by Jen Zahm

Created on: May 20, 2009

For The Love of Chickens

There are many reasons people decide to begin raising chickens. Chickens are entertaining and easy to raise. They are the perfect compliment to a rural lifestyle, as well as town-dwellers who desire to "green" things up a little. Many municipalities now allow for a couple hens, which means that backyard chickens are no longer only for "country folk". Chickens provide free fertilizer for your garden (chicken poop is great added to the compost bin or pile), bug control for your garden (but you must watch that they are not eating your plants!). Chickens provide wonderful entertainment and a fantastic educational opportunity for children. Chickens are also a very easy step toward becoming more self sufficient...some raise chickens for meat, but considering that their eggs are a fantastic source of nutrition, I'm going to focus on the benefits and ease of raising chickens for their eggs.

Getting Started

Before you get your chicks, you will need a few items to keep them healthy and happy. A brooder (the baby chicks' home for their first few weeks) can be as simple as a big cardboard box. I prefer to use a large plastic utility tub or a nice, big kiddie pool as a brooder. Lots of space, waterproof (because baby chicks are very messy!) and durability have been proven with these makeshift items. No need to spend a lot of money on an expensive brooder, these items do very nicely. You will want about 2 sq. feet per bird...so if you are thinking of getting many chicks, keep this in mind and consider purchasing more tubs or kiddie pools. Another item you'll need is a heat lamp. This will need to be fixed in place above the brooder. A heat lamp bulb is recommended for warmth. The chicks need a very warm temperature for their first few weeks and a regular light bulb will not provide sufficient warmth. A few other items will round out your supplies for your new additions! You'll need feeders and waterers (available at any feed store or farm store) and a big sack of starter food. Pine shavings work well for bedding in the brooder. Using newspaper is not a good idea because it doesn't absorb enough liquid and your chicks can acquire problems with their feet from being left on wet surfaces for too long. Cedar chips are also a poor choice because the oils present

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