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 Baby
Chickens in
Center Cross, Virginia
We have many Rare Chicken Breeds for sale in Center Cross Virginia,
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. Center Cross
Virginia also has poultry equipment for sale, game chickens for sale in
Center Cross Virginia, 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 Center Cross VA.
Baby Chicks Baby
Chickens in
Center Cross, Virginia
Thumbing through a baby chickens for sale in Center Cross Virginia
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
Center Cross Virginia * 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 Center Cross
Virginia * 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 Chickens And
Baby Ducks in
Center Cross, Virginia
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
Center Cross Virginia 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 Center Cross,
Virginia Baby chicks are extremely
charming as well as
hard to stand up to,
however it's best to prepare for their
arrival prior to you obtain them. Prepare first
by gathering not only the
appropriate materials, however
likewise the correct
knowledge to care for
them. Raising baby chicks is relatively
straightforward, you simply should give them with the following: A
clean and also warm and comfortable
environment Lots of food and water Interest and also
love Habitat Your habitat can be a basic box, aquarium,
cat carrier, or guinea
porker cage. Line it with old towels as well as
coverings (without any loosened
strings!) to start, and after a
couple of weeks utilize straw over newspaper.
Keep in mind: Avoid using just
paper or other slipper
surfaces-- or your chicks legs could expand
misshapen. You additionally require
something to provide food as well as
water in, such as a chicken feeder and also water
meal from the feed store, or a pickle jar
cover for food as well as a pet dog bird water dispenser from a family pet store. Likewise, as the chicks get
older you can present a perch
right into the environment to get them
trained on perching. Warmth To
maintain your chicks warm you need to
supply them with a heat resource.
This can be as easy as a 100 watt
light bulb in a reflective clamp design light from an equipment store, or an infrared reptile heat
bulb also function effectively (my
recommendation). Chicks need this
warmth 24/7 till their downy fluff is
replaced with feathers (which can take up to 2 months). The freshly
hatched out require a temperature
between 90 and also 100 degrees,
and every week this can
be minimized by
about 5 levels approximately. The heat resource ought
to be on simply one side of the cage
to enable chicks an array of
temperature levels. The chicks are your finest
thermostat- if they are hiding in the
opposite edge of your heat
lamp, you need to
decrease the temperature. If
they are smothering each other under the
heat (not just cuddling),
you should include some heat.
Housekeeping
Sanitation is essential and also it keeps your chicks healthy. Make sure to change
the bedding
typically and
constantly offer clean
food and water Food and also water.
Chicks expand quite fast
which calls for plenty of clean
food as well as water. Provide
enough in any way times and also check
typically to avoid dehydrated and also
hungry chicks. Chick food is different compared
to grown-up chicken food, and also it can be found in both medicated and
also non-medicated varieties. Feed chick food for the
initial 2 months, then
change to a raiser food (~ 17 %
healthy protein) for an additional 2 months,
and afterwards to a somewhat
lower protein feed or a level feed
(if you have layers). Soil Some chicks like to get a running start on taking
filth bathrooms, while others won't occupy that task until they are
older. If you have the area in your chick
unit, introduce a tray of sand or
filth for them to wash in.
Focus and love There are a
few advantages to spending time with your chicks. To start
with, they will certainly probably bond with you as well as
not flee as grownups. Second, if you
examine your chicks daily and
enjoy their behavior, you can
capture disease or other problems previously. Watch out for wheezing, hopping, or
various other unhealthy
indications. Be sure to
additionally consider
their poop, as looseness of the bowels could result in matted plumes as well
as clogged cloaca.
Lastly, it is necessary to keep an eye out for social concerns, such as the
smallest chick obtaining badgered. Empty nest syndrome So your
chicks are currently fully feathery
and also its time for them to leave the
safety of your home
and relocate outside right into a
coop. Check out our
area on chicken cages to find out
more
concerning cages and also
appropriate coop habitats.
Baby Chickens DietBaby Chickens For Sale Near Me More Posts Baby Chickens for Sale in Catlett, Virginia Baby Chickens for Sale in Beaumont, Virginia Baby Chickens for Sale in Bowling Green, Virginia Baby Chickens for Sale in Birchleaf, Virginia Baby Chickens for Sale in Catharpin, Virginia