More than ever, every homestead should have a set of backyard chickens in their yard. In this post I'll show you just how to get started raising backyard chickens for the absolute beginner. In just a month, you'll be collecting eggs daily!
Most people wonder if raising backyard chickens is worth the work and effort. I was that person. I debated if chickens would make my yard smell, if they'd be loud and if it would actually be cheaper to raise hens for eggs than buying eggs from the store.
What beginner chicken owners don't often realize is that a chicken offers you much more than just an egg. And that they don't take much time to care for or energy to maintain.
In this post I'll share with you everything you need to know about having backyard chickens, wether you live in an urban or rural setting.
BACKYARD CHICKENS- COMPLETE GUIDE FOR BEGINNERS
Here's what you need to know about raising chickens in your backyard. The first thing to decide is if raising backyard chickens is for you.
Here are some of the things to consider:
-It's recommended to have two chickens per person in your household.
– Check with your local municipality if you are aloud backyard chickens and what the rules are.
– You need to get collect your eggs at least every other day, if you're not home you'll need a chicken sitter to check on your flock.
–Providing a clean, dry coop is the key to preventing disease, smell and rodents.
– Providing a chicken coop prepared for all seasons is your best bet for a successful year raising chickens.
GETTING STARTED RAISING BACKYARD CHICKENS
Raising backyard chickens is an exciting adventure for any family. Chickens can easily been seen and treated as pets, and as playing a critical role in your families self sufficiency. Deciding how you will raise your backyard chickens, what is your goal with your chickens.
HATCHING BABY CHICKENS USING AN INCUBATOR
The art of chicken hatching is one that many homesteaders have mastered over the years. Theres an awful lot of science involved in the process that can make it overwhelming for beginners, but it doesn’t have the be that way! In this post I’ll share with you everything you need to know for a successful chicken hatch using an incubator!
LEARN HOW TO HATCH CHICKEN EGGS IN THIS POST
RAISING BABY CHICKENS
Learn how to care for chickens after they’ve hatched with our baby chicken care guide, in this post you’ll learn everything you need to prepare for and take care of your baby chicks after they’ve hatched!
LEARN HOW TO RAISE BABY CHICKS IN THIS POST
RAISING CHICKENS FOR MEAT
Learn how to to make money on your homestead by raising meat chickens for profit with our tips and tricks for a productive and effective meat bird production on your hobby farm or homestead.
LEARN HOW TO RAISE MEAT CHICKENS IN THIS POST
RAISING CHICKENS FOR EGGS
In this post, I'm going to specifically share with you how to raise backyard chickens for eggs quickly. If you're looking to start collecting eggs like yesterday, then this is going to be your absolutely best option.
It can cost more money to start raising chickens for eggs this way, but the success rate is much higher and often with the steep learning curve that comes with raising chickens for beginners. I've learned the hard way that this is the best way to raise chickens if you solely want eggs for your family.
Trust me when I say this I know. I absolutely love hatching chicken eggs with my children. There's simply nothing sweeter than listening to the little chicks peeping away in their shells and anticipating the hatch.
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I also love raising those chicks as babies, and caring for them until they become hens and roosters and start laying eggs or making their first crow.
I also love heritage chickens for the wide variety of egg colours and the plumage.
BUT. In 5 years as a chicken lover, I've spent more money on fancy eggs to incubate, feed and wasted tears on loosing hens and having more roosters than hens. It can be financially and emotionally upsetting when you invest so much of your time and money only to loose a chicken or not get many eggs.
This is the last thing I want for you as a beginner with backyard Chickens. I want you to raise hens to have eggs for your family and to have all the added benefits of chickens on the homestead with out the financial burden and stress.
Follow the 4 steps below and start collecting eggs within a month!
STEP ONE: ORDER LAYER HENS
Purchase layer hens from your local poultry farmer as a viable and economic alternative to starting from chicks. Breeds of layer hens depends on your interest in hybrid or heritage varieties. Hybrid birds lay daily and heritage varieties are in my opinion nicer to look at but don't lay year round or every day.
If it's daily eggs you're looking for then hybrids are your best bet. They lay rich brown eggs and when taken good care of, produce approximately 355 eggs within 80 weeks even through winter months.
These brown layers provide the perfect balance, which means more profit for you if you choose to sell eggs!
STEP TWO: BUILD CHICKEN COOPS
Once you've ordered your hens, it's time to get in gear and build or order the perfect home for your flock.
Your backyard chicken coop will need to have nesting boxes, a roosting barn, a run and be safe from predators. Make sure it has good ventilation but also insulation. Make sure your coop is large enough for the size of your flock.
Learn how to convert a shed into a chicken coop from my friend at Simple Living Country Gal!
STEP THREE: GATHER ALL SUPPLIES FOR CHICKENS
You'll need several things to keep your chickens healthy, happy and safe including a waterer, feeder, automatic door, feed and a dust bath. These are just a few of my favourite items below ! Click on the image for more info
You'll need a Chicken Guard for an automatic door opener. I can't tell you how helpful it is to have one.
STEP FOUR: WELCOME HENS
Welcoming your hens to the coop is always exciting! Over the first week or so, watch them carefully and make sure they go in at night to stay safe and secure. Watch carefully for eggs, and remember to collect them the sooner the better!
Making money from your homestead is always an added bonus. Learn how to raise happy healthy chickens and make a profit with Life of Heritage's Chicken Rich Ebook!
This is my favourite system for raising backyard chickens for eggs. It's also a sneak peak at my favourite chicken resource out there, Chicken Rich! We've been following the chicken rich guide for a few year and its my favourite!
CHICKEN RICH
Save time and quickly get your chicken business started! LIFE IS TOO SHORT TO LET THE “TIME THIEF” STEAL YOUR SUCCESS OF RAISING CHICKENS TO MATURITY THAT ARE NOT ONLY HEALTHY AND FRIENDLY BUT ALSO HELPING YOU PAY YOUR BILLS (AND THEIRS!)
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