Hello!

Do you want to learn how easy it is to raise chickens?  I'll take you through the simple steps of beginning with chicks and what you need to know to get started with raising chickens in your backyard or homestead. They are the gateway to more sustainable living and most likely you will get goats next!!!!!!

I know you have concerns about keeping chickens alive, but it is pretty simple.  It is quite easy to spot a sick chicken, but we have rarely had anything happen in all these years, but we also let our chickens free range all year besides winter so I’m sure that helps. I open the coop door in the morning and then they go back in there in the evening to roost, and I close the door at night so nothing can get into the coop. We have had a few chickens drop over but those were also chickens that were quite old.

I would suggest you get chickens that are ready to lay eggs or are laying when getting started because the only care they really need is fresh water, chicken feed, nesting boxes and a place to roost.  None of this has to be fancy-in our coop, we have some branches my husband cut down and then has those across the coop for them to sit on at night.

If you are going to get baby chicks, here are some tips to getting started.

First, you will want to prepare a brooder box.  That is just a clean, draft free container or large box to accommodate the number of chicks you are planning to raise.  You can use a cardboard box, plastic tub, wooden crate, or what we use is an old water tank because it has rounded corners which lessens the chances of a chick getting

trapped or wedged in the corner.  When chicks are cold or scared, sometimes they will huddle up in the corners, so we try to prevent that.

Next, you will want to have a reliable heat source the first week such as a heat lamp, infrared bulb.  My husband has a cover he made out of some old scrap wood and chicken wire and he puts that on top of the tank and hangs the lights from that.  Gradually reduce the temperature each week until the chicks are fully feathered.  We will start out with the light hanging lower and them just adjust it higher as they get older.  We don’t ever suggest spending alot of money on this because it is a very short time the chicks will be in here.

You will want to add some safe bedding materials for the chicks such as pine shavings, straw, or even paper towels to provide a soft and dry surface for the chicks to walk on.  Avoid newspaper as it is slippery and can lead to leg problems and don’t use cedar chips as they have an aromatic oil that can be harmful to the chicks.

You will want to buy chick starter feed and ensure it contains 18-20% protein to support healthy growth.  You will need shallow waterers to prevent drowning accidents.  You can add smaller rocks in there to make it easier for chicks to drink without getting wet.  Make sure to keep the

water clean and fresh to keep it free of contaminants and monitor water levels to prevent dehydration especially in hot weather.

Monitor chicks for signs of illness, injury or distress.  Healthy chicks should be active, alert and curious. Try to minimize stressors such as loud noises and overcrowding as stress can weaken their immune systems.  Avoid excessive handling during the first few days when they are most vulnerable.  And my favorite tip for chicks is to talk to them so they become accustomed to human presence.

When chicks are around 6-8 weeks and fully feathered, you can gradually introduce them to their permanent house but don’t let them be in an outdoor area unsupervised.

These tips will provide them with the best possible start in life and help them transition into healthy chickens.

Now I want to talk about basic care requirements for all chickens:

They will need shelter and the chicken coop should provide protection from predators like foxes, raccoons, owls and large birds. It should also offer adequate ventilation to prevent moisture  buildup and respiratory issues, but it doesn’t have to be fancy or cost alot of money. You will want 2-3 square foot coop space per chicken plus an outdoor run or free-range area where they can peck, scratch, and dust bathe.

Chickens require a balanced diet rich in protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. Commercial chicken feed comes in various formulations tailored to different stages of life (starter, grower, layer) and specific dietary needs.

Just like with the chicks, clean water should be available at all times, preferably in a gravity-fed or automatic waterer to minimize contamination. I like to put a splash of Apple cider vinegar in their water about once a week-its good for everything, right?

I have no doubt you will enjoy keeping chickens, they really are fun to observe!  If you have any questions at all, join our Simple Homesteading Group and ask me anything!

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