Raising chickens can be a lot of fun especially when you see the rewards of all your time and effort you put into it.
I know that you are eager to start learning how to build a chicken coop and raise your chickens.
So here are the basics on raising chickens.
First, you need to determine what size you want your chicken coop to be.
This is determined by the number of chickens you want to keep.
You want to build a big enough coop so that your chickens have room to nest and have a place to run outside.
It's best to build a bigger coop than you need.
You can always add more chickens, you just don't want to overcrowd them.
Next, decide on the type of design you want your coop to be.
For your first coop you might want to build a cheap and easy coop.
A plain coop made out of scraps of wood that you can find around the house or at your friends house will do just fine.
Pick a design that includes coop features such as nesting boxes, chicken feeders, chicken roosts, windows, and chicken runs.
It's important to keep in mind what your chickens are going to need in their home.
Once you have your coop built, it's time to bring the chickens home.
The best place to find your chickens is either from a breeder or a local feed store preferably in the spring.
There are about 13-15 common breeds of chickens found in feed stores.
So be sure to ask which chicks are the best for your needs.
Chicks can cost anywhere from $2.
50 to $3.
00.
That's about the cost of a dozen fresh organic eggs.
Just imagine how many eggs you will get from just one chicken.
If you are looking to eat your chickens, be sure to get the right breed.
When choosing your chickens, look for chicks with clean beaks and feet.
There should be no discharge from the eyes and nostrils.
Be sure to listen to the chick, you should not be able to hear them breathe.
If you hear wheezing, don't buy that chicken.
When you bring your chicks home, don't put them in the chicken coop just yet, they are way too young.
Find a cardboard box or small cage and put some pine shavings in the bottom.
They will live in the box for the next 60 days so be sure to keep the pine shavings clean to prevent your chicks from getting sick.
You will want to keep these chicks warms so find a 100 watt light bulb that you can place in the corner of the box.
For the first ten weeks you should feed your chicks crumbles.
You can choose the medicated ones or non-medicated ones.
Since chicks like to poop everywhere even in their water, I would suggest you get the medicated crumble and be sure to keep the water clean.
If you don't do that you could run the risk of your chicks getting coccidiosis which is an intestinal parasite that can wipe out your chicks.
Be sure to play with your chicks so that they can get used to you being around them.
A couple of weeks after bring them home you can let them roam out in the yard.
Just be sure to watch them close.
Those chicks like to explore and you don't want to be chasing chicks all day.
After 60 days, if your chicks are healthy, you can move them to the chicken coop.
Be sure they have feathers so they can protect themselves.
Double check the coop to make sure they can't get out or more importantly that predators can't get in.
There are many predators out there that would love to have a baby chick for dinner.
Make sure they have plenty of food and water.
These chicks love to eat and drink a lot.
You might want to change their feed to pellets once you put them in the chicken coop.
Well that's the basics on raising chickens.
Now you can sit back and enjoy raising your chickens.
Remember to have fun taking care of your chickens and be sure to involve your family in their care.