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 101 in
Gainesville, Virginia
We have many Rare Chicken Breeds for sale in Gainesville 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. Gainesville
Virginia also has poultry equipment for sale, game chickens for sale in
Gainesville 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 Gainesville VA.
Baby Chicks Outside in
Gainesville, Virginia
Thumbing through a baby chickens for sale in Gainesville 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
Gainesville 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 Gainesville
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 Chicks Supplies in
Gainesville, 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
Gainesville 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 Gainesville,
Virginia Baby chicks are extremely
adorable as well as
difficult to stand up to,
but it's finest to prepare for their
arrival before you obtain them. Prepare initially
by compiling not just the
correct products, however
also the appropriate
knowledge to look after
them. Raising baby chicks is reasonably
straightforward, you merely need
to offer them with the following: A tidy as well as cozy
environment A lot of food as well
as water Attention and also
love Habitat Your habitat could be a
simple box, aquarium,
cat carrier, or guinea
porker cage. Line it with old towels and also
coverings (without any loose
strings!) to start, and also after a few weeks utilize straw over newspaper.
Note: Avoid utilizing only
paper or other slipper
surfaces-- or your chicks legs could grow
misshapen. You likewise require
something to dish out food and also
water in, such as a chicken feeder and water
dish from the feed shop, or a pickle jar
cover for food and also a pet bird water dispenser from a
pet dog shop. Additionally, as the chicks get
older you could present a perch
right into the environment to get them
educated on setting down. Heat To
maintain your chicks heat you should
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 heat
light bulb likewise work effectively (my
recommendation). Chicks require this
warmth 24/7 up until their downy fluff is
changed with feathers (which can use
up to 2 months). The recently
hatched require a temperature level
between 90 and also 100 degrees,
as well as every week this can
be reduced by
approximately 5 levels or
so. The heat source need to be on merely one side of the cage
to permit chicks a variety of
temperature levels. The chicks are your best
thermostat- if they are hiding in the
other edge of your heat
light, you have to
decrease the temperature. If
they are smothering each various other under the
warmth (not simply snuggling),
you should add some heat.
Housekeeping
Tidiness is vital and it keeps your chicks healthy. Make certain to transform
the bed linen
frequently and
always supply tidy
food as well as water Food as well as water.
Chicks grow quite quick
which calls for a lot of tidy
food and water. Supply
enough at all times and also check
typically to
stop dehydrated as well as
hungry chicks. Chick food is different than grown-up chicken food, as well as it is available in both medicated and
also non-medicated varieties. Feed chick food for the
initial 2 months, after that
switch over to a grower food (~ 17 %
protein) for one more 2 months,
and then to a slightly
lower healthy protein feed or a layer feed
(if you have layers). Dirt Some chicks prefer to obtain a head start on taking
dust bathrooms, while others will not occupy that activity until they are
older. If you have the space in your chick
unit, introduce a tray of sand or
filth for them to shower in.
Attention as well as love There are a
few benefits to hanging
out with your chicks. First off, they will certainly probably bond with you and also
not escape as adults. Second, if you
analyze your chicks daily as well as
see their actions, you could
catch disease or various
other issues previously. Watch out for hissing, hopping, or
other harmful
indicators. Make certain to
additionally take a look at
their poop, as looseness of the bowels can bring about matted plumes and also stopped up cloaca.
Lastly, it is very
important to keep an eye out for social issues, such as the
tiniest chick getting picked
on. Empty nest disorder So your
chicks are now completely feathered
and also its time for them to leave the
security of your home
as well as relocate outside right into a
coop. Look into our
area on chicken cages to read more
regarding cages as well as
appropriate cage habitats.
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