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 Outside in
Selbyville, Delaware
We have many Rare Chicken Breeds for sale in Selbyville Delaware,
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. Selbyville
Delaware also has poultry equipment for sale, game chickens for sale in
Selbyville Delaware, 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 Selbyville DE.
Baby Chickens Bedding in
Selbyville, Delaware
Thumbing through a baby chickens for sale in Selbyville Delaware
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
Selbyville Delaware * 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 Selbyville
Delaware * 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 Chickens Breeds in
Selbyville, Delaware
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
Selbyville Delaware 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 Selbyville,
Delaware Baby chicks are extremely
adorable and
challenging to withstand,
however it's finest to plan for their
arrival before you obtain them. Prepare first
by collecting not only the
appropriate products, however
likewise the correct
understanding to care for
them. Raising baby chicks is reasonably
basic, you simply need
to offer them with the following: A tidy and cozy
environment A lot of food as well
as water Interest and
love Environment Your habitat could be a basic box, fish tank,
feline carrier, or guinea
pig cage. Line it with old towels as well as
blankets (with no loose
strings!) to begin, as well as after a few weeks make use of straw over newspaper.
Keep in mind: Avoid utilizing only
paper or other sandal
surfaces-- or your chicks legs could grow
malformed. You likewise need
something to provide food and also
water in, such as a chicken feeder and also water
dish from the feed shop, or a pickle jar
cover for food as well as a pet dog bird water dispenser from a
pet dog shop. Also, as the chicks grow older you could present a perch
right into the environment to get them
trained on perching. Warmth To
maintain your chicks heat you need to
offer them with a heat source.
This can be as straightforward as a 100 watt
light bulb in a reflective clamp design lamp from a
hardware store, or an infrared reptile warmth
bulb additionally function very
well (my
referral). Chicks require this
heat 24/7 up until their downy fluff is
changed with plumes (which can use
up to 2 months). The recently
hatched out need a temperature level
between 90 and also 100 degrees,
as well as each week this could
be reduced by
around 5 degrees or
so. The warmth resource need to be on merely one side of the cage
to permit chicks a range of
temperature levels. The chicks are your ideal
thermostat- if they are concealing in the
other corner of your warmth
lamp, you should
reduce the temperature level. If
they are smothering each various other under the
heat (not simply curling up),
you have to add some warmth.
Housekeeping
Sanitation is key and also it maintains your chicks healthy. Be sure to alter
the bed linen
commonly and
always give tidy
food and also water Food and water.
Chicks grow really fast
which requires lots of tidy
food and also water. Give
enough at all times as well
as inspect
commonly to avoid dehydrated as well as
hungry chicks. Chick food is various than grown-up chicken food, and it can be found in both medicated and non-medicated varieties. Feed chick food for the
initial 2 months, after that
change to a grower food (~ 17 %
healthy protein) for an additional 2 months,
and afterwards to a slightly
reduced protein feed or a level feed
(if you have layers). Dirt Some chicks prefer to get a running start on taking
dirt baths, while others won't occupy that task up until they are
older. If you have the space in your chick
unit, introduce a tray of sand or
filth for them to shower in.
Attention as well as love There are a
few benefits to spending time with your chicks. First of all, they will certainly most
likely bond with you and
not run away as adults. Second, if you
analyze your chicks daily and also
enjoy their habits, you could
catch health problem or various
other troubles previously. Watch out for hissing, limping, or
various other unhealthy
indications. Make certain to
also check out
their poop, as diarrhea can lead
to matted feathers and also obstructed cloaca.
Lastly, it is important to watch out for social problems, such as the
smallest chick obtaining badgered. Vacant nest syndrome So your
chicks are currently fully feathered
and also its time for them to leave the
safety of your house
as well as move outside into a cage. Have a look at our
area on chicken cages for more information
regarding cages and also
appropriate coop habitats.
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