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 For Easter in
Cumby, Texas
We have many Rare Chicken Breeds for sale in Cumby Texas,
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. Cumby
Texas also has poultry equipment for sale, game chickens for sale in
Cumby Texas, 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 Cumby TX.
Baby Chicks in
Cumby, Texas
Thumbing through a baby chickens for sale in Cumby Texas
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
Cumby Texas * 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 Cumby
Texas * 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 Buy in
Cumby, Texas
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
Cumby Texas 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 Cumby,
Texas Baby chicks are extremely
charming and
hard to resist,
however it's best to prepare for their
arrival prior to you obtain them. Prepare initially
by collecting not only the
right products, but
also the correct
knowledge to look after
them. Raising baby chicks is reasonably
straightforward, you simply have to give them with the following: A
clean and also warm
habitat A lot of food and also water Focus and also
love Environment Your habitat can be a straightforward box, aquarium,
feline service provider, or guinea
pig cage. Line it with old towels and
coverings (with no loose
strings!) to start, and after a few weeks use straw over paper.
Keep in mind: Avoid making use of just
paper or other sandal
surfaces-- or your chicks legs could grow
misshapen. You likewise need
something to serve up food as well as
water in, such as a chicken feeder and water
recipe from the feed store, or a pickle container
lid for food and also an animal bird water dispenser from a pet store. Additionally, as the chicks age you could introduce a perch
into the environment to get them
trained on setting down. Warmth To
maintain your chicks heat you have to
offer them with a warmth source.
This could be as straightforward as a 100 watt
light bulb in a reflective clamp design light from an equipment store, or an infrared reptile warmth
bulb also work extremely well (my
referral). Chicks require this
heat 24/7 till their downy fluff is
replaced with plumes (which could use
up to two months). The recently
hatched out need a temperature level
in between 90 and also 100 levels,
as well as every week this can
be minimized by
approximately 5 levels approximately. The warmth source ought
to be on simply one side of the cage
to enable chicks a variety of
temperatures. The chicks are your ideal
thermometer- if they are concealing in the
other corner of your heat
lamp, you have to
decrease the temperature level. If
they are smothering each various other under the
warmth (not just cuddling),
you have to include some warmth.
House cleaning
Sanitation is crucial and also it maintains your chicks healthy and
balanced. Make sure to alter
the bed linen
commonly and also
consistently provide tidy
food and water Food as well as water.
Chicks grow really quick
which calls for lots of tidy
food and water. Provide
sufficient at all times and also inspect
frequently to avoid dehydrated and
hungry chicks. Chick food is different compared
to adult chicken food, and it can be found in both medicated as well as non-medicated selections. Feed chick food for the
first 2 months, after that
change to a grower food (~ 17 %
protein) for one more 2 months,
and afterwards to a slightly
reduced healthy protein feed or a level feed
(if you have levels). Dirt Some chicks want
to get a running start on taking
filth bathrooms, while others won't use up that activity until they are
older. If you have the area in your chick
enclosure, introduce a tray of sand or
filth for them to bathe in.
Interest and also love There are a couple of benefits to spending quality time with your chicks. Firstly, they will certainly more than likely bond with you and
not run away as grownups. Second, if you
analyze your chicks daily as well as
watch their actions, you could
capture illness or other issues previously. Watch out for wheezing, limping, or
other undesirable
signs. Make sure to
also take a look at
their poop, as diarrhea can lead
to matted feathers and also obstructed cloaca.
Lastly, it is important to keep an eye out for social issues, such as the
tiniest chick obtaining picked
on. Empty nest disorder So your
chicks are now totally feathery
and also its time for them to leave the
safety and security of your house
as well as move outside right into a
coop. Look into our
part on chicken cages to learn more
concerning coops as well as
proper coop habitats.
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