Raising Backyard Chickens – A Guide To Raising Chickens Info On Coops, Daily Care & More
Although many people are shocked to learn that many cities allow chickens, city dwellers raising backyard chickens is a growing national trend. It is an increasingly popular hobby as more people are looking for ways to get eggs and chicken meat that are healthy and hormone-free.
Whether you are looking for a self-sufficient and healthy way to get fresh eggs, or if you simply want to try a new hobby, raising chickens is perfect for young and old alike. The most common misconception is that raising chickens is difficult or expensive, really it is neither, you don't need a $500 enclosure to keep a bunch of chickens.
Chickens are not difficult to keep, and will provide you with many benefits. One of the first steps to consider when you want to raise backyard chickens is what breed of chicken you will want to raise. There are many different types to choose from and deciding which type to get can be a fun part of the process.
The next step is to think about housing the birds. You will need to consider how much space you have available in your backyard. Once you have selected a location for the chicken coop, you will want to stock it with water and feeding dispensers.
For bedding material, straw, hay or bark chips keep the area clean and easy to maintain.
These is primarily what you will need to get started to raise backyard chickens.
When your new chickens first arrive, it's a good idea to keep them in the coop to begin with.
Put hay in the nest boxes for them to lay their eggs, and straw or bark chips on the floor of the coop to help absorb the bird droppings.
Feeding your chickens pellets or mash is a good food choice, make sure it has at least 15 percent protein. They can also be fed most kitchen scraps, which will help to cut down on food waste. They will eat vegetable peelings and greens as well.
Chicken poop can be composted using the deep litter method. You can start this at any time. Once a week, add another layer of pine shavings, and mix the litter up. When you have about 10 inches of litter, the coop can be cleaned out, and the litter used as compost in your garden.
This method works best when you use the ground itself as the floor of the coop, this creates the right conditions for composting the droppings. The coop only needs cleaning once or twice a year.
If you think raising backyard chickens is something your family would enjoy, I've provided a link to a do-it-yourself guide that shows you step by step, with pictures and video, how to build your own chicken coop.