Baby Chickens for Sale in Barnstable, Massachusetts
Baby Chickens for Sale in Barnstable, Massachusetts
Raising Meat Chickens Q&A (Part 1)
It was recently brought to my attention that, although I chronicled our journey raising meat chickens last year, I didn’t answer many of the burning questions people have about raising broilers. So between the comments on my previous posts and the questions people asked on our Facebook page, I’ve compiled a list of questions and answers regarding how we raised our meat chickens. (P.S. we loved the process and the meat so much that I have a new batch of birds chirping away in my basement as I write this!)
Questions & Answers
How many chickens should I start with? Of course this depends on your circumstances. We started with 25 because we could house them in a coop we already had, but weren’t using. Also, there was a slight price break at the hatchery if you ordered 25 or more.
Which hatchery did you buy your birds from? We ordered from . I highly recommend choosing a hatchery that is at least vaguely near you. Our birds arrived in 1-2 days and were in great shape. (For layers, I prefer to source from local chicken keeping friends who like to hatch chicks, but no one seems to do this with broilers in my area.)
What do you feed them? I wish I could tell you that I had a great source for organic feed here in Alabama, but the truth is that it is hard to find and very expensive, so we stick with feed that is at least and sold at our nearby mom & pop feed store. I feed the chicks one 50 lb. bag of chick starter feed, and when that is gone, I switch them to a “grower developer” feed for the rest of their days. Since their only job is to grow, I keep the feeders full at all times. I also supplement them with grass, weeds and other greenery from early on so that they develop a taste for it early on.
What about water? I use a 1 gallon *affiliate link* in the brooder, and I fill twice a day (at minimum) they go through water fast and you never want them to run out! I like to add a splash of *affiliate link* to each jug of water, which is good for the chickens’ digestion and helps ward off worms. When they leave the brooder, I begin using a 5 gallon bucket fitted with *affiliate link*. (Yes, the term “chicken nipples” is funny. Go ahead and giggle!)
How do you set up a brooder for that many birds? With the first batch of broilers, I set them up in the large plastic tote that I usually use for brooding. They quickly outgrew it, however, so I went to the store and bought the largest plastic baby pool I could find. I filled it with pine shavings and topped it with chicken wire. It’s not fancy, but it works! I add the 1 gallon plastic waterer (mentioned above) and 2 of these *affiliate link*. Yes, technically, one should do the job, since there is a hole for each chicken, but trust me, by the end of week 1, they eat so much you will need two feeder, or you will be filling your feeder non-stop.
Will I need a heat lamp? Well, you will need some way to keep the chicks warm. A heat lamp that is VERY securely attached is a good option, as is the . As for red vs. white heat lamp bulbs, I don’t really have a preference. I usually buy white ones because they are cheaper. It is my understanding that the red bulbs help to protect chicks in crowded conditions from pecking. As long as they have plenty of room, I think either is fine.
How long do they stay in the brooder? My first batch only stayed in for two weeks, however it was summer, so it was plenty warm for them. It is still very cold here in Alabama (off and on, at least) so my latest batch will probably stay in the basement for awhile still. They never really get “fully feathered,” so I can’t use the same metric that I would use with layers.
OK, it’s time for me to go milk Beulah! I’ll be back with more questions and answers soon. Until then, feel free to leave your questions in the comments! I’ll do my best to answer everything either there or in a future post!
Update! You can now read and of our Q&A!
If you like this post, you might also enjoy my . And don’t forget to sign up for Beulah’s mooooooosletter so you don’t miss future installments of this series!
***This post contains affiliate links. A small percentage of the purchase price of items bought here will go toward keeping this blog up and running and food in Beulah’s bowl, so thanks!***
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Baby Chicks Home in Barnstable, Massachusetts
We have many Rare Chicken Breeds for sale in Barnstable Massachusetts, 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. Barnstable Massachusetts also has poultry equipment for sale, game chickens for sale in Barnstable Massachusetts, 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 Barnstable MA.Baby Chicks Coop in Barnstable, Massachusetts
Thumbing through a baby chickens for sale in Barnstable Massachusetts 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
Barnstable Massachusetts * 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 Barnstable
Massachusetts * 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 Baby Chickens in Barnstable, Massachusetts
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 Barnstable Massachusetts 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 Barnstable, Massachusetts Baby chicks are really adorable and also tough to stand up to, however it's best to prepare for their arrival prior to you get them. Prepare first by compiling not only the right products, yet additionally the appropriate knowledge to take care of them. Raising baby chicks is reasonably simple, you merely should offer them with the following: A clean as well as warm and comfortable habitat A lot of food and water Attention and also love Environment Your habitat could be a straightforward box, fish tank, pet cat provider, or guinea porker cage. Line it with old towels as well as blankets (with no loose strings!) to start, and after a couple of weeks utilize straw over newspaper. Note: Avoid utilizing only paper or other slipper surface areas-- or your chicks legs can grow malformed. You likewise need something to dish out food and water in, such as a chicken feeder and water recipe from the feed shop, or a pickle container cover for food and a pet bird water dispenser from an animal store. Also, as the chicks get older you could present a perch into the environment to obtain them educated on setting down. Heat To keep your chicks warm you need to provide them with a heat source. This could be as basic as a 100 watt light bulb in a reflective clamp style lamp from an equipment store, or an infrared reptile heat light bulb likewise work very well (my suggestion). Chicks need this heat 24/7 till their downy fluff is changed with plumes (which could take up to 2 months). The newly hatched out need a temperature between 90 as well as 100 levels, and each week this could be reduced by roughly 5 degrees or so. The warmth source ought to get on just one side of the cage to enable chicks an array of temperatures. The chicks are your finest thermostat- if they are concealing in the opposite corner of your heat light, you should reduce the temperature. If they are smothering each various other under the heat (not just cuddling), you have to include some warmth. House cleaning Sanitation is vital as well as it maintains your chicks healthy and balanced. Make certain to change the bedding frequently and constantly provide clean food and water Food and also water. Chicks expand quite quick which calls for lots of tidy food and water. Provide sufficient at all times as well as check frequently to prevent thirsty and also hungry chicks. Chick food is various compared to adult chicken food, as well as it can be found in both medicated and non-medicated varieties. Feed chick food for the initial two months, then switch to a raiser food (~ 17 % healthy protein) for an additional 2 months, and afterwards to a slightly reduced healthy protein feed or a level feed (if you have layers). Dirt Some chicks want to obtain a head start on taking filth bathrooms, while others will not occupy that activity until they are older. If you have the space in your chick room, introduce a tray of sand or dust for them to shower in. Attention as well as love There are a couple of advantages to hanging out with your chicks. To start with, they will certainly probably bond with you and also not escape as adults. Second, if you analyze your chicks daily and also watch their behavior, you can capture disease or other troubles earlier. Watch out for wheezing, hopping, or other harmful indications. Be sure to additionally check out their poop, as looseness of the bowels could bring about matted plumes and clogged up cloaca. Finally, it is important to keep an eye out for social concerns, such as the littlest chick getting picked on. Empty nest disorder So your chicks are currently completely feathered and also its time for them to leave the security of your home and also move outside right into a cage. Check out our part on chicken cages for more information concerning coops as well as appropriate coop environments.Baby Chickens Eggs Baby Chickens And Baby Ducks
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