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How to Get Started Raising Your Backyard Chickens

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There are many benefits when it comes to raising your own chickens. Eggs taste better and are fresher than the eggs you would buy at your local grocery store. The shells of the eggs along with the chicken stool can be put into the compost pile. During the day, chickens will entertain themselves, picking at grass, worms, beetles, and other good things to make those eggs tasty!

 

Chickens are known to be very sociable, so you want to make sure you get them four to six friends. Here is the ideal space you will need: At least two square feet of coop per bird. Give them plenty of space, overcrowding can lead to disease and feather picking. The more space you provide the happier your chickens will be.

 

Here are a few tips for things you will need for starting to raise chickens in your own backyard.

 

  • Check with your local city codes to make sure it is legal to raise chickens in your backyard.

  • The birds will need a space to spread their wings. Make sure you have the space for chickens. A minimum coop size is three feet, but you'll need an additional enclosed run of at the very least 4 ft by 8 ft. and a bigger space is better. Have fun with it. Chicken coops come in all different shapes and sizes.

  • Choose the kind of chickens you want. 3 chickens is an ideal starting amount. Rhode Island Red, Barred Plymouth Rock, and the Ameraucana are great for beginners.

  • Make sure to keep your pets away. Cats are only a threat to baby chicks but dogs are likely to be aggressive no matter how old your chickens are.

  • If you are starting with chicks, set up their space in a brood. Chicks need a heat source of about 95 degrees and will be inside for 6-8 weeks.

  • Fully grown chickens can be outside year round but will need additional heat if the temperature drops below 15-20 degrees.

  • Chores on a daily basis are minimal. You will need to clean out the coop once every two months. Make sure the chickens are stocked up on food and water everyday. Also, add a new layer of litter every week.

  • Always use hand sanitizer after handling chickens. Also, never visit another coop and then walk back into yours wearing the same shoes. You could spread diseases to your chickens.

 

Those are just a few things that you will need to do in order to raise chickens in your backyard. If you are wanting to have your own fresh laid eggs, then a chicken coop with your very own chickens in your backyard is the way to go, and Sutherlands is here to help!

 

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