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 Incubator in
Bonita, California
We have many Rare Chicken Breeds for sale in Bonita California,
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. Bonita
California also has poultry equipment for sale, game chickens for sale in
Bonita California, 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 Bonita CA.
Baby Chicks Online in
Bonita, California
Thumbing through a baby chickens for sale in Bonita California
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
Bonita California * 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 Bonita
California * 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 As
Pets in
Bonita, California
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
Bonita California 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 Bonita,
California Baby chicks are really
adorable as well as
tough to stand up to,
however it's finest to plan for their
arrival before you obtain them. Prepare initially
by compiling not only the
proper products, but
additionally the correct
understanding to look after
them. Raising baby chicks is reasonably
simple, you merely need
to offer them with the following: A tidy and warm
environment A lot of food and water Focus and
love Habitat Your habitat could be a basic box, fish tank,
cat service provider, or guinea
pig cage. Line it with old towels and
coverings (without loosened
strings!) to begin, as well as after a few weeks utilize straw over paper.
Keep in mind: Avoid using just
paper or various other slipper
surfaces-- or your chicks legs could grow
malformed. You likewise need
something to provide food as well as
water in, such as a chicken feeder as well as water
recipe from the feed shop, or a pickle jar
cover for food as well as a pet bird water dispenser from a family pet shop. Also, as the chicks get
older you could introduce a perch
into the environment to obtain them
trained on setting down. Warmth To
maintain your chicks warm you have to
supply them with a warmth resource.
This can be as basic as a 100 watt
light bulb in a reflective clamp style lamp from a
hardware shop, or an infrared reptile heat
bulb also function effectively (my
suggestion). Chicks need this
warmth 24/7 up until their downy fluff is
changed with feathers (which could take up to 2 months). The recently
hatched out require a temperature
between 90 as well as 100 degrees,
and weekly this could
be reduced by
roughly 5 levels or
so. The heat resource must get on just one side of the cage
to allow chicks a range of
temperatures. The chicks are your ideal
thermometer- if they are hiding in the
contrary edge of your heat
lamp, you need to
reduce the temperature. If
they are smothering each other under the
heat (not merely snuggling),
you should add some warmth.
Home cleaning
Sanitation is crucial as
well as it keeps your chicks healthy. Make sure to transform
the bed linens
typically as well as
constantly offer tidy
food and also water Food as well as water.
Chicks grow quite fast
which calls for plenty of clean
food and also water. Give
enough at all times and examine
often to prevent dehydrated and also
hungry chicks. Chick food is various compared
to adult chicken food, as well as it can be found in both medicated as well as non-medicated varieties. Feed chick food for the
initial two months, then
change to a grower food (~ 17 %
protein) for one more 2 months,
and after that to a slightly
reduced healthy protein feed or a layer feed
(if you have layers). Soil Some chicks want
to obtain a head start on taking
filth bathrooms, while others will not use up that activity up until they are
older. If you have the space in your chick
room, introduce a tray of sand or
dirt for them to wash in.
Interest and also love There are a
few advantages to spending quality time with your chicks. First off, they will more than likely bond with you and also
not escape as adults. Second, if you
examine your chicks daily as well as
watch their actions, you can
capture ailment or other issues previously. Keep an
eye out for hissing, limping, or
various other undesirable
indications. Make certain to
likewise consider
their poop, as diarrhea can cause matted plumes and clogged cloaca.
Lastly, it is necessary to keep an eye out for social problems, such as the
tiniest chick getting teased. Vacant nest syndrome So your
chicks are currently fully feathery
and also its time for them to leave the
safety and security of your house
and relocate outside right into a
coop. Have a look at our
area on chicken coops to learn more
about coops and also
appropriate cage habitats.
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