Raising Backyard Chickens – A Comprehensive Beginner’s Guide

Introduction

Welcome to Adventures in Reach, where the next adventure is in your backyard! In this comprehensive guide, we’ll go through the step-by-step process of raising chickens for eggs. Whether you’re already committed to getting chickens or just considering it, this guide will provide you with the essential information to make the process more affordable and easier than you ever imagined.

Getting Started with Chickens

1. Acquiring Chickens

1.1. Life Cycle Options

When it comes to acquiring chickens, there are several options. The most common ways are hatching eggs, getting day-old chicks, purchasing ready-to-lay pullets, or acquiring fully grown laying hens.

• Hatching Eggs: While an option, hatching eggs is not recommended for beginners due to the complexity and equipment involved. Expanding on hatching eggs, it involves carefully managing temperature, humidity, and egg turning throughout the incubation period. Novice chicken keepers may find this process overwhelming, and specialized equipment is necessary, making it less practical for those new to raising chickens.
• Day-Old Chicks: Obtainable through mail order or farm supply stores. Sexed chicks are preferable, as roosters may pose issues with city ordinances or homeowners associations. In the case of day-old chicks, they can be conveniently ordered online or found in local farm supply stores. Ensure that you select sexed chicks to avoid potential complications arising from roosters, especially if you’re subject to urban regulations or homeowners association restrictions.
• Ready-to-Lay Pullets: Around 20 weeks old, these chicks are closer to laying eggs, saving you waiting time. Ready-to-lay pullets are a great option for those who want to skip the early stages of chick rearing. At around 20 weeks old, these pullets are close to reaching maturity and will start laying eggs sooner, providing a more immediate return on your investment.
• Fully Grown Laying Hens: A less common but convenient option if available from a friend. Consider the age and egg production of older hens. If you have the opportunity to acquire fully grown laying hens from a friend or neighbor, it can be a convenient shortcut to having eggs in your backyard. However, consider the age of the hens and their expected egg production to ensure they align with your goals.

1.2. Chick Care Tips

• Brooder Setup: Use a cardboard box or purchase a brooder. Maintain a temperature of 95 degrees Fahrenheit for the first two weeks, lowering by five degrees each week until six weeks old. Setting up a brooder is a crucial step in caring for day-old chicks. Whether using a cardboard box or a purchased brooder, maintaining the right temperature is vital. Start at 95 degrees Fahrenheit for the first two weeks and gradually decrease it by five degrees each week until the chicks are six weeks old.
• Bedding: Provide a solid floor with two inches of pine shavings, avoiding cedar. Monitor temperature adjustments and chick behavior. For bedding, a solid floor covered with two inches of pine shavings (avoiding cedar due to its potential harm to chicks) creates a comfortable environment. Regularly monitor temperature adjustments and observe chick behavior to ensure they are thriving in their brooder.
• Feeding: Use starter food for the initial eight weeks. Ensure fresh water with optional probiotics for better growth. During the first eight weeks, feed your chicks with starter food, specially formulated for their developmental needs. Fresh water, supplemented with optional probiotics, supports their overall growth and health during this crucial stage.

Growing Chicks – 3 Weeks Old

Chicks grow rapidly, transitioning from adorable fluffballs to feathered individuals within weeks. At three weeks old, they’re on their way to becoming valuable members of your backyard.

Coop Requirements

2.1. Basic Housing Needs

Chickens need a safe and comfortable coop. While extravagant options exist, even a converted rabbit hutch or a simple chicken wire enclosure can suffice. Basic housing needs for your chickens involve providing them with a safe and comfortable coop. While elaborate coop designs are available, even a converted rabbit hutch or a straightforward chicken wire enclosure can serve the purpose, making it accessible for beginners.

2.2. Outdoor Run

• Height Consideration: If possible, create a run tall enough to stand in comfortably. When planning your outdoor run, consider its height to ensure you can stand comfortably inside. This provides convenience during cleaning and maintenance, making the overall experience more enjoyable for you as a chicken keeper.
• Dirt Floor: Allow chickens access to a dirt floor for dust baths and access to grit. Including a dirt floor in the outdoor run allows chickens to engage in natural behaviors like dust baths, contributing to their overall well-being. Additionally, access to grit, small particles like crushed shells, aids in their digestion.
• Grit Usage: Chickens use grit for digestion, so ensure a natural surface or supplement their food. Understanding the importance of grit in a chicken’s diet is crucial. Chickens use grit for digestion, so providing a natural surface or supplementing their food with grit ensures their digestive health is well-supported.

2.3. Hen House Setup

• Sleeping Quarters: Create a comfortable sleeping area with solid flooring, emphasizing at least 3 square feet per chicken. When setting up the sleeping quarters within the hen house, prioritize creating a comfortable space with solid flooring. Aim for at least 3 square feet per chicken to allow them ample room to roost and move comfortably during the night.
• Nest Boxes: Provide cozy, slanted nest boxes for laying eggs. Consider one box slightly larger than the chicken. Design nest boxes with comfort in mind, ensuring they are cozy and slanted to encourage egg laying. Opt for boxes that are slightly larger than the chickens themselves to accommodate their movements and make the laying experience stress-free.
• Deep Litter Method: Utilize pine shavings and adopt the deep litter method for easy coop maintenance. Implementing the deep litter method with pine shavings in the coop helps with easy maintenance. This method involves periodically adding new bedding material on top of the old, creating a natural composting process that enhances coop hygiene.

Egg Collection and Production

3.1. Nesting Behavior

Understanding your chickens’ natural instincts, nesting preferences, and the number of eggs to expect is crucial. To effectively manage egg collection and production, understanding your chickens’ natural instincts and nesting preferences is crucial. Different breeds may exhibit distinct behaviors, and recognizing these patterns enhances your ability to anticipate and collect eggs efficiently.

3.2. Egg Collection

• Daily Collection: Collect eggs daily to maintain cleanliness and prevent breakage. Make it a routine to collect eggs daily to maintain cleanliness and prevent breakage. Regular collection ensures that eggs are gathered before they can be damaged or subjected to environmental factors that may compromise their quality.
• Egg Storage: Unwashed eggs can stay at room temperature. Washed eggs must be refrigerated due to the removal of the natural protective bloom. Understanding proper egg storage is essential for maintaining freshness. Unwashed eggs can be stored at room temperature, but once washed, it’s crucial to refrigerate them due to the removal of the natural protective bloom that helps keep bacteria out.

Feeding and Watering

4.1. Food Types

• Starter Food: For the first eight weeks.
• Grower Feed: Transition from weeks 8 to 18.
• Layer Feed: After 18 weeks for egg-laying hens. Providing the right food at each stage of a chicken’s development is crucial. Start with starter food for the first eight weeks, transition to grower feed from weeks 8 to 18, and finally, switch to layer feed after 18 weeks for egg-laying hens, ensuring their nutritional needs are met throughout their life cycle.

4.2. Watering System

• Automatic Dispensers: Consider convenient dispensers to manage water supply, preventing overeating. Implementing automatic dispensers for water ensures a consistent and convenient water supply for your chickens. This not only prevents overeating but also reduces the frequency of water-related maintenance tasks, making the overall process more efficient.

4.3. Supplementary Foods

• Kitchen Scraps: Supplement their diet with kitchen scraps, ensuring a balanced mix for optimal health. To enhance the nutritional variety in your chickens’ diet, supplement their feed with kitchen scraps. Ensure a balanced mix of scraps to contribute to their overall health and well-being, but be cautious about feeding them anything harmful or toxic to chickens.

Conclusion

Raising backyard chickens can be a rewarding and straightforward venture. By following these guidelines, you’ll create a thriving environment for your feathered companions. Remember, the key to successful chicken keeping is providing them with a secure home, proper nutrition, and a bit of daily attention.

In conclusion, whether you’re a seasoned poultry enthusiast or a novice considering the leap into chicken keeping, this comprehensive guide aims to equip you with the knowledge and confidence needed to embark on a successful backyard chicken-raising adventure. From acquiring your first chicks to building a suitable coop and enjoying the fruits of their labor in the form of fresh eggs, this guide covers it all. Embrace the simplicity, joy, and rewards of raising backyard chickens, and you’ll discover a fulfilling and sustainable hobby that enriches your life. Happy chicken keeping!