In recent years, raising chickens in an urban setting has gained popularity. And during the COVID-19 pandemic, even more people started raising chickens! Not only is it a nice hobby to occupy your time, but you can get fresh eggs without worrying about contaminants.
Are you interested in keeping fowl in your backyard? Then read on. Here’s a simple guide on how to take care of chickens!
Flock Size
Chickens are social animals, so make sure you don’t just purchase 1 bird. You’ll want to get anywhere between 3 to 6 to start. Once you’re more comfortable with chicken ownership, you can consider increasing your flock size (so long as you have the proper space for it).
The Coop
You’ll need to either build or buy a coop that’s big enough to house your birds. For every 3 hens, you should have 1 nest box.
If you plan on free-ranging your chickens, then you’ll need to build a sturdy fence so they don’t get out and predators can’t get in.
The Feed
You can purchase 50-pound bags of feed at your local co-op. This should cost you around $20 per bag, so thankfully, it’s not such a huge expense.
Don’t forget to provide your chickens with fresh water as well!
Get an Incubator and Hatcher
If you’re keeping both hens and roosters, then you might want to raise some chicks to increase your flock size for cheap! For those who are doing so on a larger scale, you might want to consider investing in a cabinet incubator, which allows you to incubate hundreds of eggs at a time.
Otherwise, you can let nature take its course and wait for your hens to incubate and hatch chicks on their own.
Collect the Eggs
If you’re not planning on hatching the eggs, you need to collect them every day, as soon as possible. Otherwise, your hens can become broody, which isn’t very healthy for them.
Bedding
When caring for chickens, every week, you should check your their bedding. Your birds can be messy when they eat and drink, so they might soil the bedding.
If it isn’t clean and dry anymore, you should remove it and fill it with new bedding so your chickens are nice and happy!
Cleaning
In addition to replacing the bedding as needed, you need to also check the nesting boxes and the water dispenser as part of your chicken care tasks. Both should be cleaned out weekly to prevent the buildup of bacteria.
Winter Prep
As the weather gets colder, your chickens will burn more energy. This means you’ll have to increase their feed. You might even want to give them pellets as a source of more carbohydrates.
If you want your hens to keep laying eggs, you’ll have to install a heat lamp in their coop.
Know How to Take Care of Chickens Like a Pro
Now that you know how to take care of chickens, you’re set to start your own mini chicken coop, right in your backyard! So make a good coop, fill it with healthy chickens, and you’re on your way to getting some deliciously fresh eggs!
For more chicken care tips, check out our blog section now!
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