Keeping chickens can be a great hobby for anyone with the space and a little extra time. I started keeping chickens several years ago and I really enjoy having them running around in my yard.
But I made a lot of mistakes when I bought my first chickens and it was terrible. So let's go over some of the things you need to consider before you ever buy your first chick.
First of all, are you allowed to keep chickens in you area? There are strict rules and regulations in many areas that don't allow chickens at all. Some areas will allow hens but not rooters. Still other areas will only allow you to keep a very small flock and the number of animals allowed depends on your area. Take the time to find out before you decided to start keeping chickens and then have to get rid of them.
Do you have the money to invest in keeping chickens. It will cost a lot more to get started since you will have to buy and build a chicken coop, all the necessary equipment, the animals themselves and the food. Check your finances carefully and go to some of the local feed stores in your area to see if they carry what you need. I will cost more sometimes if you have to pay to have items shipped to you.
Decide what size chicken coop you need to keep your chickens in and how big of a space you can afford to build. The bigger the coup, the more money it will cost. If you are going to keep them confined, standard guidelines say that each chicken needs about three square feet of space. If your chickens are allowed to free range, they only need around two square feet. The more hens you have, the more space you will need.
Do you have enough storage space to keep all of the supplies that you need. You will have to store feed, cedar bedding, the lighting equipment for winter and anything else that you might need. If you don't have a storage area, you will need to build one.
Decide where to place your chicken coop. It's location is very important. You want a sunny location but there should also be shade so your hens don't bake when they are laying eggs. The drainage around the area should also be taken into consideration. Chickens need to be kept dry or they will get sick and possibly diet.
This article covers just some of the most basic things that you need to consider before you decide to start keeping chickens. Don't make the mistake that I made. I didn't do my homework and I lost a lot of chicken in my first attempt. Learn more about how to keep your chickens alive and healthy by visiting this link ==> chicken breeds
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