Baby Chickens for Sale in Farmington, Illinois
Baby Chickens for Sale in Farmington, Illinois
6 Reasons to Keep Backyard Chickens
6 Reasons to Keep Backyard Chickens
Who would’ve thought that chickens would become the most popular pet in 2014?
Okay, so maybe chickens aren’t exactly the MOST popular pet…yet, but trust me, they will be soon. Give it five years and everybody will be walking their chickens on a leash in the mornings instead of walking their dogs.
Sorry, dogs. Learn how to lay eggs and maybe you’ll get to be the favorite again.
Have you ever wanted to raise chickens, but have been on the fence about it? Well, today’s the day you’ll stop going back and forth on that decision. Today’s the day to make the right choice for your family. And I’m 99% sure that choice will include purchasing some chickens.
6 Reasons to Keep Backyard Chickens
1. Chickens give you food.
Did you know that chickens lay eggs?! And did you know that YOU can eat those eggs?! It’s true! One chicken can lay one egg a day about 330 out of 365 days in the year. Not too shabby. Eggs are full of vitamins A, D, & E, as well as B1, B2, B6, & B12. Additionally, eggs provide folate, riboflavin, choline and the minerals Phosphorus, Calcium, Iron, Iodine, Selenium, & Zinc as well as the antioxidants lutein & zeaxanthin. Eggs also are a good source of omega 3 fatty acids, including DHA, EPA, ALA, and AA.
In addition to that, of 14 flocks across the United States, eggs that come from chicken who are allowed to roam on a yard and be in the sunlight (also called “pastured-raised”) have:
- 3 times MORE Vitamin A
- 2 times MORE Omega-3’s
- 7 times MORE Beta-carotene
- 6 times MORE Vitamin D
2. Feeding chickens is easy.
I literally spend about 5 minutes a day feeding & watering our chickens. Actually, I take that back. My KIDS spend about 5 minutes each day feeding & watering out chickens. Other than that, I don’t worry too much about them. We provide with a place to lay eggs, roost at night, & keep warm & dry. We give them fresh water and organic, GMO-free, canola & soy free grain.
Caring for chickens is incredibly easy because you can leave for vacation and just leave enough food & water out for them and they’ll be fine while you’re gone. Chickens are definitely low-maintenance pets.
3. Feeding chickens is inexpensive.
Regular feed will cost you about $11.00 for a 50 lb. bag. With the price of regular feed, a dozen eggs will cost you about 82 cents. Organic, GMO-free, canola & soy free feed will cost you about $24.00 for a 50 lb. bag and a dozen eggs will cost you about $1.75.
Paying $1.75 for 100% Organic, GMO-free, canola & soy free, pasture-raised eggs is an AMAZING deal!
You will have to factor in your start up costs. Baby chicks are about $2-$3 per chick and won’t start laying until around 6 months of age. You can purchase older chickens, but they cost more money, around $20.
As far as a coop goes, you can go as or as as you like. Just be sure it’s one that you can winterize, as my friend Claire from writes about in her .
4. Chickens are free pest control.
This is sustainable living at its finest. You definitely won’t have to worry about bugs at your house if you have chickens. They will eat ’em up before they can even make it inside your house. Free pest control is amazing.
In Arizona where I live, scorpions are a big problem. Chickens will eat scorpions if they come across them, but scorpions come out at night and chickens are out during the days, so it’s rare that their paths cross. Chickens are more likely to eat the scorpions food source (aka bugs), making the scorpions move elsewhere. Our scorpion population is a LOT lower than our neighbors. Yet another reason to keep chickens:)
5. Chickens are entertaining.
I don’t think I’ve laughed so hard as the first time I saw one of our chickens run across the yard full speed. It’s hilarious how they are interested in everything and recognize you as their friend with food. If you have children, then they’ll have an amazing time raising chickens and laughing while doing it!
6. Chickens are sustainable.
Chickens will start decreasing their egg production from 3 years old on. Last July there was an article titled, “Backyard chickens dumped at shelters when hipsters can’t cope, critics say“. The article criticizes those who choose to have backyard chickens and then don’t know what to do with them when they no longer can lay eggs.
My opinion is when chickens are no longer able to lay eggs, they make a perfect broth or soup. Older chickens tend to be tougher, so they are best for this purpose. They would also make a great meal for a dog or cat. Our ancestors wouldn’t allow their chickens to live past their egg-laying days, it simply wasn’t sustainable. We love our chickens and care for them holistically and let them enjoy a full life, but we use them for food, and we have no issues with butchering them when the time comes. It’s the circle of life:)
Want to learn more about Raising Chickens?
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I love this book. The images are gorgeous, the coop ideas make me envious, and the advice is genius. This book even helped me stretch my feed even further by a fermentation process & I was able to save 50 cents per dozen on my eggs! Woohoo!
If you want to get chickens and do it the right way from the beginning, then buy this book. You won’t regret it!.
Psst. Wanna win a copy of Oh Lardy’s Guide to Keeping Backyard Chickens?
Today I’m giving ONE COPY away for free! All you have to do is enter the giveaway below and, Shabam! You’re entered to win. Enter now!
Baby Chickens Raising in Farmington, Illinois
We have many Rare Chicken Breeds for sale in Farmington Illinois, 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. Farmington Illinois also has poultry equipment for sale, game chickens for sale in Farmington Illinois, 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 Farmington IL.Baby Chicks Male in Farmington, Illinois
Thumbing through a baby chickens for sale in Farmington Illinois 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
Farmington Illinois * 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 Farmington
Illinois * 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 Order Online in Farmington, Illinois
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 Farmington Illinois 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 Farmington, Illinois Baby chicks are very charming and also difficult to resist, yet it's finest to plan for their arrival before you get them. Prepare initially by gathering not just the right products, however additionally the appropriate knowledge to take care of them. Raising baby chicks is reasonably basic, you merely need to offer them with the following: A clean and cozy environment Lots of food and also water Attention and love Environment Your environment can be an easy box, aquarium, feline service provider, or guinea pig cage. Line it with old towels and blankets (without loose strings!) to start, and after a few weeks use straw over newspaper. Note: Avoid utilizing just newspaper or various other slipper surface areas-- or your chicks legs can grow malformed. You also require something to dish out food and also water in, such as a chicken feeder and water meal from the feed shop, or a pickle jar lid for food and a family pet bird water dispenser from an animal store. Additionally, as the chicks get older you can present a perch right into the habitat to get them trained on perching. Heat To keep your chicks heat you need to supply them with a heat 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 additionally work extremely well (my recommendation). Chicks need this heat 24/7 till their downy fluff is replaced with feathers (which could take up to 2 months). The freshly hatched need a temperature in between 90 as well as 100 levels, and also every week this can be lowered by around 5 levels approximately. The heat resource need to be on simply one side of the cage to enable chicks a range of temperatures. The chicks are your best thermometer- if they are concealing in the opposite edge of your warmth light, you have to lower the temperature. If they are surrounding each various other under the warmth (not just snuggling), you have to add some heat. House cleaning Tidiness is key and also it keeps your chicks healthy and balanced. Be sure to alter the bedding often and also constantly give clean food and water Food as well as water. Chicks expand quite quick which needs plenty of tidy food and water. Provide sufficient at all times and check usually to prevent parched and hungry chicks. Chick food is different compared to grown-up chicken food, as well as it can be found in both medicated and also non-medicated selections. Feed chick food for the initial two months, after that change to a grower food (~ 17 % protein) for another 2 months, then to a somewhat lower protein feed or a layer feed (if you have layers). Dirt Some chicks want to get a running start on taking dirt baths, while others will not take up that activity up until they are older. If you have the room in your chick unit, introduce a tray of sand or filth for them to shower in. Attention and also love There are a few benefits to spending time with your chicks. Firstly, they will certainly probably bond with you and also not run away as adults. Second, if you analyze your chicks daily and also view their actions, you can capture ailment or various other issues previously. Watch out for hissing, hopping, or other harmful signs. Make sure to additionally take a look at their poop, as diarrhea can lead to matted feathers and clogged cloaca. Finally, it is very important to look out for social problems, such as the littlest chick getting badgered. Empty nest syndrome So your chicks are currently completely feathery and also its time for them to leave the safety of your house as well as move outside right into a coop. Look into our area on chicken coops for more information about coops as well as appropriate coop environments.Baby Chicks Near Me Baby Chickens By Mail
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