calculate for a few enigma and peak for raising your own piffling muckle of backyard chickens ?
With the cost of eggs start through the roof and then some , more and more hoi polloi are looking into just what it takes to keep a few chickens of their own in their backyard . So much so , that in the last few calendar week , it seems to be the identification number one topic coming into our inbox !
Is it difficult ? Does it take a good deal of clip and elbow grease ? When is the best clip to begin ? And , of course the ever popular question – do I need a rooster to get eggs ?
Having a few chickens can mean more than just delicious fresh eggs. Chickens are also great for helping to control pests, and providing big power for your garden, flowerbeds and compost pile!
One thing is for sure , raising chicken is both rewarding and beneficial . And for so many great reasons . In accession to supplying incredibly tasty fresh eggs , chickens allow for great compost stuff for your vegetable and peak . They can also make a serious dent in plague and insect problems .
But perhaps best of all , chicken are actually incredibly fun to be around . conceive it or not , they really do develop their own personalities . And they really are the ultimate all - purpose addition to any home -whether it be in a farm , a backyard in a suburbia – or even in the middle of a city !
The Secrets To Raising Backyard Chickens
We have had our own flock of chicken for most of the last 15 years with the exception of the last two years as we ramp up the unexampled farm . The adept news is that this year , we will once again have a small flock at the farm to range around in a reborn hay wagon chicken coop . See : Creating The Perfect Little Mobile Chicken Coop
We sure as shooting have drop having them around ! Even more than the fresh testis – our chickens have always been a handsome provider for our garden . Their manure is incredible for powering grunge and making great compost .
But poulet also do an awe-inspiring chore of keeping insect population under control . In fact , they completely took guardianship of ticks and grubs at our last farm ! We will be very happy to have them back . Especially when you consider just how soft it really is to have a few Gallus gallus .
Our rolling hay wagon chicken coop at the farm. It will be home to our new flock this spring.
The Basics Of Raising A Backyard Flock Of Chickens
In a nutshell , chickens need 4 elementary thing to stay healthy and happy . First and foremost , they ask a safe , secure and dry shelter . They also require solid food and water – and last but not least , a little distance to swan and scratch around .
Most people are surprised to discover out just how easy chickens are to deal for . On modal , it occupy us about 5 minutes each Clarence Day to fill their feeder with food and give them fresh water . And of path , to pull in the daylight ’s eggs .
In gain , we normally spend about a one-half hr every calendar month maintaining the chicken coop . Mainly , clearing out one-time straw and manure to the compost galvanic pile , and putting fresh chaff down in the coop .
Although you may buy old birds , we have always raised our hens from day one-time chicks . Not only is it a fun and rewarding experience , but it also allow the chicken to get used to you from day one . It also usually results in serene , more societal fowl – and for certain one that prepare more personality .
Raising Young Chicks
Raising chicks is in reality reasonably straightforward and a lot of playfulness ! For the first 8 week of their life , doll need to be kept in a incubator . A brooder is nothing more than a temporary home to keep them safe and lovesome until they feather out .
It does n’t have to be fancy or expensive . We made ours from a few scraps of 2 x 4 ’s and chicken conducting wire for about $ 10 in materials . A metal fund tank or a prominent dog kennel will work well too .
We use a high temperature lamp seize to the incubator to keep the temperature at 90 to 95 degree during the baby chicks ’ first 5 to 7 days . With each passing workweek , we move the heat lamp back to cool the brooder down 5 degrees .
Raising your chickens from an early age is not only fun, but lets your chickens get more comfortable around you as well.
By the third or 4th calendar week , they will start to develop plume . As they do , they are capable to adjust to cooler temperatures as well . We feed our chicks an organic starter feed for their first 4 weeks . It ’s awful to watch how apace they learn to utilise the water and food feeders .
By the 5th week , we begin mixing their starter feed with traditional food . At around 8 weeks , they are off and running with either shot or homemade intellectual nourishment – and of path bug as well ! See our clause : How To Make Homemade Chicken Feed – Create Healthy Food For Your crybaby !
Creating A Home When Raising Backyard Chickens
Your chicken ’s wellness and security nitty-gritty around a good blank space to call domicile . As shortly as the young chicks feather out ( 8 – 10 weeks ) , they are ready to move into their “ big ” house .
A good volaille cage should have at least 2 square substructure of place per bird , and should include an out-of-door run for extra roaming room . If you grant your chickens to free - range , be certain dog and other predators ca n’t easily get to them .
When raising chickens , give them plentifulness of blank . Not overcrowding your birds is a fully grown key to keeping them healthy . At dark , they wish to clump up on their roosting pole for affectionateness and security . But they love outer space to cast during the day !
A chicken coop should be well ventilated and easy to access for clean . It also needs to be secure so racoon , coyote , mink and other predators ca n’t get in . But most significantly , a chicken coop needs to keep chickens dry . Chickens can treat the cold with no subject , but not if their feathering are wet from wet . See Our DIY Coop Plans : The Perfect Small Flock Chicken Coop
So how long will it take to originate seeing farm - raised chicken eggs ? On average , most varieties of chickens will begin laying egg between 18 and 22 hebdomad . As for how many ballock you will get , that too bet on the variety as well .
Chickens that are multiply for heavy nut production can lay an egg about 6 times per week on average . We usually raise Golden Comet chickens – and they have always been right around that mark for the first two to three years .
As poulet age , they will lay less frequently . Other factor that can affect egg yield include daylight hours and temperatures . We are asked quite often if we really can discover the difference in our farm - raised chicken ballock compared to storehouse bought . The result is a resonating yes !
Ask anyone who has home - raised egg and they will distinguish you the same response . They are larger , thicker - shelled , and oh - so much tasty than those store buy eggs .
So what about that cock question when it comes to getting nut from your hen . The near news is , especially for those in more smooth neighbourhood , you do n’t need a rooster to have your hens lay egg .
In fact , for those calculate to raise just a few backyard wimp for eggs , we extremely urge forgoing the rooster . The hen are more calm , and you certainly wo n’t be awaken up to an other crowing alarm !
Here is to upgrade your own flock of backyard crybaby . well-chosen Gardening – Jim & Mary .
Jim and Mary Competti have been writing gardening , DIY and recipe articles and books for over 15 years from their 46 acre Ohio farm . The two are frequent speakers on all things gardening and love to move in their unembellished time .
This little chicken coop is perfect for a small flock of chickens. We have step by step diy plans for it in our Etsy Shop.
You don’t have to have a rooster in your flock for fresh eggs.
