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 Food in
Versailles, Kentucky
We have many Rare Chicken Breeds for sale in Versailles Kentucky,
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. Versailles
Kentucky also has poultry equipment for sale, game chickens for sale in
Versailles Kentucky, 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 Versailles KY.
Baby Chickens For Sale in
Versailles, Kentucky
Thumbing through a baby chickens for sale in Versailles Kentucky
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
Versailles Kentucky * 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 Versailles
Kentucky * 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.
Raising Baby Chickens in
Versailles, Kentucky
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
Versailles Kentucky 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 Versailles,
Kentucky Baby chicks are quite
cute as well as
tough to stand up to,
yet it's ideal to plan for their
arrival prior to you obtain them. Prepare first
by gathering not only the
proper materials, however
additionally the correct
knowledge to take care of
them. Raising baby chicks is fairly
basic, you simply need
to supply them with the following: A tidy as well as cozy
habitat A lot of food and water Attention and also
love Habitat Your environment can be a straightforward box, aquarium,
feline provider, or guinea
pig cage. Line it with old towels and
coverings (without loosened
strings!) to start, and also after a few weeks utilize straw over newspaper.
Keep in mind: Avoid utilizing only
paper or other slipper
surface areas-- or your chicks legs could grow
misshapen. You likewise need
something to serve up food and
water in, such as a chicken feeder and water
recipe from the feed shop, or a pickle jar
cover for food and a pet dog bird water dispenser from a family pet shop. Additionally, as the chicks get
older you can present a perch
into the environment to obtain them
educated on setting down. Warmth To
keep your chicks warm you need to
supply them with a warmth source.
This could be as straightforward as a 100 watt
light bulb in a reflective clamp style lamp from a
hardware shop, or an infrared reptile warmth
light bulb also work effectively (my
referral). Chicks need this
warmth 24/7 until their downy fluff is
replaced with plumes (which could use
up to 2 months). The newly
hatched out need a temperature level
between 90 and also 100 degrees,
and every week this can
be reduced by
approximately 5 degrees or
so. The heat resource need to get on simply one side of the cage
to permit chicks an array of
temperatures. The chicks are your best
thermostat- if they are concealing in the
other corner of your heat
light, you have to
reduce the temperature. If
they are smothering each various other under the
heat (not just cuddling),
you have to put some warmth.
Housekeeping
Sanitation is essential and also it keeps your chicks healthy and
balanced. Make certain to alter
the bedding
commonly and
constantly offer tidy
food as well as water Food as well as water.
Chicks grow quite quickly
which requires plenty of tidy
food and also water. Supply
sufficient at all times and examine
usually to avoid parched and also
hungry chicks. Chick food is different than adult chicken food, and it is available in both medicated and
also non-medicated ranges. Feed chick food for the
first 2 months, then
change to a raiser food (~ 17 %
protein) for one more 2 months,
and then to a somewhat
reduced healthy protein feed or a level feed
(if you have layers). Dirt Some chicks like to get a running start on taking
dust baths, while others will not take
up that task till they are
older. If you have the area in your chick
room, introduce a tray of sand or
filth for them to wash in.
Focus and love There are a
few benefits to spending quality time with your chicks. First off, they will most
likely bond with you as well as
not escape as grownups. Second, if you
analyze your chicks daily and
watch their behavior, you can
catch ailment or various
other troubles previously. Keep an
eye out for wheezing, limping, or
various other undesirable
signs. Make sure to
additionally consider
their poop, as looseness of the bowels can bring about matted plumes and also clogged cloaca.
Finally, it is very
important to keep an eye out for social issues, such as the
smallest chick obtaining picked
on. Empty nest syndrome So your
chicks are currently fully feathered
and its time for them to leave the
security of your house
and move outside into a
coop. Have a look at our
section on chicken cages to get more information
concerning coops and
proper coop habitats.
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