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!***
Related
Baby Chicks Near Me in
Beckley, West Virginia
We have many Rare Chicken Breeds for sale in Beckley West 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. Beckley
West Virginia also has poultry equipment for sale, game chickens for sale in
Beckley West 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 Beckley WV.
Baby Chicks House in
Beckley, West Virginia
Thumbing through a baby chickens for sale in Beckley West 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
Beckley West 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 Beckley
West 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
Black in
Beckley, West 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
Beckley West 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 Beckley,
West Virginia Baby chicks are very
adorable and also
difficult to resist,
yet it's best to prepare for their
arrival prior to you get them. Prepare first
by compiling not only the
correct materials, however
likewise the proper
knowledge to care for
them. Raising baby chicks is reasonably
straightforward, you merely have to provide them with the following: A tidy as well as warm
habitat Plenty of food and also water Attention as well as
love Environment Your environment can be a straightforward box, fish tank,
pet cat carrier, or guinea
pig cage. Line it with old towels and
blankets (without any loose
strings!) to begin, and also after a
couple of weeks utilize straw over paper.
Keep in mind: Avoid utilizing only
paper or various other sandal
surface areas-- or your chicks legs can expand
malformed. You also require
something to dish out food and also
water in, such as a chicken feeder and also water
meal from the feed shop, or a pickle jar
lid for food and also a pet bird water dispenser from a pet shop. Likewise, as the chicks grow older you could introduce a perch
into the habitat to obtain them
educated on setting down. Heat To
keep your chicks heat you should
provide them with a heat source.
This can be as easy as a 100 watt
light bulb in a reflective clamp style light from an equipment store, or an infrared reptile heat
light bulb likewise work extremely well (my
recommendation). Chicks require this
heat 24/7 till their downy fluff is
changed with plumes (which could use
up to 2 months). The newly
hatched require a temperature level
between 90 and 100 degrees,
as well as weekly this can
be decreased by
roughly 5 degrees or
so. The heat source ought
to get on just one side of the cage
to allow chicks a variety of
temperatures. The chicks are your ideal
thermometer- if they are hiding in the
contrary corner of your heat
lamp, you should
decrease the temperature level. If
they are smothering each various other under the
heat (not simply snuggling),
you need to add some warmth.
Home cleaning
Sanitation is key as
well as it keeps your chicks healthy. Make certain to transform
the bedding
commonly and also
always offer clean
food as well as water Food as well as water.
Chicks expand really quick
which calls for plenty of tidy
food and water. Provide
sufficient in any way times as well
as examine
commonly to
stop parched and
hungry chicks. Chick food is different than adult chicken food, as well as it comes
in both medicated as well as non-medicated selections. Feed chick food for the
initial two months, after that
change to a grower food (~ 17 %
healthy protein) for one more 2 months,
and after that to a slightly
lower healthy protein feed or a level feed
(if you have layers). Soil Some chicks want
to obtain a running start on taking
filth baths, while others won't use up that activity till they are
older. If you have the space in your chick
room, present a tray of sand or
dirt for them to bathe in.
Interest and also love There are a
few benefits to spending quality time with your chicks. Firstly, they will certainly more than likely bond with you as well as
not escape as grownups. Second, if you
analyze your chicks daily as well as
enjoy their actions, you can
capture ailment or other problems earlier. Keep an
eye out for hissing, limping, or
other undesirable
indicators. Make sure to
also look at
their poop, as looseness of the bowels can lead
to matted plumes and also blocked cloaca.
Finally, it is important to keep an eye out for social problems, such as the
littlest chick getting teased. Vacant nest syndrome So your
chicks are now fully feathered
and also its time for them to leave the
safety of your residence
as well as relocate outside right into a cage. Check out our
part on chicken cages to get more information
regarding coops and also
appropriate cage environments.
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