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 For Sale in
Opolis, Kansas
We have many Rare Chicken Breeds for sale in Opolis Kansas,
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. Opolis
Kansas also has poultry equipment for sale, game chickens for sale in
Opolis Kansas, 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 Opolis KS.
Baby Chickens Habitat in
Opolis, Kansas
Thumbing through a baby chickens for sale in Opolis Kansas
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
Opolis Kansas * 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 Opolis
Kansas * 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 Needs in
Opolis, Kansas
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
Opolis Kansas 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 Opolis,
Kansas Baby chicks are very
adorable as well as
tough to withstand,
however it's best to prepare for their
arrival before you get them. Prepare initially
by compiling not only the
proper materials, but
also the appropriate
understanding to take care of
them. Raising baby chicks is fairly
basic, you simply should provide them with the following: A tidy and also cozy
habitat Lots of food as well
as water Attention as well as
love Habitat Your environment could be a
simple box, aquarium,
cat provider, or guinea
porker cage. Line it with old towels as well as
blankets (without any loose
strings!) to begin, as well as after a
couple of weeks use straw over paper.
Keep in mind: Avoid utilizing just
paper or various other slipper
surfaces-- or your chicks legs could expand
misshapen. You additionally require
something to dish out food as well as
water in, such as a chicken feeder and also water
recipe from the feed store, or a pickle jar
cover for food as well as a pet bird water dispenser from a pet store. Additionally, as the chicks grow 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
give them with a warmth source.
This can be as easy as a 100 watt
light bulb in a reflective clamp style lamp from an equipment store, or an infrared reptile heat
light bulb likewise function extremely well (my
recommendation). Chicks need this
warmth 24/7 up until their downy fluff is
changed with feathers (which could occupy to two months). The freshly
hatched need a temperature level
in between 90 as well as 100 degrees,
and also every week this could
be lowered by
around 5 degrees or
so. The heat source should be on merely one side of the cage
to allow chicks a variety of
temperatures. The chicks are your ideal
thermostat- if they are concealing in the
contrary edge of your warmth
lamp, you should
reduce the temperature level. If
they are smothering each various other under the
warmth (not just cuddling),
you need to put some heat.
Housekeeping
Tidiness is crucial and also it maintains your chicks healthy and
balanced. Be sure to change
the bedding
usually and also
constantly supply tidy
food as well as water Food as well as water.
Chicks grow really fast
which calls for lots of clean
food and also water. Offer
sufficient in any way times and inspect
usually to prevent dehydrated as well as
starving chicks. Chick food is different compared
to adult chicken food, and it can be found in both medicated and non-medicated varieties. Feed chick food for the
first two months, then
change to a grower food (~ 17 %
healthy protein) for an additional 2 months,
and afterwards to a slightly
lower healthy protein feed or a layer feed
(if you have levels). Dirt Some chicks like to obtain a head start on taking
dirt baths, while others won't occupy that activity until they are
older. If you have the room in your chick
enclosure, present a tray of sand or
dust for them to wash in.
Interest and also love There are a
few advantages to spending quality time with your chicks. First of all, they will most
likely bond with you as well as
not run away as adults. Second, if you
analyze your chicks daily as well as
enjoy their actions, you could
catch illness or various
other issues previously. Keep an
eye out for hissing, limping, or
other harmful
indicators. Make certain to
also take a look at
their poop, as diarrhea can result in matted plumes and obstructed cloaca.
Finally, it is important to watch out for social problems, such as the
tiniest chick obtaining badgered. Empty nest disorder So your
chicks are now totally feathered
as well as its time for them to leave the
safety of your home
and also relocate outside right into a
coop. Have a look at our
area on chicken coops to read more
concerning coops as well as
correct cage habitats.
Baby Chickens BreedsBaby Chicks Mail Order More Posts Baby Chickens for Sale in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas Baby Chickens for Sale in Kincaid, Kansas Baby Chickens for Sale in Denison, Kansas Baby Chickens for Sale in Byron, Kansas Baby Chickens for Sale in Colwich, Kansas