We just started raising chickens and have already learned a lot so far. Here are some tips, tricks and lessons we've learned on raising chickens at home.
Keep the Coup Predator Proof!
If you are going to be raising chickens in a more rural or remote setting, my number one most important tip is to make sure your coup is safe for your chickens. We purchased our first two birds, Rhode Island Red hens, and put them in a coup with a yard that wasn't covered with chicken wire on the top. The next day, one of our birds was missing. It's possible that it escaped but also possible that a bird of prey such as a hawk or owl swooped into the coup and took her.
Clip the Chickens' Wings
Clipping a Chicken's wing will throw off their flight balance which will make them less likely to fly away. When clipping, be sure to use sharp scissors. It may sound mean to take away a bird's ability to fly but by clipping the chicken's wing you are keeping them in a safe environment where they will be fed and taken care of and it doesn't hurt them a bit!
Feed Your Chicken's What They Need
Chickens are well known for eating just about anything. You can toss them all sorts of kitchen scraps when they're older. For our younger chicks, we have been feeding them chick crumbles and our larger chickens get cracked corn and then an all purpose feed. Be sure to research the types of things your chickens can and can't eat.
A Clean Coup is a Happy Home
It is essential that you keep your coup clean. Chickens poop. A lot. And they poop everywhere, including on their food and in their water. Chickens, especially baby chicks, are prone to many diseases including Coccidioisis which thrives in a damp environment. So do your best to keep your birds and their homes clean and happy and they'll (hopefully) provide you with lots of eggs!
Provide a Place for Nesting
If you are raising chickens for their eggs, you must provide them with a place to lay. Many people build nesting boxes which can work well. Our hens aren't yet old enough to lay so for now we have just thrown some straw inside the coup. If you don't build nesting boxes, the hens will create their own nests with the material you've provided.
Most importantly: Have fun!
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