Raise Your Own Backyard Chickens

Are you scared to eat eggs after the massive recall a couple of weeks ago? I sure don't blame you. The best and safest way to know what your eating is to raise it your self. How To Care For A Chick - First 60 Days:




Young Chick house - Can be as simple as a sturdy cardboard box or a small animal cage like one you'd use for rabbits.

Flooring - Pine shavings work best

Temperature - 90 to 100 deg. for the first week, decrease 5 deg. per week. A 100 watt bulb pointing in one corner (not the whole brooder) works well.

Food & water - chick crumbles / starter & a chick waterer

Play time - Play with your chicks when young to get the use to being around people.

Outside time - Section off an area in your yard where the chicks can explore, scratch, etc. Make sure you can catch them when it's time to come in.
 
 
Chicken Care After First 60 Days, General Chicken Care:


Chicken Coops - Once feathered out you'll want to move your chickens into a chicken coop! Rule of thumb is about 2-3 square feet per chicken inside the henhouse and 4-5 sq/ft per chicken in an outside run. Keep local predators in mind and make a safe home for your flock!

Flooring - Pine shavings work best. You can even try the deep litter method for even less maintenance.

Food & water - Most people go with chicken layer feed / pellets. You can even make a homemade chicken feeder / waterer

Treats - Vegetables, bread, bugs, chicken scratch (cracked corn,wheat)
 
Chickens can make good companion animals and can be tamed by hand feeding, but roosters can sometimes become aggressive and noisy. A Lot of people find chickens' behavior both entertaining and educational. Raising hens for laying eggs is becoming very common as economies shrink and the urban farm movement spreads.



While some cities in the United States allow chickens as pets, the practice is not approved in all localities. Some communities ban only roosters, allowing the quieter hens. You should check with your local authorities before you purchase your chickens.
 

Backyard Chickens can also consume pulverized eggshells or otherwise unused food, such as left overs and old (but not rotten!) produce. Backyard Chickens particularly like leftover baked goods, fruit, or vegetable peelings. They will frink cows milk (but give in modest amounts). You should, however, avoid making these scraps the sole diet.




It is recommended that you avoid giving your backyard chickens raw potato peels (as chickens can't easily digest these). Also avoid anything spoiled or rotten as well as strong-tasting foods like onions, garlic, or fish.