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 Order in
Farnhamville, Iowa
We have many Rare Chicken Breeds for sale in Farnhamville Iowa,
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. Farnhamville
Iowa also has poultry equipment for sale, game chickens for sale in
Farnhamville Iowa, 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 Farnhamville IA.
Baby Chickens And Heat Lamps in
Farnhamville, Iowa
Thumbing through a baby chickens for sale in Farnhamville Iowa
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
Farnhamville Iowa * 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 Farnhamville
Iowa * 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 Types in
Farnhamville, Iowa
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
Farnhamville Iowa 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 Farnhamville,
Iowa Baby chicks are quite
charming and also
hard to withstand,
however it's best to prepare for their
arrival before you get them. Prepare initially
by gathering not just the
proper materials, however
likewise the proper
understanding to look after
them. Raising baby chicks is relatively
easy, you just should offer them with the following: A tidy as well as warm
environment Lots of food and also water Focus as well as
love Environment Your environment could be a straightforward box, fish tank,
cat carrier, or guinea
porker cage. Line it with old towels and
blankets (without loosened
strings!) to begin, and also after a
couple of weeks utilize straw over newspaper.
Keep in mind: Avoid making use of just
newspaper or other slipper
surface areas-- or your chicks legs could grow
misshapen. You additionally need
something to dish out food and also
water in, such as a chicken feeder as well as water
dish from the feed store, or a pickle jar
lid for food and also an animal bird water dispenser from a pet store. Additionally, as the chicks get
older you can introduce a perch
into the environment to obtain them
educated on perching. Warmth To
keep your chicks heat you should
supply them with a warmth source.
This could be as basic as a 100 watt
light bulb in a reflective clamp design light from a
hardware shop, or an infrared reptile warmth
bulb also work effectively (my
suggestion). Chicks need this
warmth 24/7 up until their downy fluff is
replaced with feathers (which could take up to two months). The newly
hatched require a temperature level
between 90 as well as 100 levels,
and also weekly this can
be lowered by
about 5 levels approximately. The heat source need to be on just one side of the cage
to allow chicks a variety of
temperature levels. The chicks are your ideal
thermometer- if they are concealing in the
opposite corner of your warmth
lamp, you should
reduce the temperature level. If
they are surrounding each various other under the
heat (not just snuggling),
you should include some heat.
Housekeeping
Sanitation is key and also it keeps your chicks healthy. Be sure to transform
the bedding
often as well as
consistently offer tidy
food as well as water Food as well as water.
Chicks grow really fast
which needs lots of clean
food and water. Supply
enough at all times and also check
usually to prevent parched and
starving chicks. Chick food is different compared
to adult chicken food, and it comes
in both medicated and non-medicated varieties. Feed chick food for the
very first two months, then
change to a grower food (~ 17 %
protein) for one more 2 months,
and after that to a somewhat
lower protein feed or a level feed
(if you have levels). Soil Some chicks like to obtain a head start on taking
dust baths, while others will not occupy that task up until they are
older. If you have the space in your chick
enclosure, introduce a tray of sand or
filth for them to shower in.
Interest and also love There are a couple of benefits to hanging
out with your chicks. Firstly, they will more than likely bond with you and
not run away as grownups. Second, if you
examine your chicks daily as well as
enjoy their behavior, you could
catch disease or various
other problems earlier. Watch out for wheezing, limping, or
other harmful
signs. Make certain to
also check out
their poop, as looseness of the bowels could cause matted plumes as well
as stopped up cloaca.
Finally, it is very
important to watch out for social problems, such as the
tiniest chick getting picked
on. Empty nest disorder So your
chicks are now completely feathered
and also its time for them to leave the
safety of your house
and also move outside into a cage. Have a look at our
part on chicken coops to get more information
concerning cages and also
appropriate coop habitats.
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