How to Raise Chickens: The Whole Story

Chickens are considered the gateway animal to farming because it’s the animal many people start with. The primary motivator is for the wonderful eggs the chickens produce all year long, but in reality there is so much more chickens can provide to your life and family.

Chicks have been selected over many generations for specific properties. In this article I review the things to consider, with a few examples, as you puruse the hatchery catalogs and websites.

There are a few options to consider when purchasing baby chicks. My favorite has been a local hatchery, a service that seems to be growing in popularity.

However you decide to obtain baby chicks, once they arrive you go into brooding phase. This requires some special attention, but as long as a few basic needs are met the chicks will do fine. Once they’re feathered out they can transtion to the coop.

There are many chicken coop options out there. I can’t tell you which one is right for you, but I can help you become aware of what the options are.

The traditional methods of feeding chickens are effective and established. But with a little creativity you can improve and add diversity to their diet while cutting the feed bill, and ultimately, the conversion ratio (feed : eggs).

While it may seem basic, there is a lot to eggs, from collecting them to washing them to consuming them and sharing them. Check here for all that plus a sweet little tip on how to know whether or not the eggs are still fresh.