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 Coop in
Jefferson, Louisiana
We have many Rare Chicken Breeds for sale in Jefferson Louisiana,
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. Jefferson
Louisiana also has poultry equipment for sale, game chickens for sale in
Jefferson Louisiana, 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 Jefferson LA.
Baby Chicks Care in
Jefferson, Louisiana
Thumbing through a baby chickens for sale in Jefferson Louisiana
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
Jefferson Louisiana * 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 Jefferson
Louisiana * 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 Habitat in
Jefferson, Louisiana
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
Jefferson Louisiana 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 Jefferson,
Louisiana Baby chicks are very
cute and
difficult to withstand,
but it's finest to prepare for their
arrival prior to you get them. Prepare first
by gathering not just the
correct products, but
likewise the correct
expertise to look after
them. Raising baby chicks is relatively
easy, you simply should give them with the following: A tidy and also warm and comfortable
habitat A lot of food as well
as water Attention as well as
love Habitat Your environment could be a
simple box, fish tank,
cat service provider, or guinea
pig cage. Line it with old towels as well as
coverings (without loosened
strings!) to start, and after a
couple of weeks utilize straw over paper.
Note: Avoid using only
paper or other sandal
surfaces-- or your chicks legs can grow
malformed. You additionally require
something to serve up food and
water in, such as a chicken feeder as well as water
meal from the feed store, or a pickle jar
cover for food and a family
pet 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. Heat To
keep your chicks heat you have to
offer them with a heat resource.
This could be as basic as a 100 watt
light bulb in a reflective clamp design light from an equipment shop, or an infrared reptile warmth
light bulb likewise work extremely well (my
recommendation). Chicks need this
warmth 24/7 till their downy fluff is
replaced with feathers (which could occupy to 2 months). The freshly
hatched require a temperature
between 90 and 100 levels,
and also weekly this can
be decreased by
about 5 degrees approximately. The heat resource ought
to get on simply one side of the cage
to allow chicks an array of
temperature levels. The chicks are your ideal
thermometer- if they are concealing in the
contrary corner of your heat
lamp, you need to
lower the temperature level. If
they are smothering each various other under the
heat (not just snuggling),
you should include some warmth.
Housekeeping
Cleanliness is crucial as
well as it maintains your chicks healthy. Make certain to transform
the bedding
usually and also
consistently offer tidy
food and also water Food and also water.
Chicks expand very quickly
which requires plenty of clean
food and water. Supply
sufficient whatsoever times and also examine
often to
stop parched and
hungry chicks. Chick food is various compared
to grown-up chicken food, and also it can be found in both medicated as well as non-medicated varieties. Feed chick food for the
initial 2 months, then
switch to a grower food (~ 17 %
protein) for one more 2 months,
and after that to a slightly
reduced protein feed or a level feed
(if you have layers). Dirt Some chicks want
to get a head start on taking
dirt baths, while others won't use up that activity up until they are
older. If you have the room in your chick
enclosure, introduce a tray of sand or
filth for them to shower in.
Interest and love There are a couple of benefits to spending quality time with your chicks. Firstly, they will certainly most
likely bond with you and
not flee as adults. Second, if you
analyze your chicks daily as well as
enjoy their actions, you could
capture ailment or other troubles earlier. Watch out for wheezing, hopping, or
other undesirable
indications. Make certain to
additionally consider
their poop, as diarrhea can lead
to matted plumes and stopped up cloaca.
Finally, it is very
important to watch out for social issues, such as the
tiniest chick getting picked
on. Vacant nest syndrome So your
chicks are currently completely feathery
as well as its time for them to leave the
safety and security of your home
and also relocate outside into a
coop. Have a look at our
part on chicken cages to get more information
concerning cages and also
correct cage habitats.
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