The Right Tractor

If you are interested in raising chickens on your property so you have farm-fresh eggs available to you, you are likely wondering what the process entails. Raising chickens is a job that requires diligent actions to ensure your brood remains happy and healthy. Here are some tips to get you started.

Know The Rules Of Your Area First

Before you acquire chicks or chickens, you need to know if you are allowed to keep them in the area where you live. Contact your local town office to inquire about chicken keeping so you know what is expected of you beforehand. You may have requirements regarding the size of their home, the location in which they are to be kept on your property, or the fences you use to keep them contained.

Prepare Your Land Before Chickens Arrive

It is best to have a safe home for your chickens before you purchase or acquire them. Chickens need a secure coop for resting and keeping away from predators. This should be made of wood and insulated with hay to keep chickens warm. They also need roosting areas, such as a few exposed beams, as well as boxes filled with hay that they can use for laying their eggs. If you live in a cooler climate, the home may require heating during the wintertime months. This requires that you have an electrical outlet nearby. Place the coop close enough to your home that you can check on your chickens often. Fencing is a must for areas where predators are abundant. 

Keep Chicks Warm For The First Few Months

Many farming supply stores sell chicks during the spring months. They will do their best to sell chicks by their sex so you can purchase female egg layers or male roosters as desired. Chicks need constant warmth during their first few months of life. Purchase a metal tub and equip it with a heating lamp. You will notice the chicks congregate around the lamp to stay warm. Place this setup inside of your home in an area away from small children and pets.

Feed Your Chickens And Check On Them Often

Chickens enjoy eating seeds, plants, insects, and worms. You can purchase chicken feed from a local farming store to keep on hand for quick and easy feeding sessions. Follow the instructions on the packaging so you know the proper food-to-chicken ratio. Be sure to check the nesting boxes in your chicken coop daily so you can remove eggs. Chickens tend to refrain from laying eggs if there are still some present in their nesting areas. 

Check online for more information about how to raise chickens.