Getting started with your chickens can sometimes seem expensive, however there are options for cheap .
If you are at all familiar with raising chickens, you will understand the importance of providing chicken nesting boxes for your hens.The nesting boxes will give your hens a clean, safe place in which to lay their eggs. They not only provide your laying hens with needed privacy, but also make it easier for you to find and collect the eggs.
Cheap Improvised Chicken Nesting Boxes
Your chickens do not require anything fancy and you will only need one nesting box for every 3-4 laying hens. You may even be able to use items from around the house to make cheap chicken nesting boxes. Such items as cat litter boxes, plastic milk crates, or large plastic bowls with one side cut out will do nicely and make practical and cheap chicken nesting boxes. Other ideas include using old plastic laundry baskets with one side cut out, wooden crates, or plastic buckets placed on their sides. Always be certain to properly sanitize the items to be used before using them as chicken nesting boxes. Never use any container that has ever stored anything toxic or chemical related either, to ensure the safety of your chickens.
Building Chicken Nesting Boxes
Other cheap chicken nesting boxes include the make it yourself variety. Standard for most chicken breeds measure 9-10″ high by 12″ wide, by about 12″ deep. For larger chicken breeds, add about 2 inches to each measurement for an accurate sized nesting box. You can construct cheap chicken nesting boxes by using leftover plywood from another project. When creating your chicken nesting box plans, allow for an opening about 10” high for the laying hens to enter the nesting box. Keep a wooden edge about 2” high across the bottom to help keep litter or bedding material in place and to prevent eggs from rolling out and breaking. Make a 45 degree pitched roof to discourage other chickens from sitting on top of the chicken nesting box.
Chicken Nesting Boxes for Sale
You may also wish to find chicken nesting boxes for sale. There are some great deals to be found on used chicken nesting boxes as well and new nesting boxes.
-Amazon offers a few at prices of around $15-$20. You could also look at the photos of the nesting boxes provided and use it as a reference for making your own wooden chicken nesting boxes.
-Ebay has some very elaborate offerings which are priced at over $300, not exactly cheap! Ebay sometimes also has chicken nesting box plans for sale for a few dollars, as well as heavy duty mats you can place in the bottom of the chicken nesting box that can be taken out washed and will last a lifetime.
-Craiglist usually has some deals on . I have seen these range from $10-$100 for 6 hole galvanized chicken nesting boxes. Keep an eye on Craigslist in your area and be ready to jump on the opportunities as they sale quickly.
Final Thoughts
Providing adequate nesting boxes for your chickens does not have to require a huge investment in time or money. You can make these nesting boxes yourself for very little expense or be frugal and find some good deals. Keep your hens happy and save money in the process while reusing something that might otherwise have been discarded.
Baby Chicks Habitat in
Hingham, Massachusetts
We have many Rare Chicken Breeds for sale in Hingham 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. Hingham
Massachusetts also has poultry equipment for sale, game chickens for sale in
Hingham 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 Hingham MA.
Baby Chicks Habitat in
Hingham, Massachusetts
Thumbing through a baby chickens for sale in Hingham 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
Hingham 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 Hingham
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 House in
Hingham, 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
Hingham 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 Hingham,
Massachusetts Baby chicks are quite
cute as well as
difficult to withstand,
but it's ideal to prepare for their
arrival prior to you get them. Prepare first
by gathering not just the
right products, but
likewise the proper
knowledge to take care of
them. Raising baby chicks is reasonably
basic, you merely have to offer them with the following: A tidy and warm and comfortable
environment Lots of food and also water Attention as well as
love Habitat Your environment can be an easy box, fish tank,
pet cat provider, or guinea
porker cage. Line it with old towels as well as
blankets (without loose
strings!) to begin, as well as after a few weeks make use of straw over paper.
Note: Avoid making use of only
paper or other sandal
surfaces-- or your chicks legs can expand
malformed. You additionally require
something to dish out food and also
water in, such as a chicken feeder and water
recipe from the feed store, or a pickle jar
lid for food and also a family
pet bird water dispenser from a
pet dog store. Also, as the chicks grow older you can introduce a perch
into the habitat to obtain them
educated on perching. Heat To
maintain your chicks warm you should
offer them with a heat resource.
This can be as easy as a 100 watt
light bulb in a reflective clamp design light from a
hardware store, or an infrared reptile warmth
light bulb additionally work extremely well (my
recommendation). Chicks need this
warmth 24/7 till their downy fluff is
replaced with plumes (which can take up to 2 months). The freshly
hatched out need a temperature level
between 90 and also 100 levels,
and also weekly this could
be minimized by
approximately 5 degrees or
so. The heat source must be on just one side of the cage
to enable chicks an array of
temperatures. The chicks are your ideal
thermostat- if they are concealing in the
contrary edge of your warmth
lamp, you should
decrease the temperature level. If
they are smothering each various other under the
warmth (not simply cuddling),
you need to include some warmth.
Housekeeping
Tidiness is crucial as
well as it maintains your chicks healthy and
balanced. Make certain to alter
the bed linen
often and
consistently provide tidy
food and water Food as well as water.
Chicks grow quite quickly
which needs a lot of tidy
food as well as water. Give
enough at all times and check
frequently to
stop parched and
hungry chicks. Chick food is different than adult chicken food, and it comes
in both medicated and non-medicated selections. Feed chick food for the
first 2 months, then
switch over to a grower 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 levels). Soil Some chicks want
to obtain a head start on taking
dust bathrooms, while others will not occupy that activity till they are
older. If you have the space in your chick
enclosure, present a tray of sand or
filth for them to shower in.
Attention and also love There are a couple of advantages to hanging
out with your chicks. First of all, they will certainly probably bond with you as well as
not flee as adults. Second, if you
examine your chicks daily and
see their habits, you could
catch health problem or various
other issues previously. Watch out for hissing, limping, or
various other harmful
signs. Make certain to
likewise check out
their poop, as diarrhea can cause matted plumes and also obstructed cloaca.
Lastly, it is important to look out
for social concerns, such as the
smallest chick getting teased. Empty nest syndrome So your
chicks are now totally feathered
and its time for them to leave the
security of your residence
as well as move outside right into a cage. Have a look at our
part on chicken cages to find out
more
about cages and also
appropriate cage habitats.
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