Looking After Pets

Many things factor into your chicken’s health. The healthier your hens are, the more eggs they will lay and the higher quality those eggs will be. Unhealthy chickens are stressed and will lay fewer eggs.

If you order your chicks from a commercial hatchery you can pay a nominal fee to have them vaccinated against some common sicknesses. It costs only a few pennies per chick from a commercial hatchery. You can also vaccinate your chickens at home. Some vaccines that are common include:

Marek’s Disease is highly contagious and causes tumors in hens, but most hatcheries offer the vaccine against this sickness. The virus is spread through dander, which is inhaled by the rest of the flock. There is no cure for this disease, but the vaccine can be given to day old chicks.

Newcastle Disease is a virus that is spread through secretions from the eyes, mouth, and nostrils or even the droppings of infected hens. This virus can be spread to humans, who suffer flu-like symptoms. Symptoms for chickens include tremors, respiratory difficulty, neck twisting, and it can lead to death. You can prevent this sickness with vaccination (usually of day old chicks).

Infectious Bronchitis must not be vaccinated against until 10-35 days of age. It can be given in the drinking water of your chickens or as an injection at fourteen to eighteen weeks.

Other vaccines are not commonly given unless the problem is in a flock or rampant in an area.

Most sickness can be prevented if the chicken coop plans are cleaned at least weekly. This significantly cuts down on bacteria and infection. Clean food and water dishes every day and remove uneaten food. Keep chicken feed in waterproof containers that are rat proofed and do not let it get wet.

Moveable coops or runs allow you to conveniently cut down on the building of droppings. This also allows for better forage for the hens. Chickens also won’t scratch away bare, brown spots in your yard because they’re being moved.

Hens of different ages need different intake. This is especially true of protein and carbohydrate requirements. It is a good idea to supplement feed with vegetables.

The healthiest hens get to eat a wide variety of greens and seeds. They can have scraps from your salads and peelings from fruits and vegetables.

Don’t give them any meat products, or salad that has dressing on it.

Immediate remove any chicken from the flock that has [diarrhea, is sneezing, [won’t get up to eat|diarrhea, will not get up to eat, is sneezing], or has drainage from its mouth, eyes, or nostrils. Like any other animal, chickens can get colds, but until you know what it is, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Many chicken diseases can go through a flock quickly. Often, the first signs of illness is the same for many diseases. To know for sure whether or not you have a problem, a simple look under the microscope might be enough, but many illnesses require a blood test.

Taking precautions to prevent illness is always cheaper than having to diagnosis and find a cure for a sick flock.

It’s become popular to raise and keep a small flock of chickens for eggs, as a activity for many families. It is part of the “back to basics” and healthy eating trend.

Most hens will lay five eggs per week. This means that if you need two dozen eggs per week, you will need about 4 to 5 good laying hens. Check the breeds that you are interested in and make sure they have the qualities you want. The best layers will not usually sit on eggs (be broody), but some of the breeds that are just a little less productive will set the eggs for you if you plan to raise chicks.

If you only want to produce eggs to eat, you won’t need to deal with a rooster, which is a big perk. Roosters can be mean, territorial, and cause problems with chicks introduced to the flock.

Picking the Right Chicken

The White Leghorn is the best laying breed. They begin laying at about five months of age and will continue to do so almost daily for three years or more.

Red and Black Stars are also excellent layers. Plus, they have the added attribute of being friendly and they make great pets. They lay large brown eggs almost every day.

Consider these things before choosing from the hundreds of chicken breeds available:

Look for hens that will thrive in your climate. Some are adaptable, while others will not do well in cold climates.

Be sure you have enough space – an adult hen needs at least 4 feet of space, minimum. Chickens need exercise, so more space is better and close confinement leads to stress and less egg laying.

A docile breed will be best if children will be involved.

Small Business and Eggs

Selling fresh eggs can be a great family passtime or even a small business.

If you have the room to free range the hens, then the eggs will bring a much higher price. You can also go completely organic and they will bring even more.

If you decide to have a rooster and fertile eggs for hatching, you can sell the fertile eggs for incubation projects for students, or sell baby chicks.

A rare or endangered species of chicken can command an even higher price. Online sales of these eggs can be done all year.

Be sure to learn how to pack eggs for shipping. This is not as difficult as you might think. A double box into which a snugly-fit, bubble-wrapped egg is placed is the key. Many have shipped and received eggs this way without a mishap. Have you ever planned constructing a DIY chicken coop?

Do not wash eggs you plan to incubate or sell for incubation. Just brush off any loose dirt. Washing the egg removes a protective layer on the outside of the shell.

Chicken keeping or eggs can be both fun and profitable.

Of all of the creatures that people can raise as pets, chickens really are distinctive from the perspective that they supply something that can be eaten when compared to other animals like puppies, ponies, cats and kittens and fish. In actual fact, raising chickens as pets pays off in the long term as they are a source of fresh meat and eggs nothing like what you normally buy in the grocery store.

Click here for our reviews of the Top 3 Chicken Coop Plans.

And taking into consideration the popularity of natural and organic food, with your own backyard chickens it is quite straightforward to produce your own organic eggs and poultry meat – all you need to do is feed your chickens organic chicken feed. Organically fed chickens that wander freely and feed on grass are found to lay eggs which have higher levels of Omega-3 fatty acids and Vitamin E whilst having lower cholesterol content!

Chickens Have Personalities Too

It may come as a surprise but each and every chicken has its own unique and charming personality traits. Aside from this, chickens are very pleasing to look at because their feathers come with an assortment of colors and patterns; they also can be found in all sizes and shapes. You will likely be tempted to indulge them, pick them up and cuddle them to show them off to your friends and family and give them their individual names as you get familiar with their traits.

Chicken Raising Plays a role in Environmental Care

Chickens instinctively love to roam freely. By permitting them to range freely, you end up with two very tangible advantages in return – they will gladly consume any garden insect they come across and assist you with your lawn cutting chores because they love to eat grass too. As an extra benefit, they’ll convert all that they have ingested into organic fertilizer! All you have to do is sit back on the porch and watch them while they gladly set about their daily activities.

Most people are not aware that chickens are able to eat almost everything human beings can, even leftover foods. Although you may re-think giving them onions and garlic because they are likely to make their eggs taste peculiar.

Chickens are excellent producers of black gold soil because their excrement is naturally nitrogen-rich. Chickens also enjoy foliage, weeds and lawn clippings – they in essence help people recycle their garden/farm trash instead of just getting rid of it.

Chickens are Low-Maintenance Pets

Of all creatures which may be looked after as pets, chickens are the ones that require hardly any upkeep when compared to others. All you need to do is be sure their water and food containers are freshly filled and refreshed on a daily basis. And as soon as they begin to lay eggs, then you have to gather the eggs each day too. Cleaning up their coops every day or every second day is good enough and their beddings need to be changed once every three or four weeks depending on varying weather conditions.

Click here to learn more about Building a Chicken Hen House.

Do not be surprised but there are now a lot of people who would rather raise their own livestock for their tables. The same goes for organic vegetables which can be easily grown in the garden. This is because they want to make sure that the food they eat are indeed fresh, clean and healthy so that their families would be safe from any diseases as well. One popular type of livestock that is easy to raise and grow is chickens. Raising backyard chickens have become very popular these days in several countries around the world especially in those areas where most of the people enjoy organic food on their tables. Raising backyard chickens is relatively easy as their needs are simple and can be easily obtained at any pet store. Below are the basic guides on raising backyard chickens.

If you are a novice on how to keep chickens, the first thing to consider when raising backyard chickens is the type of hen that you want to raise or keep. There are several brands or types of hens that you can choose from depending on the reason as to why you want to keep them. If you are planning on raising backyard chickens for their eggs then there are two types of hens that you can choose from; the full size hen and the bantam hen. The full size hen lays bigger eggs than that of a bantam hen. So if you want bigger eggs at the table, you may want to purchase full size hens to raise.

The next thing to consider when raising backyard chickens is the food that they eat. While hens generally eat the same thing, which is crumbs, pellets and grit, there are some chicken feed that is designed for certain types of hen. For example, egg laying types of hens eat a different set of pellets from the meat type of hens. Do consider this information as well before purchasing your feed from the pet store. If you are still not sure as to what to feed your chickens, it would be best to consult a veterinarian so that you do not make the mistake of feeding them the wrong type of chicken feed.

Other things that you may want to consider when raising chickens in your backyard are their coop and the place where they can run free range. There are times when you will need to set your hens loose so that they are able to scratch on the soil and get enough exercise too. Raising backyard chickens is a nice hobby to take up that can eventually lead to something beneficial and profitable for the family.

Looking for more tips on raising backyard chickens? Visit the how to raise chickens website today to discover everything you need to know and how easy it is to raise your own chickens. Separate yourself from the usual chicken owners and avoid costly mistakes, just go to: howtoraisechicken.com

If you’ve set up a backyard chicken coop, then you have undoubtedly spent a lot of hard work getting everything set up. It would be a terrible waste to see the coop begin to deteriorate from lack of care. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be too difficult to keep a chicken coop running smoothly and in good repair, provided you keep up with things on a regular basis.

Here’s what you should pay the most attention to in caring for your chicken coop.

Pay Attention To The Door

Since the door is one area of the coop that’s going to be constantly moving as you go in and out to feed the chickens, it’s something you’ll want to watch and maintain regularly. If the latch is becoming loose, be sure you fix this immediately so your chickens don’t find a way to escape out.

If it seems that you are continuously having problems with the door, then you may want to replace it altogether, or at the very least, change the latch to something more secure. In either event, be sure to bolt the latch securely to the door.

Chances are you’ll have your own preference when it comes to opening the door, so take some time to figure out what is most convenient.

Routinely Check the Fence

Another aspect of the chicken house that should be monitored at least once a month is the structure of the fence. If you do have predators that come around frequently, they may attempt to get in which can impact the stableness of your fence, calling for some rebuilding if necessary.

Depending on the strength and materials of the fence, some fences may weaken and topple with time. This is why it’s important to test different areas of the fence to make sure it is still sound.

Check Feeders

Keeping a close eye on the feeders located in the chicken coop is also vital since these will be used on a daily basis. In some cases if the feeders are very beat up it could be a signal you should consider installing another one into the coop as the chickens may be constantly fighting over food and picking at the feeder.

You should also observe how your chickens respond to the height of the feeder. Some chickens prefer a feeder lower to the ground, while others prefer them higher up. Try to place the feeder in a location that is convenient for all of your chickens.

In many cases, the feeder won’t need to be moved more than an inch or two, but this is quite important when it comes to the chickens’ ability to access the food easily.

It is critical to maintain your chicken coop regularly. If you have decided on a mobile chicken coop, this task is quite simple, since you can easily move the coop to wherever you are. If you’ve chosen a stationary chicken coop, the best way to keep on top of things is to create a weekly or monthly maintenance schedule and stick to it.

If you’ve set up a backyard chicken coop, then you have undoubtedly spent a lot of hard work getting everything set up. It would be a terrible waste to see the coop begin to deteriorate from lack of care. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be too difficult to keep a chicken coop running smoothly and in good repair, provided you keep up with things on a regular basis.

Here’s what you should pay the most attention to in caring for your chicken coop.

Don’t Overlook the Door

The door is a crucial part of the coop, since a damaged door could easily allow your chickens to escape the coop. Since you use the door on a daily basis, it gets more wear and tear than many parts of the coop. Be sure to monitor it regularly for signs of damage or wear, and repair it immediately if you notice that the latch is beginning to weaken.

If it seems that you are continuously having problems with the door, then you may want to replace it altogether, or at the very least, change the latch to something more secure. In either event, be sure to bolt the latch securely to the door.

Chances are you’ll have your own preference when it comes to opening the door, so take some time to figure out what is most convenient.

Check Your Fence Regularly

Another aspect of the chicken house that should be monitored at least once a month is the structure of the fence. If you do have predators that come around frequently, they may attempt to get in which can impact the stableness of your fence, calling for some rebuilding if necessary.

Depending on the strength and materials of the fence, some fences may weaken and topple with time. This is why it’s important to test different areas of the fence to make sure it is still sound.

Inspect the Feeders

Keeping a close eye on the feeders located in the chicken coop is also vital since these will be used on a daily basis. In some cases if the feeders are very beat up it could be a signal you should consider installing another one into the coop as the chickens may be constantly fighting over food and picking at the feeder.

You should also observe how your chickens respond to the height of the feeder. Some chickens prefer a feeder lower to the ground, while others prefer them higher up. Try to place the feeder in a location that is convenient for all of your chickens.

Sometimes the feeder will only need to be moved an inch or two, but this can make a big difference in the ability of the chickens to access the food.

So, don’t neglect the maintenance of your chicken coop. If you decided to go with a mobile chicken coop you’ll find that maintenance does tend to be quite a bit easier since you can just move the coop to wherever you are. If you didn’t, than that just means regularly planning maintenance into your weekly or monthly schedule as you see fit.

Probably one of the decisions you’re struggling with right now at this point is determining which type of chicken coop you need. There are a variety of different chicken coops that you can build, but understanding which one is going to best fit your needs is important for getting optimal results. If you spend the money on a chicken house, it only makes sense that it needs to match your individual needs, so getting started on the right foot is important.

Essentially, there are a few factors which are more important than other and as such, you need to pay careful attention to them. Hopefully, those points which are mentioned in this article will help you to set out on the right foot so that you’ll end up having a coop which is ideal for your needs.

Size

Possibly one of the most important factors that will need to be looked at is the size of chicken coop you want to build. There’s small, medium, and large plans for the chicken coops, each which accommodates a certain number of chickens.

Unfortunately, it seems that the most common mistake people make, is that they try to house too many chickens in their coop. Remember, each chicken should ideally be provided with enough space to feel content and comfortable, particularly if you want your chickens to lay a decent amount of eggs.

It’s always better to error on the size of being too big than being too small, plus then you can always add more birds to the chicken coop if you want later on.

Portable Coop or Fixed Coop

That’s right, once you’ve decided on the size, you then have to decide whether you want a fixed coop or a portable one. Of course, both have their advantages and disadvantages. Portable coops for example can be moved around as you see fit, hence the reason for them being popular between those who keep chickens as pets.

Additionally, portable chicken coops also allow for easy maintenance because you can move them to a specific area for cleaning purposes.

On the other hand however, if you want something with more structural strength then of course a fixed coop would probably suit you better. While they may not be able to be moved around, fixed coops do tend to cope with wear and tear better than portable coops.

Predator Protection

Factor in protection from predators as you make your decision what type of chicken coop to make as well. Ideally you should have a very solid fencing system to keep all varieties of predators out. This will have to be built to match the size of the coop you’re building as well.

Appearance

Finally, think about the overall appearance of what you want your chicken coop to look like. There are a number of different ways you can build the chicken coop which will impact the overall design of the chicken coop. This will also likely influence the cost of the building process, so it’s something to think about and work within your budget.

There are definitely cheaper methods to build your chicken coop so understanding the different things that will influence the cost is the first step to making a smart decision.

Providing you pay some attention to those points which have been mentioned before you start building a chicken coop, you could very well end up saving a small fortune in the end.

If you’ve decided you want to build a chicken coop then you’re more than likely trying to figure out what type of coop to build, and who can blame you considering there are so many options available. However, you really need to consider which type of coop will be best suited to your needs before you go ahead and start handing over any of your hard earned cash.

As you can well imagine, there are certain factors one needs to consider before deciding what coop to build. The points mentioned below will hopefully allow you make the right decisions and to choose wisely so that you can be 100% satisfied with your chicken coop once it’s completed.

The Size

Coop size is probably one of the key factors to consider when you set out to build a chicken coop. Depending on how many chickens you intend keeping, you can obtain plans for small, medium and large coops.

Unfortunately, it seems that the most common mistake people make, is that they try to house too many chickens in their coop. Remember, each chicken should ideally be provided with enough space to feel content and comfortable, particularly if you want your chickens to lay a decent amount of eggs.

It’s always better to error on the size of being too big than being too small, plus then you can always add more birds to the chicken coop if you want later on.

Portable Coop or Fixed Coop

That’s right, once you’ve decided on the size, you then have to decide whether you want a fixed coop or a portable one. Of course, both have their advantages and disadvantages. Portable coops for example can be moved around as you see fit, hence the reason for them being popular between those who keep chickens as pets.

Portable chicken coops also have the advantage in that they can be shifted to a suitable area for cleaning and general maintenance.

On the other hand however, if you want something with more structural strength then of course a fixed coop would probably suit you better. While they may not be able to be moved around, fixed coops do tend to cope with wear and tear better than portable coops.

Level of Protection

If you’re going to keep chickens then you need to acknowledge the fact that predators are a very real threat, hence the need for suitable protection. Ideally, your fencing should be able to keep all forms of predators out and of course, this is something you need to factor in when you build the coop.

Style

Finally, think about the overall appearance of what you want your chicken coop to look like. There are a number of different ways you can build the chicken coop which will impact the overall design of the chicken coop. This will also likely influence the cost of the building process, so it’s something to think about and work within your budget.

The bottom line is; there are a number of ways to build a cheap chicken coop so it’s important that you understand the various options and how they will affect the total cost.

So, be sure you’re factoring these points in as you decide which type of chicken coop you wish to build. Getting the information up front before you start to build will help save you hundreds of dollars over the long run.

The purpose of this article is really so that I can discuss building materials which are necessary for building a chicken coop. Bear in mind that the materials will primarily determine how much the chicken coop is going to cost, so of course it’s crucial that you can make well informed decisions with regards the materials.

Strangely enough, many people tend to believe that in order to build a chicken coop; they’ll require plenty of expensive building materials but this couldn’t be further from the truth because you can make a chicken coop from various materials. You can make one from old 50 gallons drums, an old garden shed, old bits of timber, or even from PVC pipes.

Usually wood is the most common material used to build the chicken coop however it’s also the priciest, so you’ll have to weight the pros versus the cons. If you want your chicken coop to last for years and years to come, it may be a good idea to invest in a wooden coop to ensure that it does withstand various climate changes.

Keep in mind with this though that wood varieties will also vary in price and that will influence your decision, so looking at the different types of wood is also important.

If you only intend building a small chicken coop then you could even consider using some recycled timber. You could also simply ask around for old bits of scrap timber but be prepared, because you may find yourself having to remove many nails before the timber can be used. Also, because you’ll be using different types of wood, different sections of the chicken coop may not match up in the end. However, if your primary concern is to use the most cost effective method there is, then you may want to consider this option.

Believe it or not; if you’re willing to shop around when it comes to purchasing the building materials, you can end up saving yourself about half of what you would have paid had you purchased the materials from the very first store you went into.

The bottom line is; it’s imperative that you give careful consideration to what’s been mentioned in this article before you go out and begin purchasing the materials you need. Furthermore, it’s essential for you to have a thorough understanding before you commence with the building. It’s relatively easy to start getting confused once you start building and you may very well experience some difficulty. For this reason, you should always try to make sense of it all before you start.

When some people go about building their own chicken coop they fail to take into account how to build it so that it lasts long enough to be worth the money they have invested in it. This problem can be overcome by gaining an understanding of how the materials should be used and getting an eye for the overall construction so that the coop will be sturdy and last a long time.

Landscaping

The first step is to make sure the area where you will build your chicken coop is properly landscaped and level. There are two ways to do this. You can look for the ideal spot for your chicken coop and then develop the land so you can build on it, or you can look for land that is already level and ready to go with minimal effort.

Choosing land that does not require a lot of preparation is not only easier but it is cheaper. The choice depends on your personal preference and how bad you want your chicken coop to be in a particular location.

It is important to take time and get the land in proper shape because your chicken coop will last much longer if it is build upon a sturdy foundation.

Spend Money On The Base Structure

Don’t pinch pennies when it comes to building the structural base of your chicken coop. Using cheap materials here could haunt you later. You don’t have to buy the most expensive but don’t choose materials based on price alone. Seek out cost effective supplies that will be durable and long lasting.

Don’t Forget The Windows

Don’t forget to add windows to your chicken coop design so your chickens will stay happy and healthy and continue to lay eggs like they should. Without enough light, your chickens might not make any eggs for you and they might become ill. Not only will windows let in enough light to make your chickens happy, they will make you happy too because they will reduce the total cost of building your chicken coop.

Be careful where you place your windows. If you put them in the wrong area of your walls you can make them weak which makes the entire structure less sturdy. Proper chicken coop building plans are very useful at times like these when you are building your coop.

Position The Chicken Feeders Wisely

Placing your feeders in the correct position is more important than you might think. If they are too high the chickens will not be able to eat comfortably. If they are too low the chickens will scratch their food and scatter it all over the floor which wastes it and makes extra expense for you.

With food scattered everywhere, the chickens will probably start pecking and scratching at the food on the floor which will cause damage over the course of time.

It is worth the extra time spent planning your chicken coop design and building it to be sturdy and durable. That way you won’t be constantly fixing up problems that arise and making repairs that wouldn’t be necessary if you had built the coop properly to start with.

« Older Entries