Raising Chickens 
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» Pets
created by jrmeyer
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| To lay eggs with beautiful golden egg-yolks, chickens need greed feed. If you can't let them out to scratch around and get their own greens, pull some weeds for them each day or feed them green vegetable scraps.
Tip Credibility: 72 (Best Tip!) |
| If you want to raise chickens for meat as well as eggs, look for "dual purpose" breeds. They are heavier than specialized egg layers. Rhode Island Red is one of the most popular - very productive, hardy, and usually grow to a good size. Tip Credibility: 49 |
| For a backyard flock it is fun to raise a variety of breeds so you can enjoy the different plumage and personalities. Sometimes you can save a little money at the farm store by taking leftover birds - they often order extras to account for losses. Tip Credibility: 49 |
| When you order your chicks always request them to be sexed, and get hens. Otherwise you get "straight run" and can end up with a flock of roosters. Tip Credibility: 49 |
| Of all the animals that people can raise as pets, chickens are unique in the sense that they produce something edible compared to other types of pets. In fact, raising chickens for pets will pay off in the long run as they are a source of fresh eggs. Tip Credibility: 5 |
| With your own backyard chickens,it’s easy to produce your own organic eggs. Organically fed chickens that roam freely & eat grass, are proven to lay eggs that have higher levels of Omega 3 fatty acids & Vitamin E, while having lower cholesterol content! Tip Credibility: 4 |
| Most cities these days allow you to raise a limited number of chickens in your yard. "No roosters" tends to be the rule. I have seven, and my most beautiful chick was acquired from a fancy chicken breeder I found on Craigslist. Tip Credibility: 4 |
| I live in Raleigh, and they just recently had an open house of sorts called 'hen-side the beltline'. There were 50 families that opened up their homes to view their urban chicken coops. Last year it was like 15, so it's really growing. Tip Credibility: 4 |
| It may come as a surprise but each chicken has their own distinctive personality. You will certainly be tempted to spoil them, pick them up, hug them and show them off to your friends. Cool names are a must as you get familiar with their characteristics. Tip Credibility: 4 |
| If you order chicks through the mail, get them into proper living quarters with warmth, food, and water as quickly as possible. You can often arrange for your post office to call you when they receive your shipment, allowing you to pick them up early. Tip Credibility: 4 |
| Did you know that chickens with upright combs can suffer from frostbite? So provide adequate shelter during cold weather. Or buy a breed that has a smaller comb. Check them out at http://www.infobarrel.com/Most_of_What_You_Need_to_Know_about_Cocks_Combs Tip Credibility: 4 |
| A dustbath is a chicken's way of keeping lice and mites at bay so try to provide for a patch of dry sand or dirt in their pen. Tip Credibility: 4 |
| Many breeds are suited as backyard chickens. Healthy birds have bright plumage, not ruffled or half naked. They should be show an interest in their surroundings. Many become very tame. Read more at: http://www.infobarrel.com/Raising_Backyard_Chickens Tip Credibility: 4 |
| Unless you want to raise some chicks, you will not need a rooster. Roosters in suburbia are not always welcome and even on an acreage, their early morning crowing can become annoying. Read more at: http://www.infobarrel.com/Raising_Backyard_Chickens Tip Credibility: 4 |
| Nest boxes should take several hens and be lined with straw, sawdust or shredded paper. A clean lining will ensure clean eggs. Most hens prefer a dark place so give the nest box a top. Read more at: http://www.infobarrel.com/Raising_Backyard_Chickens Tip Credibility: 4 |
| Perches should be the right size. The hen needs to be able to get her toes around the pole so she feels secure and safe as she sleeps. Provide several at varying heights. Read more at: http://www.infobarrel.com/Raising_Backyard_Chickens Tip Credibility: 4 |
| Chickens need a shelter. Equip it with ‘perches’ for roosting on at night. Place several at different heights so the chickens can flap to the lowest then move on up if they want to. Read more at: http://www.infobarrel.com/Raising_Backyard_Chickens Tip Credibility: 4 |
| Make your own shellgrit from your own eggshells. Place eggshells in a warm oven for 20/25 minutes. Leave overnight then crush and add to the feed. Eggshells provide grit and calcium. Read more at: http://www.infobarrel.com/Raising_Backyard_Chickens Tip Credibility: 4 |
| If your chickens start laying soft-shelled eggs, they need some shell grit. This can be bought or collected on your next seaside holiday. Hens will also peck at cuttlefish. Read more at: http://www.infobarrel.com/Raising_Backyard_Chickens Tip Credibility: 4 |
| Chickens love vegie peelings, leftovers, bread and green vegie leaves. If they can forage, even better. Green pickings (and sweet corn) will result in rich yellow yolks in the eggs. Read more at: http://www.infobarrel.com/Raising_Backyard_Chickens Tip Credibility: 4 |
| If you buy pellets, buy the appropriate ones for your chickens ie chick crumbles for baby chicks, starter pellets for juveniles and laying pellets for laying hens. Read more at: http://www.infobarrel.com/Raising_Backyard_Chickens Tip Credibility: 4 |
| To get the best from your chickens, feed them well. Generally bulk is cheaper. Keep in a rodent-proof bin. This will also prevent contamination of the food from rodent droppings. Read more at: http://www.infobarrel.com/Raising_Backyard_Chickens Tip Credibility: 4 |
| Clean, fresh water is essential for backyard chickens. Automatic feeders and waterers are available nowadays and once the outlay has been made, the items will last for a long time. Read more at: http://www.infobarrel.com/Raising_Backyard_Chickens Tip Credibility: 4 |
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