Guide to Keeping Chickens Warm

It is essential to keep chickens warm especially in cold weather. The provided shelter therefore needs to be solid and capable of staying dry and draft-free. The ground should be covered with a sizeable layer of shavings or straw to ensure that it is insulated. Any chicken wire or open windows should have a covering of heavy and clear plastic or Plexiglas for preventing drafts, but equally allowing the entry of light.

Maintaining the Chickens’ Warmth

The roost is essential for chickens to perch in and this should be raised from the ground and not made of plastic or metal, but wooden to keep their feet warm. In the case of adverse weather conditions such as those experienced in winter, the chickens should have a continuous supply of unfrozen water. A heater should preferably be immersed inside the water container or under it to ensure that the temperature is maintained above freezing point. An appropriate commercial broiler/layer feed should additionally provide the chickens with the required energy for maintaining the warmth of their bodies.

Consider the Chicken’s Comb

When the cold weather condition is at its most extreme, they huddle together then proceed to fluff their feathers out before tucking their heads beneath their wings. This is generally adequate even when the temperature in their coop is less than freezing. The rooster may however be disadvantaged in this case especially if its comb is large. Combs are susceptible to frostbite and the rooster has a likelihood of losing his and although this does not typically lead to future problems, it can be a painful ordeal. The affected area is also unsightly because there is a fraction of a comb that remains and this usually has a black outline. The most ideal way of handling this is only keeping roosters selected from breeds whose combs lie flat to their heads.

Regulate the Temperature

Putting chickens in a room that is heated can be quite hazardous due to the considerable contrast between the outside and inside temperatures. An additional adverse effect concerns bacteria which are normally kept controlled as a result of the cold. These bacteria are capable of flourishing in the moistened heat and can cause complications in the lungs of chickens. If the cold is extreme, a high temperature lamp may be improvised to ensure that the coop’s ambient temperature is nearer to freezing, but the coop should not be warmed up. Although there is a chicken breed that is specifically bred to lay in winter, it is common for most hens to stop or decrease their egg production during the winter season. In this kind of weather, the eggs have to be picked more frequently otherwise they may freeze and break.

Take Special Care with Chicks

Brooding chicks is however an exception to this because they require protection from every form of draft and the surrounding barrier should be solid. The heat lamp should be directly over the chicks and their behavior is enough to depict whether they are either too cold or too warm. When it is too cold, the chicks crowd together under the lamp, but when it is too warm they distance themselves from it. When the warmth is just appropriate, the chicks become randomly positioned in the brooder. It is imperative to have air-tight facilities when breeding baby chicks to ensure that heat is adequately maintained.

Insulating the Coop

Although free ranging of chickens is more beneficial than controlled housing, it generally results in their exposure to adverse weather conditions, which results in lower egg production. Insulating the ceiling and walls of the coop has the additional benefit of maintaining moderate temperatures in areas that experience extreme heat and cold weather conditions. In an instance where insulation proves to be too expensive, heavy cardboard can be nailed to the inside of the coop’s ceiling and walls. This provides additional warmth while equally protecting the chickens from drafts. Ample ventilation should be provided for the chickens to ensure their health is good and it also lowers the coop’s humidity. It is preferable for the coop to have an adjustable window that provides fresh air although care should be exercised to make certain that the coop does not get excessively drafty.

It is good to note that due to the high resilience of mature chickens, they are capable of favorably withstanding low temperatures. Chickens are actually more susceptible to extreme hot conditions than to cold, as long as there is a provision of basic shelter.

Essentials for Keeping Backyard Chickens

The idea of waking up every morning to freshly laid eggs appeals to many people. This is mainly because of the convenience that comes with it. For instance, one does not have to travel to the store to buy eggs. Additionally, building a chicken coop in the backyard and rearing one’s own chickens is an interesting activity for many people. Many people are joining the increasing families all over the country who are keeping backyard chickens. As popular as the craze is becoming though, there are a few things to be considered in rearing backyard chicken:

The Pen

Chicken need a well ventilated and well drained pen. A section of the pen needs to be covered so your chickens have a dry area to use when they are laying or roosting. This area is also for the chickens to stay dry during the rainy season.

The birds also need clean and cool water in the pen during summer.

The vent can be opened during summer and kept closed during the winter season. Furthermore, an electric fan can be used during summer especially if the shade or ventilation is not good enough. Remember that too much heat kills chicken very easily. So it is advisable to locate the chicken pen under a tree or a place with good shade.

Building the Pen

When building the shed, make sure it can allow you to stand straight up in it. Crouching every time is not fun.
Nesting boxes must be built above the ground and should be very dark for the birds to lay eggs in. The boxes also need fresh straw because when the beddings are not changed, the birds tend to defecate in them.
The perches should be wide because the chicken will use a lot of energy to maintain balance if the perch is too thin. Perches ideally provide your chickens with a place to relax, so ensure they are wide enough to facilitate this. Thin perches also cramp the bird’s claws instead of spreading them out.
It is a great idea to construct a concrete floor because it:

* Keeps foxes out from digging their way in.
* Offers a hard surface that cannot be excavated.
* Drains the pen very well.

Number of Chickens

The number of chickens to be kept largely depends on the person and the available space. If you wish to raise a small number of chickens in a small space and don’t require too many eggs, than a small shed will do just fine. On the other hand, if you need a larger egg supply and more chickens, then a larger shed with a run attached to it should be constructed. This said though, it is important to check on the area regulations to make sure that there is no limit in the number of chicken that you can keep.

Food and Feeders

Pallets are good for chickens but are much better when mixed with scraps and grains. Avoid feeding scraps to your chickens that they won’t eat, because vermin will be attracted by the leftovers.

When it comes to the appropriate type of feeders, then grandpa feeders are the most appropriate for keeping away rats and other rodents from the chickens’ food. However, this type of feeder is only good if you are keeping a few chickens and there is no pecking order. Round feeders are more appropriate for situations where there is pecking order because the weaker birds can eat from the other part of the feeders circle instead of fighting with the dominant birds. The feeders should be kept low enough so that the birds can reach it easily. Provide the chickens with a lot of clean and cool water.

Protection from Foxes

Foxes are the biggest threat to keeping chickens. Never leave the chickens outside unattended, even during day time since foxes tend to attack more during day time. In addition, foxes can squeeze through a tiny hole and can attack through a very fine wire mesh. To prevent this from happening, moveable pens that move over the ground can be bought. Beware that the fox can still dig under the movable pen. Never forget to lock up the chickens at night.

Conclusion

Paint the perches with water and lime and spray soapy Neem or Neem oil water on the perch every month. This helps to keep away mites.
Get specific powder for bird lice and spray it on the birds’ wings and around the vent regularly.
The birds’ legs should be scrubbed using warm water and a tooth brush to remove scales which become enlarged and can really bother the chickens.
If a chicken dies mysteriously (not because of old age or heat) it must be taken to the vet for inspection. Otherwise the disease may spread to the other birds.
Clip one wing of the birds which roam outside to prevent them from flying.

Choosing Backyard Chicken Breeds

Successful backyard chicken breeding is largely dependent upon the breed you choose to raise at home. Some breeds just aren’t cut out for backyard breeding, which is why you need to do your homework before choosing what breed.

Generally chicken are very interesting creatures and will require attention and love, but not all breeds were created equal. Some are better suited to backyard breeding than others.

Making the right chicken breed decision is easy once you determine:

What you want backyard chickens for, e.g. eggs, meat, pets, etc;
What qualities you are looking for in a chicken;
How much you want to spend on the chickens; and
How much time you want to spend maintaining and caring for the birds.

We’ll now look at each of those factors.

Purpose of Rearing Chickens

Identifying the main reason why one should raise chickens in the backyard must be the first consideration for anyone who is planning to raise chickens in the backyard. The reasons why one would want to breed chickens differ.

Chickens can be bred:

For their eggs;
For meat;
For farming purposes – chicken droppings are ideal for the soil and make perfect manure and fertilizers; or
To help eradicate pests, weeds and insects.

The Best Backyard Chicken Breeds

Once you know why you want to breed backyard chickens, you can find the breeds most suited to the purpose.

One of the most popular chicken breeds is the Rhode Island Red. This breed of chicken has rusty feathers, which is typical of most backyard chicken breeds. This breed is believed to have originated from the New England region of the United States. The Rhode Island Red is appealing as a backyard chicken breed because it has the ability to readily lay legs and provide good quality chicken meat. Add to this the fact that it is a robust breed, capable producing healthy brown eggs even when subjected to dietary restriction and poor housing, and it’s little wonder the Rhode Island Red is a popular backyard chicken breed.

A Rhode Island Red cock usually weighs 7 – 9 pounds, a hen will weigh 6 – 7 pounds and pullets typically weigh 5 – 6 pounds.

Another popular breed is the Leghorn, which is suitable for individuals who want to keep chicken for egg laying. Leghorns were originally from Italy, but right now, the breed is so widespread in different parts of the world. This breed is renowned for laying so many eggs and this is because it is a specialized chicken breed. One feature that distinguishes this breed from the others is the fact that it is very erratic and noisy.

Another thing one needs to know about the Leghorn is that it may suffer from frostbite, if bred in very cold conditions.

Among other ideal chicken breeds that one can comfortably rear in the backyard is the Jersey Giant. This particular chicken breed can weigh over 13 pounds, making it an ideal choice for backyard chicken breeders looking for a good meat producing chicken. The Jersey Giant originated from New Jersey in the United States. This breed is very healthy and can adapt well if it’s being raised in the backyard. It has a unique color made up of a combination of black and white.

The Plymouth Rock is also one of the best and popular chicken breeds that one can breed in the backyard. The breed was developed in the 19th century in the New England region of the US, where it was a very popular homestead breed and it continues to be popular among backyard breeds of chicken. The Plymouth Rock breed comes in different colors but the most common ones are the white, bur, barred and silver penciled breeds. This is quite a friendly bird and it has a nice calm nature, which makes it simply a perfect breed to rear in the backyard since one is assured that it will not make noise or disturb the neighbors.

Weight of Chicken

It is important to note that most backyard chicken breeds have dual abilities of both laying eggs and meat – and this is why the Plymouth is so popular. When one is selecting a chicken breed to be kept in the backyard, it is necessary to consider the weight of the breed since breeds with more mass produce more meat and can lay bigger and healthier eggs. One has to consider the ability of the breed to adapt to homestead conditions. Apart from the above breeds, other suitable chicken breeds to rear in the backyard include Ameracaunas, New Hampshire Reds and Delewares.

Reasons for Keeping Chickens at Home

Reasons for Keeping Chicken

One does not need to have acres of land to be able to keep chickens at home. As a matter of fact, keeping chickens is one easy way of producing meat and eggs. One major reason you may decide to keep chickens at home is because they are able to produce something that is edible, which is not the case with other household pets like dogs, cats and hamsters. It pays off to raise chickens in the end.

One is able to get fresh eggs and poultry meat, which is unlike what is sold in supermarkets. Since many people are considering healthy living and organic foods, raising chicken saves up on the money that would otherwise have been used to buy organic poultry meat. Compared to keeping a dog or a cat, keeping chickens is very cheap. They do not require grooming, bathing or being taken for walks. Maintaining chickens is also cheap. And to top it all off, they provide compost that will in turn be used in the garden since it is rich in nitrogen.

Shelter for the Chickens

All that is required to keep chickens healthy and safe is a coop for the chicken to stay in. The coop should be built in such a manner as to shield the chicken from cold or hot weather and to protect them from predators like cats, raccoons, hawks, snakes and dogs.

It is important to buy the appropriate food for the chicken breed. For chicken laying eggs, there is layer feeds while starter feed is for those chicken that are young. The feeder that is bought needs to be one that stands or hangs off the ground in such a way that the chickens are not able to contaminate the food. Food must be changed on a daily basis to prevent it from being contaminated and causing the chickens to become unhealthy.

Food and Water

Chickens get dehydrated fast and it is therefore important to ensure that the waterer always has water every day and that it stands or hangs in the same way as the feeder. One needs to throw scratch as a treat for the chickens. Scratch is composed of grains such as rye, wheat and corn, which the chickens will readily peck on. Digestion can be aided using grit. Since chicken do not have teeth that they can chew food with, one should provide them with poultry grit placed in containers or alternatively added to what they feed on. These small rocks aid in breaking down food just before it gets into the stomach.

The Bed Covering

The bed should be as comfortable as possible for the chickens. One of the best bed covering is shavings from the pinewood, which are known to have a maximum absorbency for the chicken droppings. One can find other chicken bedding options but no matter the choice made, the bedding should be soft enough to harbor eggs.

The chickens should be allowed to get as dirty as they want. Dust baths are very important in the life of a chicken since they prevent mites and lice from nesting in the chicken feathers. Having a dirt patch that is dry is important for the chicken house, but if you do not have one, you need to make dusting powder and place it in a six-inch deep box.

Chickens are robust creatures. If they are taken care of properly they will grow up healthy and fruitful (in case of hens). You should therefore ensure that the house is kept clean, the chickens are given the freedom to roam and are provided with a consistent healthy diet. Be sure as well to look out for any signs of illness in your chickens. Follow these simple steps and your chickens will require very little medical attention.

5 Steps to Build a Backyard Chicken Coop

Chicken are quite easy to rear since they do not require a lot of space in order for them to grow healthy. This makes it easier for chicken to be reared in an individual’s own backyard as long as they have the right materials to do so. The most important thing that a prospective chicken owner needs is the chicken coop. When it comes to building a backyard chicken coop, the steps to be followed are quite simple and many people can follow them with minimal drama. There are five simple steps that can be followed to build a chicken coop and they are discussed below.

Step One: Have a Plan At Hand

For one to build a chicken coop with minimal setbacks, it is imperative to plan in advance. The factors that need to be considered include:

The number of chickens that will be accommodated in the coop.
The size of the chickens.
The number of nests to be provided to the chickens.
The number of windows.
The ease of access of entry and exit from the coop.

All these considerations are necessary and need to be addressed prior to building a chicken coop in the backyard. This is because too often people underestimate the size of the space required for chickens to grow healthy.

Step Two: Decide on the Terrain

After all the considerations are met, the next step is deciding on the terrain where the chicken coop will be situated. This is a very important decision to make since it is recommended that you select an area spacious enough to accommodate the coop and leave enough space for the chickens to move around freely. It is advisable to build a chicken coop that has a restricted access to it and the perimeter. Ensure that the area that is selected receives direct sunlight and is at a distance away from thick bushes and weeds since they are potential hiding places for rodents, snakes and other predators.

Step Three: Sketch the Design of the Coop on Paper

While trying to construct a chicken coop in the backyard, do not follow the picture of the chicken coop you have in your mind. This usually leads to a disaster. Ensure that the outline of the design is sketched on paper prior to making any attempts to build the coop. It is not a must for one to be an artist for them to do this. All you need to do is draw your coop from all angles – including the roof’s top view, the external views from all angles, and of course, the interior. If this is the first attempt at building a chicken coop at the backyard, avoid building an architectural masterpiece and keep the construction as simple as possible. In addition to simplicity, make sure that the chicken coop is spacious enough.

Step Four: Gather All the Required Materials

Prior to building a chicken coop in the backyard, attempt to gather all the necessary materials that are needed to build the coop to save time. Some of the materials that are needed include:

Cider blocks made of concrete.
Wood, fence wire or chicken wire.
Nails, insulation strips, screws, hammer and a saw.

These are some of the most commonly used materials, but the materials required will depend on the design and the type of chicken coop that is needed.

Step Five: Build It

After acquiring the required materials, deciding on the terrain, and deciding on the design of your chicken coop, the last step is to build the chicken coop in the backyard. All you need to do is follow all the conditions that may have been identified while following steps one to four.
Bear in mind that plenty of ventilation should be provided through placement of screened windows. Ensure that the chicken wire is buried alongside the borders of the chicken coop to a depth of up to 1 foot to keep away predators from burrowing in. In addition, ensure that the coop is properly insulated especially if the area in which the coop is situated is in temperate regions.
By following the above steps, the process of building a chicken coop in the backyard is made easy.

Raising Backyard Chickens Successfully

More and more people all over the world have started raising backyard chickens for home use or commercial purposes. With many people developing an interest in self-sufficiency, the option of raising chickens for egg laying is most attractive. Most people are interested in finding ways to be more self-sufficient.

Although there is definite interest in the self-sufficiency benefits keeping chickens affords, so many just aren’t sure if keeping chicken is worth their efforts. To those yet to be convinced, one only needs to look at all the benefits raising chickens provides.

For instance, in terms of breakfast, there is nothing as good as fresh eggs from your own backyard. At least the source of the eggs is certain. In addition, backyard eggs have rich, big and orangey yolks, which have a nice flavor unlike the other eggs bought from stores that have pale yellowish yolk.

But once you have a genuine interest in raising chicken…
…you need to familiarize yourself on poultry requirements to maintain the new flock. Some people just jump into rearing chicken without giving it much thought, and then once they start with raising their chickens, find it’s too hard for them because they have no idea.

It is best to understand the requirements needed in order to properly raise chickens. For individuals to successfully keep backyard chicken, it is important for them to have proper equipment and housing for the birds. With proper tips on how to raise backyard chicken, this venture will be successful and enjoyable.

Prepare for your chickens’ arrival

The chicken needs plenty of care and attention, so it is important to make necessary arrangements before the birds arrive. Make sure the new home or the brooder is ready, even if it is an elaborate or cardboard box set up.

It is necessary to have enough clean bedding because chicks make the place untidy by pooping a lot. It is also important to have a source of heat, chick waterers and chick feeders. The bedding can either be straw or wood shavings, which should be 2 inches thick. Most people prefer wood shavings since the chicks always start scratching as soon as they are on the ground. The bedding should be dry and clean as much as possible and that means the brooder must be cleaned regularly.

Take care with the feeding

There are special waterers and feeders that are worth investing in. However, a waterer can be made from canning a plate and jar. It is important to keep in mind that the water and feed should be kept free of any contamination. The chicks should be provided with enough food as soon as they are placed into the brooder. During the first days, the owner may have to dip the chick’s beak into the water as a way of teaching them where and how to reach for the water. Afterwards the chicks will be able to do it on their own.

When a new flock of chicken is brought home, the first thing the birds do is try to find something to eat. The type of chicken feed to be purchased depends on the age or stage of the birds. There are so many types of chicken feed available in the stores, so the owner should find the one that is right for the chicken. It is also important to have storage containers to keep poultry supplies so that other animals can’t get to it. This is because as the chicken feed, they tend to scratch causing food to spill and spread which inevitably attracts other pets. Therefore, find containers that can be used to keep food supplies.

Make sure your chickens are warm

The feeder should always be kept full and close to the source of heat. In terms of heat, backyard chicks require a temperature of about 90 degrees Fahrenheit in their initial weeks. However, as the chicks become stronger and bigger, the temperature can be reduced by 5 degrees every week.

In most cases, heat lamps are always used. The heat lamp should be suspended about 24 inches from the floor. The heat should be from a 250-watt light bulb, although there are other people who use 100-watt bulb. Whatever the case, the lamp is usually suspended at the centre of the chick’s brooder so that the chicks can get away from the heat easily if there is need to. The coolest section of the brooder must not be less than 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

By carefully preparing for your chickens’ arrival before you bring them home, you’re doing all those necessary things you need to in order to maximize the beneficial experience that raising chickens can provide.

Information on Keeping Pet Chickens

Rearing animals as pets can be a real rewarding experience, but people don’t seem to realize just how satisfying keeping pet chickens can be. Contrary to what many think, chickens are a wonderful choice of bird to keep at home. They are simple to rear and the layer varieties have the added advantage of producing eggs.

And speaking of eggs, a healthy chicken is able to produce about six eggs a week meaning that by the end of one month, it is possible to have up to 24 eggs.

The advantages of chicken ownership don’t end there though. Chicken are good family pets and the more friendly varieties can offer companionship for children as well as the entire family.

In this article, we’ll focus on a few key things you should think about when it comes to chicken ownership.

Where your chickens will live

Chicken basically require a dry place where they can rest as well as a couple of nesting boxes for laying eggs. The boxes are optional because most chicken are capable of laying their eggs anywhere they see fit, which is evidence of their self sufficient nature.

If one decides to rear pet chicken it should be noted that there should be at least a garden where they are able to roam and scratch for food. They can be left on their own, as long as the chicken coop is sufficiently secure from predators such as raccoons, cats and dogs. It is important for pet owners to find out from local authorities about the regulations in place concerning the rearing of chickens.

The amount of money put into building a chicken coop can be minimized by doing it yourself. There are plenty of do-it-yourself plans and guides that that can be accessed over the internet. These guides offer not only the building instructions but also a list of building materials and even alternative components.

There are several readymade coops that can be bought at pet supply stores as well as hardware stores. This option would be convenient, though at times it may not cater for specific settings. If one intends to keep plenty of chickens, it is advisable to have a custom-built chicken run. Regardless of the chicken coop option you choose, you must insure the coop is very durable for the health and wellbeing of your chickens. Look after your pets and they will have a decent life expectancy. Ensure that there is a convenient access passage leading to the nesting area, keep the coop clean, warm and dry and your pets will be very happy.

What chickens eat

Their main diet consists mostly of layers pellets, which you can get from your local pet shop. Chickens also like to be treated to some corn occasionally.

Generally, chickens aren’t fussy eaters and they can easily obtain their essential dietary nutrients from within your garden at home. In the garden, they have access to a number of organic delicacies including worms, ants, snails, grass as well as a host of other insects.

It has been noted that the more organic food that chickens eat, the richer their egg yolks are. Generally speaking, just by looking at an egg’s yolk color, one can easily determine if the producing chicken was either a battery chicken or a free range one. The rich orange yolks are those of the free range varieties while the pale colored eggs belong to the battery range of poultry.

How chickens help the environment

For those who have gardens, chicken have the advantage of consuming garden pests that attack crops. This does away with the need for toxic chemical pesticides, which would otherwise have to be used on plants. Poultry animals also eat vegetable and food scraps, thereby reducing the amount of garbage being disposed of. Their food scraps and droppings are not just waste but can be used to make compost manure for garden plants.

The behavior of chickens

Chicken are very interesting to observe because they have fascinating habits including dust bathing, where they dig a shallow pit in the soil and thereafter proceed to wriggle in it which gets the soil in their feathers. This activity is said to be done by the birds in order to do away with mites.
When they are not searching for food, chickens love to sunbathe while standing with their wings stretched out.

And of course, egg laying is a big part of a chicken’s life. Typically, chickens can actively lay eggs for about 4 to 5 years. After this time, egg laying will either decline or cease altogether.

A final word about chickens

Chicken are actually much underrated as household pets, although they have many advantages over conventional pets. In some cases, it has been noted that chickens are easier to maintain than some dog varieties. Definitely a household pet worthy of serious consideration!

Understanding How to Keep Chickens

Chicken are friendly and fun animals that are considerably easier and cheaper to raise in comparison to the usual household pets such as dogs and cats. The primary thing to do when planning how to keep chickens is to determine the real reason why you want to get into chicken ownership. It is imperative to keep in mind that having passion in keeping chickens is central to yielding good outcomes. Depending on where you want to keep your chickens, the local regulations and laws should be checked to verify the legality of keeping chickens in the desired area.

Choose a breed based upon purpose

Before buying the chicken, a research should be carried out to establish the total number and breed of chickens that will be appropriate to keep. In regard to breeds, there is an excess of 400 chicken varieties presently available. When making a choice of the chicken breed, it is essential to consider:

Breed temperaments;

Climate;

Level of egg production; and

Whether your chickens will have dual purpose, i.e. for meat and eggs or just one purpose, i.e. meat alone or eggs alone.

Multiple breeds may be combined into a single flock since they get along just fine.

Deciding on a management method

Thought about how you will house your chickens? Management method refers to how you will house your birds. The preferred management method should be determined well in advance especially in consideration of the space limitations.

A coop may be used for confining the birds or they may equally be let loose to roam the fields. Strong materials should be used for building the chicken coop to ensure they have an appropriate place for spending the night, laying eggs and keeping out of bad weather.

A run with a fence outside the coop is recommended when confining chicken to give them access to sunshine and fresh air. Chicken are bound to scratch and eat in garden plants and flowers hence the need to take care when the birds are let free to roam. Chicken should be given room for roaming and if the spot is up or off from the ground, the chicken will usually not go far from this spot.

Prepare the food for your chickens before you bring them home

The chicken food should be purchased well before their arrival. Some favorable sources for chicken food include the internet as well as the supply stores. For the larger breeds, pellet poultry feed is recommended, while crumble is recommended for the Bantam breeds. The food should be kept in covered feeders and regularly replaced since it can go stale. Chickens should never be permitted to consume damp feed. Some additional ideal food for chicken includes table scraps, cracked or fresh corn, apples, tomatoes or any baked food. Garlic or onions should not be given to chickens since these can potentially reduce the flavor in eggs.

Where to buy your chickens

When it comes to finding chickens for purchase, a few options are available to you. You can ask around at food supply stores, health feed stores and farmers markets. You can also find chickens to buy from the classifieds livestock section or purchased online. Other options include using the 4H Clubs, county fair or buying fertile eggs, incubating and hatching them individually.

Keeping the coop clean and comfortable

Essential to the health and wellbeing of your birds is the sound maintenance of the chicken coop.

Chemicals including antifreeze and pesticides should not be kept within the birds’ reach and food that remains uneaten should be cleaned to keep the coop from getting on the nose.

Everything should be kept clean. The frequency of washing the coop is highly dependent on the number of chicken being reared and the amount of space. When chicken are laying eggs, the nest boxes should be thoroughly cleaned especially if an egg has cracked. When the surroundings are kept clean, this equally keeps the neighbors from complaining, more so because of the foul smell that emanates from the mixture of waste, water and feeds after a considerable period.

The chicken should be keenly observed and the water and feed should be checked every day. Observing them regularly ensures that changes in habits and behavior are easily noticed in time to find ways of improving their habitat. Besides observing the drinking and eating habits of the chickens, it is imperative to ensure that the water and food are cool, clean and fresh. It is also vital to be very particular concerning any signs of ailments.

Things to look out for when it comes to the health of your chickens

Some of the possible symptoms that should be looked for as an indication of illnesses, disease or injury include:

Coughing

Wheezing

Warts/scabs

Labored breathing

Swollen joints

Reduction in egg production

Loss of feathers

Thinner eggshells

Fever

Open wounds or abscesses

Paralysis

Neck or head twisting

Nose or mouth discharge

Diarrhea

Blood in stools

Failure to eat or drink

Retarded growth

Weight loss

Lack of coordination

Enlarged abdomen

By taking into careful consideration and acting upon all the points outlined in this article, you’ll be well on your way to a very satisfying, chicken ownership experience. Enjoy!

Choosing the Right Chickens to Keep

Keeping chickens can be a good business venture and should therefore be done with care so that one does not run at a loss. In deciding what chickens to keep, you really need to consider what you want the chickens for. You may wish to keep the chickens for:

Meat;

Eggs;

Sale;

Show; or

Pets.

Once you know why you want chickens in the first place, you need to understand that some breeds of chicken are easier to keep cooped up in the backyard than others. Some chicken make good pets for young children, are able to tolerate humans handling them and can cope well in a coop. On the other hand, most chickens known to be high egg producers do not make ideal for rearing in the backyard.

Breeds ideal for egg production

For the light brown or dark brown colored eggs, the Rhode Island would make an ideal chicken to keep. The Bantam, also known as the Barnevelder chicken, is considered a high egg producer with it laying about 180-200 eggs each year. The people who prefer the white eggs with a light tinge on them should opt for Dorkings as the chicken to keep. One thing one ought to take note of is that Dorklings can only produce eggs which are medium sized.

On the other hand, if one is seeking the exotic eggs with a dark chocolate brown shell, then the person should get the producer known as the Maran.

Breeds ideal for keeping as pets

The Barnevelder is not only a good egg producer but it also makes a good pet chicken. On the hobby farms, it is considered as a prized bird because it is able to produce good looking yellow chicks that take about weeks without their chick look changing. It is amazing how such beautiful chicks are able to grow large and also strong enough for babies to handle them as pets. They should be handled properly so as to keep them in good shape.

Another chicken which is an ideal pet due to its friendly nature is the Anacona, an Italian chicken breed which is lighter, rounder and not as aggressive as many other chickens. Another chicken breed that has been branded specifically as well a mannered pet is the Australian Austrolope. For years, this particular breed of chicken has been well regarded as a popular backyard pet.

But when it comes to keeping chickens in the backyard, not all breeds are created equal. One should avoid the Old English Game breed of Hens, originally referred to as cock fighters since they are naturally aggressive.

Breeds ideal for eating

If a chicken farmer is keeping chicken for the purposes of eating them, then the Sussex is the most ideal breed, mainly because it is a heavy bird that therefore provides a good amount of breast meat. Also suitable for eating is the Wyandotte chicken is a dual purpose bird making it a favorite for many people. This breed will lay brown eggs and when it comes to its value as a chicken breed suitable for eating, it is known to have very juicy meat.

Durable breeds for colder climates

If you desire to keep chickens, then it is wise take into consideration the classification of the breed. In other words, is it a hardy breed or not. A hardy breed is the type of breed which is able to withstand cold weather. If this is an important requirement, then the best breed to go for is the Rhode Island Red which is a more durable type of breed. Another breed which is classified amongst the most durable and hardy birds in existence is the Dorking. This is mainly because it is able to live in a cold coop and at the same time be able to bear with being penned in a dark space that has a roof covering. They are broody and are ideal setters.

Breeds suitable for showing

The best chicken to show off at an exhibition is the Bantam type of chicken. The miniature Bantam breeds are a show stopper for many people at exhibitions, especially in the UK and Canada. One other breed of chicken trendy for exhibitions is either the white or the black Orpingtons, originally from Australia.

There is a massive passion to show off the current game chickens such as the renowned Old English cock fighter. For show, owners will often groom them in a manner that is suited for fighting. As such owners will cull the comb of the cock.

And finally…

It is good to identify the chicken breed you want simply because there are some which are cross breeds and as a result may have some behaviors which may not be impressive to the owner. At the same time, there are breeds which are not able to resists diseases effectively and hence require more attention than others. It is of essence to know the best qualities to look for in chicken breeds before you start keeping chickens. Chicken have a maximum life span of approximately fifteen years meaning they can offer a relatively long period of companionship.

Keeping Chicken Requirements

Looking for a pet that’s relatively easy to keep in your backyard? If so, look no further than backyard chickens! Believe it or not, keeping chicken is an easy task and can be done in one’s backyard even if you live in suburbia or inner urban areas. This is due to the fact that chicken can be reared in a small space and the food is readily available from many places. The effort that you need to put in when rearing chickens is relatively less in comparison to other animals.

This said though, there are some things that one has to bear in mind when keeping chickens. As a prospective chicken owner, you need to consider what is involved in preparing the chicken house, purchasing your chickens and getting them all settled in at your house!

Preparing the chicken house

The first thing that you will need is the chicken house that will shelter the chickens from wind and rain, in addition to providing a safe haven to sleep at night. The house does not need to be huge or elaborate, however a fancy chicken house can highlight the design of the garden.

The house should be designed in such a way that during the day, the chickens can access the dirt pen. The fence should be high enough to heights of six feet and also deep enough to the tune of eight inches deep, so as to keep away predators that prey on chicken. The entire run should be covered by use of hawk netting, which prevents raptors from carrying away chickens, in addition to keeping climbing predators, like the raccoon, out of the chicken house.

For the chicken to be happy, they need extensive space which prevents them from pecking each other. Some breeds of chickens normally tend to peck each other and with the availability of enough moving space, pecking can be avoided. With limited space, chickens can get quite aggressive and peck each other to death. The amount of space the chickens need is dependent on the breed and size of the chicken. As a general rule, ensure that there is a minimum of three square feet per chicken.

During winter, keep the chicken indoors as the cold does them no good. Keep the chicken busy by tying cabbages high on strings that they can jump up and down to eat.

The chicken house should have a water dispense, and you’ll find these at any good feed store for a relatively cheap price. Your chicken house will also need a trough, where you will place the chicken feed. Also essential to all chicken houses are roosts, where chicken will perch, in addition to their chicken nestling boxes. These boxes can be made of plastic crates, homemade wooden crates or even metal boxes that are available in most dealer shops for poultry supplies.

Purchasing your chickens

Once you’ve set up your chicken house, it’s time to get the chickens that will soon call it home. They can be bought from hatcheries that sell chicks and eggs. If there are no hatcheries in your local areas, you can simply order online and have you purchase delivered to your doorstep. A good hatchery will go the extra mile by providing an individual with guidelines that need to be followed to ensure proper care of the chickens. The biggest challenge in purchasing young chicks is that there is a high probability of finding a rooster among the hens. This is due to the fact that it is difficult to differentiate between a rooster and a hen when they are young until they get to be 12 weeks in age.

If you wish to buy an older chicken that is bigger than a chick but not yet at the maturity to lay eggs, pullets are the way to go. It is advisable to buy pullets on an individual basis, and you can get them from farms or 4-H fairs where the chickens are sold when they are at a tender age. Chicken can also be purchased from agricultural fairs in addition to poultry shows where the prices range from $5 up to $25, depending on the breed of chicken.

Making your chicken feel at home

After bringing the chicken home, you need to ensure that they settle in comfortably. This can be achieved by placing them into the chicken house and allowing them to roost for a number of days. Do not let them stray until they are conversant with the neighborhood.

In making your chicken feel at home, you need to consider food and water as well. Chicken require fresh and clean drinking water, in addition to nutritious chicken feeds. They enjoy leftovers, garden weeds and bugs which they pick out of the vegetables.

And finally, you must ensure that the chicken house is kept clean by removing out all the shavings and manure in the house. This is ideal for your garden compost and will help you to maintain a good garden.