Getting started with your chickens can sometimes seem expensive, however there are options for cheap .
If you are at all familiar with raising chickens, you will understand the importance of providing chicken nesting boxes for your hens.The nesting boxes will give your hens a clean, safe place in which to lay their eggs. They not only provide your laying hens with needed privacy, but also make it easier for you to find and collect the eggs.
Cheap Improvised Chicken Nesting Boxes
Your chickens do not require anything fancy and you will only need one nesting box for every 3-4 laying hens. You may even be able to use items from around the house to make cheap chicken nesting boxes. Such items as cat litter boxes, plastic milk crates, or large plastic bowls with one side cut out will do nicely and make practical and cheap chicken nesting boxes. Other ideas include using old plastic laundry baskets with one side cut out, wooden crates, or plastic buckets placed on their sides. Always be certain to properly sanitize the items to be used before using them as chicken nesting boxes. Never use any container that has ever stored anything toxic or chemical related either, to ensure the safety of your chickens.
Building Chicken Nesting Boxes
Other cheap chicken nesting boxes include the make it yourself variety. Standard for most chicken breeds measure 9-10″ high by 12″ wide, by about 12″ deep. For larger chicken breeds, add about 2 inches to each measurement for an accurate sized nesting box. You can construct cheap chicken nesting boxes by using leftover plywood from another project. When creating your chicken nesting box plans, allow for an opening about 10” high for the laying hens to enter the nesting box. Keep a wooden edge about 2” high across the bottom to help keep litter or bedding material in place and to prevent eggs from rolling out and breaking. Make a 45 degree pitched roof to discourage other chickens from sitting on top of the chicken nesting box.
Chicken Nesting Boxes for Sale
You may also wish to find chicken nesting boxes for sale. There are some great deals to be found on used chicken nesting boxes as well and new nesting boxes.
-Amazon offers a few at prices of around $15-$20. You could also look at the photos of the nesting boxes provided and use it as a reference for making your own wooden chicken nesting boxes.
-Ebay has some very elaborate offerings which are priced at over $300, not exactly cheap! Ebay sometimes also has chicken nesting box plans for sale for a few dollars, as well as heavy duty mats you can place in the bottom of the chicken nesting box that can be taken out washed and will last a lifetime.
-Craiglist usually has some deals on . I have seen these range from $10-$100 for 6 hole galvanized chicken nesting boxes. Keep an eye on Craigslist in your area and be ready to jump on the opportunities as they sale quickly.
Final Thoughts
Providing adequate nesting boxes for your chickens does not have to require a huge investment in time or money. You can make these nesting boxes yourself for very little expense or be frugal and find some good deals. Keep your hens happy and save money in the process while reusing something that might otherwise have been discarded.
Baby Chicks Coop in
Rockford, Alabama
We have many Rare Chicken Breeds for sale in Rockford 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. Rockford
Alabama also has poultry equipment for sale, game chickens for sale in
Rockford 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 Rockford AL.
Baby Chickens And
Baby Ducks in
Rockford, Alabama
Thumbing through a baby chickens for sale in Rockford 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
Rockford 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 Rockford
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 Online in
Rockford, 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
Rockford 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 Rockford,
Alabama Baby chicks are very
charming as well as
challenging to withstand,
yet it's best to prepare for their
arrival prior to you obtain them. Prepare initially
by collecting not only the
proper products, yet
additionally the proper
knowledge to take care of
them. Raising baby chicks is relatively
straightforward, you simply should offer them with the following: A tidy as well as warm and comfortable
habitat Lots of food and also water Focus and
love Habitat Your environment can be a
simple box, aquarium,
pet cat service provider, or guinea
porker cage. Line it with old towels and
blankets (without loose
strings!) to begin, as well as after a few weeks utilize straw over newspaper.
Note: Avoid utilizing just
paper or various other sandal
surfaces-- or your chicks legs could expand
misshapen. You likewise require
something to dish out food and
water in, such as a chicken feeder as well as water
recipe from the feed store, or a pickle jar
cover for food and a pet dog bird water dispenser from an animal shop. Also, as the chicks grow older you can introduce a perch
right into the environment to get them
trained on setting down. Warmth To
keep your chicks heat you need to
offer them with a warmth resource.
This could be as straightforward as a 100 watt
light bulb in a reflective clamp style lamp from a
hardware shop, or an infrared reptile warmth
bulb also function effectively (my
recommendation). Chicks require this
warmth 24/7 up until their downy fluff is
replaced with feathers (which can use
up to two months). The newly
hatched need a temperature level
in between 90 and also 100 degrees,
and also weekly this could
be lowered by
approximately 5 degrees approximately. The heat resource should get on simply one side of the cage
to allow chicks an array of
temperatures. The chicks are your best
thermostat- if they are hiding in the
opposite edge of your warmth
light, you should
lower the temperature level. If
they are surrounding each other under the
heat (not merely cuddling),
you should add some warmth.
Home cleaning
Sanitation is vital as
well as it maintains your chicks healthy and
balanced. Make certain to transform
the bed linens
typically and
always supply clean
food and water Food and also water.
Chicks grow very fast
which calls for a lot of tidy
food and water. Supply
enough in any way times and also examine
frequently to avoid parched and also
hungry chicks. Chick food is different than adult chicken food, and also it is available in both medicated and non-medicated selections. Feed chick food for the
first 2 months, then
switch over to a raiser food (~ 17 %
protein) for an additional 2 months,
and then to a slightly
lower protein feed or a layer feed
(if you have levels). Dirt Some chicks prefer to get a running start on taking
dirt baths, while others will not occupy that activity until they are
older. If you have the room in your chick
unit, introduce a tray of sand or
dust for them to shower in.
Focus and also love There are a
few benefits to spending time with your chicks. To start
with, they will certainly probably bond with you and also
not flee as grownups. Second, if you
analyze your chicks daily as well as
see their actions, you can
capture disease or various
other troubles earlier. Keep an
eye out for wheezing, hopping, or
other unhealthy
indications. Make sure to
additionally look at
their poop, as looseness of the bowels could cause matted feathers and also blocked cloaca.
Last but not least, it is important to look out
for social issues, such as the
smallest chick obtaining badgered. Vacant nest syndrome So your
chicks are currently completely feathered
and its time for them to leave the
security of your home
and move outside right into a cage. Take a look at our
section on chicken coops to find out
more
concerning coops and
correct cage environments.
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