Keeping Chickens
Keeping chickens is great! Chickens can make great pets, particularly if raised by you from a chick (as you can get them used to being held etc.) Chickens can live for around 10-15 years. Commercially, laying hens are usually kept for about 2 years and then replaced. In fact they can lay for much longer than that (quite often 5 or 6 years and more). As they get older egg production does usually tend to slow down (and eventually stop), but it is not unheard of for an elderly chicken to give the occasional egg or two a week for the whole of its life. As far as pets go chickens are relatively easy to keep.
The basics of raising chicks
Raising Chicks in a Brooder
As chicks they need to be kept in a brooder (clean and dry heat controlled environment - this could be as simple as a container with a heat lamp) for their first few weeks. They have to be kept warm and they need food and a constant supply of fresh water. Paper towels are quite good as a liner for the first few days (newspaper is too slippery for them). Pine shavings usually works quite well as a bedding, some people use straw which is also fine, but more prone to dampness. By 5-8 weeks old they should have developed their adult feathers and a heat controlled environment will not be as much of an issue (although they still will not want to be put out in freezing conditions!). The basics of raising chickens
Raising Chickens in your backyard
Fully grown chickens need a comfortable place to live. Chicken coops range from basic adaptations of an existing dog kennel or shed to full-blown bespoke poultry palaces. It does not really matter to the chickens (luckily they aren't able to see what other chickens have!). As long as it is comfortable, dry, free from drafts (but still with ventilation) and secured from predators (such as the fox, skunk, mink etc.) they will be happy. It is usual to allow 1 nesting box for every 3-5 chickens (although you may find that the chickens have different ideas, and decide to cram themselves into the same one!). They also like to 'roost' at night so a roosting pole is a standard feature. In the day time they will need to be able to scratch about a bit - a secure run is fine for that (you can let them loose in your garden if you have secured it from predators - and don't mind them eating all your flowers / veg!). It is best to only let them 'free range' when you are with them.If you are a bit handy and fancy having a go at building your own chicken coop then you may be interested in these chicken coop a frame which are for a traditional poultry ark and run.
More Information on Keeping Chickens
Additional Resource
So, there you have it, that is 'keeping chickens' in a nutshell - I will try to expand more on various aspects as time goes by. I hope you have enjoyed this squidoo lens and will consider keeping chickens yourself someday! More Chicken Keeping information and video clips can be found at http://www.self-sufficient-life.com/Keeping_ChickensSubscribe to my free online keeping chickens newsletter at
www.keepingchickensnewsletter.com
Keeping Chickens In Your Back Yard
Fetching RSS feed... please stand by
