Chook Me!

What Do I Need To Know About Raising Chickens?

My family and I live on 6 acres out in the country and we want to raise chickens for eggs. I was in the FFA for 3 years and we raised them at school so I have a good feel on it. We had them in a coop, It was a wood structure with a door, open spaces with wire net around it, and it had food, water, etc. I thought that if we built the same thing at my house that it would work well. Would it be cheaper and easier to buy the chicks after they are hatched so I dont have to mess with an incubator? I found a website that i really like http://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com It seems to have good information and good products. Plus we have big gardens every spring and summer, so we figured we could use the chicken manure. Does this sound like a good idea? Please give any tips and advice!

Public Comments

1. Absolutely! The website looks great and raising chickens is a lot of fun:) It would be a whole lot easier to buy the chicks. But then again, it is so fun and ecxiting when incubating them. When i incubated mine, i had to turn them over every day so i felt proud when they hatched. Good Luck.
2. You found the excellent site that I've used for years. If you let the chickens free range a half hour before they roost they can find worms, grass, insects and grit for their gizzard. They will become accustomed to the freedom and gladly go to roost. Also they will come when called if you hand feed them some scratch feed.
3. Raising chickens is pretty easy and a nice way to start your little farm. There are a lot of websites out there that are really helpful. My favorite one is http://www.uBuilderPlans.com which is a homesteader website. They have a LOT of basic poultry information including links for where you can buy a few chickens or even chickens that are ready to lay eggs! They also sell easy building plans for a small backyard coop called the City Biddy Hen House that is great for beginners to use. I know you are going to enjoy your new hobby, I have had chickens for about 40 years now and still enjoy them.
4. if you incubate the eggs it takes alot of time and effort. your best buying day old chickens for the first couple of weeks they will need to be in a dry warm place with a heat lamp. a chicken coop will just need shelter some perches water ect.. if you have 6 acres they would love to run around and scratch in the garden once they are about 4 weeks you can put them in a big pen you should research what breeds are best for laying