Baby Chickens for Sale in West Liberty, Illinois
Baby Chickens for Sale in West Liberty, Illinois
Should We Adopt Chickens?
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 Chickens And Heat Lamps in West Liberty, Illinois
We have many Rare Chicken Breeds for sale in West Liberty 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. West Liberty Illinois also has poultry equipment for sale, game chickens for sale in West Liberty 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 West Liberty IL.Baby Chicks Online in West Liberty, Illinois
Thumbing through a baby chickens for sale in West Liberty 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
West Liberty 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 West Liberty
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 And Ducks in West Liberty, 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 West Liberty 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 West Liberty, Illinois Baby chicks are extremely adorable as well as hard to withstand, however it's ideal to plan for their arrival before you obtain them. Prepare first by compiling not just the appropriate materials, but also the proper knowledge to look after them. Raising baby chicks is fairly straightforward, you just should give them with the following: A tidy and warm environment Plenty of food and water Interest and love Habitat Your habitat can be an easy box, fish tank, pet cat service provider, or guinea pig cage. Line it with old towels as well as coverings (with no loose strings!) to begin, and also after a few weeks use straw over paper. Note: Avoid utilizing just paper or other slipper surfaces-- or your chicks legs can grow misshapen. You likewise need something to provide food and water in, such as a chicken feeder and water recipe from the feed store, or a pickle container lid for food and a pet dog bird water dispenser from a pet dog store. Likewise, as the chicks grow older you can introduce a perch into the environment to get them trained on perching. Heat To keep your chicks heat you have to offer them with a heat source. This could be as straightforward as a 100 watt light bulb in a reflective clamp design lamp from an equipment store, or an infrared reptile warmth light bulb additionally work very well (my suggestion). Chicks need this heat 24/7 up until their downy fluff is replaced with feathers (which could use up to 2 months). The newly hatched need a temperature between 90 as well as 100 levels, and also every week this could be decreased by about 5 degrees or so. The heat source should be on just one side of the cage to enable chicks a range of temperatures. The chicks are your ideal thermostat- if they are hiding in the opposite corner of your warmth lamp, you have to lower the temperature level. If they are surrounding each other under the heat (not merely cuddling), you need to add some warmth. Housekeeping Tidiness is key and it keeps your chicks healthy. Make sure to alter the bedding typically and also consistently supply clean food as well as water Food and also water. Chicks grow extremely fast which needs plenty of clean food as well as water. Offer sufficient whatsoever times and examine typically to prevent parched and hungry chicks. Chick food is various compared to adult chicken food, and it is available in both medicated and non-medicated ranges. Feed chick food for the initial 2 months, then change to a raiser food (~ 17 % protein) for another 2 months, and after that to a somewhat reduced protein feed or a level feed (if you have layers). Soil Some chicks like to get a running start on taking filth bathrooms, while others will not take up that task up until they are older. If you have the space in your chick unit, present a tray of sand or filth for them to bathe in. Attention as well as love There are a couple of advantages to spending quality time with your chicks. First of all, they will most likely bond with you as well as not flee as grownups. Second, if you analyze your chicks daily and see their behavior, you can catch health problem or various other problems previously. Watch out for hissing, hopping, or other unhealthy signs. Be sure to also consider their poop, as diarrhea can lead to matted feathers and obstructed cloaca. Last but not least, it is necessary to look out for social problems, such as the tiniest chick obtaining picked on. Vacant nest syndrome So your chicks are currently totally feathery and its time for them to leave the safety and security of your residence as well as relocate outside into a cage. Look into our section on chicken coops for more information about coops and also appropriate coop environments.Baby Chicks As Pets Baby Chickens And Ducks
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