Tips for raising chickens

[Lily97]

We are new to raising chickens and I was wondering if there are any tips that could help us or if we should be doing something regularly other than feeding and watering them and cleaning their coop.

Thanks!

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Grit or free ranging
Oyster shell when laying
Treat coop and birds for mites/lice to keep them away every so often
Treat or inspect birds for worms every so often (some vets will do a fecal float for worms for a small fee)
Watch out for scaly leg mites too- scales of feet lift up- treatable
Give them extra protein during yearly big molt
Dust bath - a place for (hole in ground or concrete mixing tub/box) filled with woodstove ashes or DE/sand/dirt/ashes
they will make their own holes for dust baths usually

just some of my thoughts

 

[MsBagawkbagawk]

OMG, that chick in your pic is so adorable I'm going to cry!

What breed is that?

Keep them entertained! Do not give ribbons, they might choke. They really like if you give them a bowl of apples, bananas, oranges (any fruit really), carrots, and milk. When they get bigger apples are good because they roll around. And when they are full grown watermelons and old cabbages cut in half are good.

Be very careful about giving them grass (I do when mine are confined), break it into little bits or chop it so that they don't get impacted crops.

Good Luck!

P.S. Handle them all the time! Chickens want to be your best friend but you have to convince them that you won't hurt them. They always fall for food bribes.

 

[Puddin Fluff]

First off

. Ditto the above. Read lots of BackYardChikens. If you use the search box you will get more info on any topic than you will ever be able to read. If you have a certain breed and do a search for it you will probably find a thread specific to that breed and that comes in handy too.

Most importantly, get your self something cold to drink, sit comfortably, and enjoy "chicken TV".

 

[Lily97]

Thanks everyone for your replys! There are a lot of good points.

MsBagawkbagawk-- They are both Easter Eggers