh eggs
easy to maintain and relatively cheap
Where to get chicks and food
local feed stores (list ones with rare breeds)
craigslist
backyardchickens.com
predators
dogs
racoons
How to raise chicks to adulthood
pullets (sexed) vs straight run... not getting a rooster!
handle your chicks so you can pick them up later when they're big
can go outside 5-12 weeks old depending on weather
training chickens with treats, come when you call them
housing
flooring
temperature
lights
feeder and waterer for the little chick vs the big ones
medicated food for chicks
housing
lighter weight breeds can fly very high, a yard without a roof won't keep them in
flooring
keep chickens warm dry and keep their water unfrozen during winter
make sure to have a cross breeze to take out ammonia fumes
resources
www.backyardchickens.com
faqs
eggs at 4-6 weeks usually
moult- no your chickens aren't sick!
Benefits of chickens
will do your garden clean up for you, turning the soil and fertilizing all without you needing to shovel!
fresh eggs
easy to maintain and relatively cheap
Where to get chicks and food
local feed stores (list ones with rare breeds)
craigslist
backyardchickens.com
predators
dogs
racoons
How to raise chicks to adulthood
pullets (sexed) vs straight run... not getting a rooster!
handle your chicks so you can pick them up later when they're big
can go outside 5-12 weeks old depending on weather
training chickens with treats, come when you call them
housing
flooring
temperature
lights
feeder and waterer for the little chick vs the big ones
medicated food for chicks
housing
lighter weight breeds can fly very high, a yard without a roof won't keep them in
flooring
keep chickens warm dry and keep their water unfrozen during winter
make sure to have a cross breeze to take out ammonia fumes
resources
www.backyardchickens.com
faqs
eggs at 4-6 weeks usually
moult- no your chickens aren't sick!