Backyard Chicken Raising ? 10 Vital Steps Before You Start

Like many people, you probably love the idea of keeping free range poultry in your backyard or garden.  You will enjoy delicious, fresh eggs almost daily. If you intend to raise your hens as pets you might not wish to think of them as a nutritious source of food, but it is something to at least consider as a good source of income perhaps.

None of this can be done without looking after your chickens properly. So here are the 10 vital steps for raising and keeping your poultry happily and in great condition.

Step 1, choose the breed. It is vital to choose the right breed for your area and requirements.  Tolerance to hot or cold weather, good layers or for the pot, good pets or backyard scratchers – there are many aspects you need to consider carefully at the outset.  You can get good advice from your local hen supplier and from poultry farmers in your area.  

Step 2, select the right number of birds. Hens must have enough room to forage and nest. At least 10 square feet per bird is a good rule of thumb.  Measure out the area in which you intend to keep the hens, to determine the maximum number you can keep comfortably. For social reasons (the chickens, not you!) three is considered the minimum number of birds for a flock.

Step 3, decide how much time you will have available. Poultry needs daily care and attention for feeding, cleaning, watering and other tasks such as checking the security of perimeter fencing. Allow 10 or 15 minutes for a small flock, and expect them to follow you closely as you walk around their pen.

Step 4, build shelter and housing.  Hens need somewhere to roost safely at night, with perches and nesting boxes. They should have a place to shelter from the sun and a source of fresh water. A good chicken coop will have easy access for cleaning and a way to collect eggs without disturbing the hens too much.

Step 5, provide protection. Safety from predators is vital, and threats come from many creatures including rats, dogs, raccoons, weasels, birds of prey such as eagles and hawks, foxes, perhaps snakes.  Do not underestimate the ability of predators to gain access to your hens through or under fences over time.  The chicken house must be properly secured and the fence around the hen run good enough to prevent your local predator types from getting through.  The chicken run will need a top as well, if there are birds of prey around or the run is close to trees – to prevent your chickens taking flight!

Step 6, consider health precautions. Poultry can suffer from quite a few diseases, so do some research into the common ones in your area.  Speak to the vet, other chicken keepers and online forums – you will get a lot of help from the chicken-keeping community.  

Step 7, identify applicable regulations.  Be sure to identify and follow all relevant rules and regulations about hen keeping in your area, although these are not usually very taxing.  Your local town hall or government offices should be able to give you all the guidance and information you need.  

Step 8, provide a good diet.  Hens need a diet of greens, grains, protein and fresh water. Protein is particularly important – talk to your local feed supplier for advice on this.  Protein supplements and grit are sometimes needed, but most likely free range hens will get enough from their own foraging. Fresh, clean water must be available at all times.  If you are away during the day or on vacation, you should investigate automatic water dispensers for your hens. The rest of your hens’ diet should be met by foraging around their pen area.  

Step 9, consider weather and climate.  Most chicken varieties are fairly tolerant of harsh climactic conditions, provided that you give them access to shade when the sun is overhead. Make sure, however, that they are able to keep their feet dry.  

Step 10, consider the local environment. Most often people like hens in their neighborhood, so you are unlikely to have any problems.  Perhaps talk to any neighbors who might have concerns about possible noise or smells, to reassure them.  You could suggest the occasional box of fresh, free range eggs to get their vote!

You will note that none of these vital steps is anything other than common sense.  Follow them and you will enjoy happy, healthy chickens for years to come. Oh, one last thing – each of those happy hens should provide you with 6 fresh, free range eggs per week for most of the year!

Please visit us if you would like more information about keeping hens, such as how to build a chicken coop and where to get the best chicken house plans. Now go and enjoy those chickens!

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