For quite some time I have been toying with the idea of getting chickens. I love the idea of having baby chicks around to help my children learn responsibility and how nature works to provide for us. This, however, is a big decision. Sure, little chicks are cute and having fresh eggs would be divine, but don’t forget that chickens are a lot of work. While they are usually quite content pecking away on their own, they still need a lot of care. Here are several things to consider before getting chickens.
1. Does your residential area allow chickens? Many areas, like homes in the city or neighborhoods, do not allow chickens. You could be fined and forced to remove them.
2. What are you going to do with them when they are done laying eggs?
3. What climate do you live in? Cold climates mean harsh winters when your chickens will need extra care.
4. Do you have time to keep their pens clean, water fresh and food available?
5. What do I need to make them a home? You will need a place for them to lay their eggs and get out of bad weather.
6. Will your chickens be free range or have a chicken pen? How will you keep them in your yard and not your neighbors?
7. What breed of chicken should you buy?
After researching chickens in further detail I still want them to join our family. However, I am going to take my time to make sure my preparations are done right and I am ready for them to join us. Ive read that the best time to get baby chicks is mid March-May. Since it is already March and I have not yet preparing a home for them, I will hold off on my plans until next year when I have ample time to prepare for their arrival. Plus, I still have some convincing to do with my husband who is not yet on board with the idea.
If you are interested in raising chickens, check out the e-book titled The Urban Chicken. I just finished reading it to help me decide if chickens were a good addition to our home or not. The book answered all of the questions I had that I mentioned above. The book also talks about what breed of chicken are best to get for your overall goals, how to care for them and what to do when things go wrong. I think this book is a great resource for the un-experienced person thinking about whether or not to embark on the chicken raising lifestyle. (Like me!)
The e-book The Urban Chicken as mentioned above is available for purchase at the following link. This lovely book is written by Heather Harris. You can also view her blog at .
Any readers raising chickens that can share their experiences with us? I am so curious and want to know more! Please leave your thoughts on raising chickens in the comments.
<3 Dick and JaneDisclosure: I was able to read this book for free from the writer. I was not compensated for mentioning it in my post. All thoughts in this post are my own and not pursuaded by my free copy to read.
Baby Chicks Online in
Alberta, Alabama
We have many Rare Chicken Breeds for sale in Alberta Alabama,
including Sussex Chickens, Welsummer Chickens, Turken Chickens and more.
Be sure to check out the Bargain Specials, as you can combine different
egg layers in smaller amounts and buy as an assortment. Alberta
Alabama also has poultry equipment for sale, game chickens for sale in
Alberta Alabama, bantams for sale, ducks for sale, geese for sale,
turkeys for sale, guinea for sale, peafowl for sale, pheasant for sale,
chukar partridge for sale, bobwhite for sale, many different breeds of
baby chicks for sale in Alberta AL.
Baby Chickens Under Lights in
Alberta, Alabama
Thumbing through a baby chickens for sale in Alberta Alabama
catalog is a yearly traditions in many houses. My kids and I eagerly await
the Murray McMurray Hatchery catalog. We love looking at all the cool and
different chicken breeds available. Catalogs are free so head on over to
their site and request one if you are interested.
Typically hatcheries online offer both standard breeds
and bantams. Bantams are fun hardy little chickens, they lay tiny eggs
that kids especially love collecting. Bantams typically weigh less than 2
pounds when full grown. Just like ordering anything online there are pros
and cons to ordering baby chicks online. Pros of buying baby chicks in
Alberta Alabama * Big Selection - If you are wanting a large
variety of different chicken breeds and egg colors, you will find the best
selection at an online hatchery. * Both Bantams and full sized chickens
available * You get to choose what sex you want. If you want a mixture of
both male and female then choosing a "straight run" will save you money
and you will get a mixture of male and female chicks. You can also choose
all males or all females too. * Weekly specials. Hatcheries have sales on
chicks, you are likely to get a good deal if you are flexible with the
breeds you are wanting. Cons of buying baby chicks in Alberta
Alabama * Order early to get the best selection. Certain breeds sell
out fast, sometimes as early as 6 months in advance of shipping! If you
are wanting a certain breed it's best to order your chicks in the fall
before their orders sell out.
Baby Chicks Food in
Alberta, Alabama
Quantity - you must order a certain number of chicks. Typically hatcheries
will require you buy a minimum of 25 chicks at a time. The number is
necessary for the chicks survival during shipping. All 25 chicks are put
in one small box without heat. They are crowded in the box and produce
enough body heat to arrive in good shape. * The wait - If you choose to
buy chicks from a feed store you will have them the same day but if you
choose to go with a hatchery you have to wait until they are ready to ship
and then wait for the chicks to arrive. Ordering baby chicks online in
Alberta Alabama is easy and has always been a very pleasant
experience of me. It can be a little frustrating waiting for the chicks
but it's so worth the wait. When the post office calls and you hear all
those little "cheeps" or "chirps" in the background you'll know the wait
was worth it! How to Care for your new baby chickens in Alberta,
Alabama Baby chicks are very
cute as well as
tough to resist,
but it's finest to prepare for their
arrival before you obtain them. Prepare first
by collecting not just the
correct materials, however
also the proper
understanding to take care of
them. Raising baby chicks is fairly
straightforward, you merely should give them with the following: A
clean and warm and comfortable
environment Plenty of food as well
as water Interest and
love Environment Your habitat can be a straightforward box, fish tank,
pet cat carrier, or guinea
pig cage. Line it with old towels and also
blankets (without any loosened
strings!) to start, as well as after a
couple of weeks make use of straw over paper.
Note: Avoid using only
paper or other slipper
surfaces-- or your chicks legs could grow
malformed. You likewise require
something to provide food and
water in, such as a chicken feeder and water
recipe from the feed store, or a pickle jar
cover for food and also a pet dog bird water dispenser from a
pet dog store. Also, as the chicks age you could introduce a perch
right into the habitat to obtain them
trained on perching. Heat To
keep your chicks heat you need to
supply them with a warmth resource.
This can be as simple as a 100 watt
light bulb in a reflective clamp design lamp from a
hardware shop, or an infrared reptile warmth
bulb additionally function effectively (my
suggestion). Chicks need this
heat 24/7 up until their downy fluff is
changed with feathers (which can occupy to two months). The freshly
hatched out need a temperature level
between 90 as well as 100 levels,
and also every week this could
be minimized by
around 5 levels approximately. The heat source need to be on simply one side of the cage
to permit chicks an array of
temperature levels. The chicks are your ideal
thermostat- if they are concealing in the
contrary corner of your heat
lamp, you need to
lower the temperature. If
they are smothering each other under the
heat (not just curling up),
you need to add some warmth.
Housekeeping
Sanitation is key and also it keeps your chicks healthy. Be sure to alter
the bed linens
commonly and also
always offer tidy
food and also water Food as well as water.
Chicks grow quite quickly
which calls for plenty of tidy
food as well as water. Provide
sufficient whatsoever times as well
as inspect
usually to avoid parched as well as
hungry chicks. Chick food is various than adult chicken food, and it can be found in both medicated as well as non-medicated varieties. Feed chick food for the
first 2 months, after that
switch over to a grower food (~ 17 %
protein) for one more 2 months,
and then to a somewhat
lower protein feed or a level feed
(if you have layers). Dirt Some chicks like to get a running start on taking
dust baths, while others will not take
up that activity up until they are
older. If you have the area in your chick
room, present a tray of sand or
filth for them to shower in.
Attention and love There are a couple of advantages to spending time with your chicks. To start
with, they will most
likely bond with you as well as
not run away as adults. Second, if you
examine your chicks daily as well as
see their actions, you could
catch disease or other troubles earlier. Watch out for wheezing, limping, or
various other unhealthy
indications. Be sure to
additionally check out
their poop, as looseness of the bowels could lead
to matted plumes and also clogged cloaca.
Last but not least, it is essential to keep an eye out for social concerns, such as the
smallest chick getting badgered. Empty nest syndrome So your
chicks are currently totally feathered
and its time for them to leave the
safety of your home
as well as move outside into a
coop. Look into our
area on chicken cages for more information
about cages and also
proper cage environments.
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