Chicken Plans - Points to Consider When Wanting to Raise Chickens in Hot Or Cold Climates
Some species of chicken prefer winters and can survive with no problems,other species prefer a much warmer climate.
You need to take into consideration the weather conditions in your local area so you can make an informed decision on which species of chicken to purchase, you don't want to waste your time and money by having your chickens die after a couple of months.
Winter In the winter or extremely cold days, it is not advisable to try and warm your chickens up because you think they may freeze or catch a cold.
You could wake in the morning to a dead flock of chickens, they can adapt to a cold climate because of certain changes of the chicken's metabolism, it changes when cold weather is imminant.
If you live in an area where cold conditions are common place, or it is basically winter most of the time, there are certain precautions you can take to ensure you will not risk the lives of your chickens.
A.
There's a chance that your chicken's comb or wattle could suffer from frostbite.
This can be prevented by rubbing a little moisturizer or petroleum jelly into it every other day.
B.
Be aware of a frozen supply of water.
They cannot drink from a frozen water source and it is cruel to deprive them of water.
Water for chickens must always be fresh and clean as a chicken can not handle impurities in it's water.
You could install a water heater so the drink does not freeze over, or another solution is to regularly check the waterer.
Summer You could live in a state where it is summer most of the time, and your chickens could be exposed to extra warmth on a constant basis.
Dehydration is a big risk in conditions like these.
Therefore it is advisable to be extremely vigilant to ensure that your chickens never run out of water.
It is important that your chickens have a good supply of fresh clean water to avoid dehydration.
You need to provide some sort of shaded area in their coop.
Also if you do not have a run for your chickens you will need to ensure that there is sufficient ventilation for them.
In warmer conditions hens can be expected to lay fewer eggs.
This is a common sign that lets us know that our chickens are becoming stressed because of the heat.
The number of eggs your chickens lay will return to normal once the heatwave has ended.
Sometimes if conditions are worsening you must keep an eye on your chickens behaviour.
Something could be happening to your chickens, it is possible that a chicken is acting a bit strange or it may even catch a cold, if this is the case it is advisable to separate it from the others to stop the spread of disease.
It is imperative that you provide water for the chicken and feed too.
Once you have the situation under control it is wise to talk with a vet.
Explain to them what sort of behaviour your chicken is exhibiting.
Let them know if your chickens are suffering with: 1.
Loss of appetite.
2.
Keeping away from the rest of the chickens.
3.
Do they look depressed.
4.
Watery eyes or even sneezing.
5.
Unusual stools, for example worms, blood or its white.
6.
Mites.
Make sure you let your vet know exactly what you can see so they can let you know the appropriate response.
These points are only a few of the things you need to consider when wanting to keep chickens in warm or cold environments, it is best to be prepared for all eventualities.
You need to take into consideration the weather conditions in your local area so you can make an informed decision on which species of chicken to purchase, you don't want to waste your time and money by having your chickens die after a couple of months.
Winter In the winter or extremely cold days, it is not advisable to try and warm your chickens up because you think they may freeze or catch a cold.
You could wake in the morning to a dead flock of chickens, they can adapt to a cold climate because of certain changes of the chicken's metabolism, it changes when cold weather is imminant.
If you live in an area where cold conditions are common place, or it is basically winter most of the time, there are certain precautions you can take to ensure you will not risk the lives of your chickens.
A.
There's a chance that your chicken's comb or wattle could suffer from frostbite.
This can be prevented by rubbing a little moisturizer or petroleum jelly into it every other day.
B.
Be aware of a frozen supply of water.
They cannot drink from a frozen water source and it is cruel to deprive them of water.
Water for chickens must always be fresh and clean as a chicken can not handle impurities in it's water.
You could install a water heater so the drink does not freeze over, or another solution is to regularly check the waterer.
Summer You could live in a state where it is summer most of the time, and your chickens could be exposed to extra warmth on a constant basis.
Dehydration is a big risk in conditions like these.
Therefore it is advisable to be extremely vigilant to ensure that your chickens never run out of water.
It is important that your chickens have a good supply of fresh clean water to avoid dehydration.
You need to provide some sort of shaded area in their coop.
Also if you do not have a run for your chickens you will need to ensure that there is sufficient ventilation for them.
In warmer conditions hens can be expected to lay fewer eggs.
This is a common sign that lets us know that our chickens are becoming stressed because of the heat.
The number of eggs your chickens lay will return to normal once the heatwave has ended.
Sometimes if conditions are worsening you must keep an eye on your chickens behaviour.
Something could be happening to your chickens, it is possible that a chicken is acting a bit strange or it may even catch a cold, if this is the case it is advisable to separate it from the others to stop the spread of disease.
It is imperative that you provide water for the chicken and feed too.
Once you have the situation under control it is wise to talk with a vet.
Explain to them what sort of behaviour your chicken is exhibiting.
Let them know if your chickens are suffering with: 1.
Loss of appetite.
2.
Keeping away from the rest of the chickens.
3.
Do they look depressed.
4.
Watery eyes or even sneezing.
5.
Unusual stools, for example worms, blood or its white.
6.
Mites.
Make sure you let your vet know exactly what you can see so they can let you know the appropriate response.
These points are only a few of the things you need to consider when wanting to keep chickens in warm or cold environments, it is best to be prepared for all eventualities.