It's become popular to raise and keep a small flock of hens for eggs as a hobby for many families. It is a part of today's urge to go green and get back to basics.
Most hens can be expected to lay five eggs a week. This means that four to five good layers will mean a couple of dozen eggs a week. Different breeds have different qualities. The best layers won't usually sit on eggs (be broody), but some of the breeds that are just a little less productive will set the eggs for you if you plan to raise chicks.
If you only want to produce eggs to eat, you won't need to deal with a rooster, which is a big perk. Roosters can be mean, territorial, and cause problems with chicks introduced to the flock.
Choosing Your Chickens
The White Leghorn is the best laying breed. They begin laying at about five months of age and will continue to do so almost daily for 3 years or more.
Red and Black Stars are also excellent layers. Plus, they have the added attribute of being friendly and they make great pets. They lay large brown eggs almost every day.
Consider these things before choosing from the hundreds of chicken breeds available:
Make sure your choice of hen will do well in your climate. Be sure you have enough space - an adult chicken needs at least 4 square feet of space, minimum. This means sixteen feet of space per four hens. More is always better. They need exercise, close confinement increases stress in hens that can cause them to stop laying. A docile breed will be best if children will be involved.
Eggs and Small Business Ventures
Selling fresh eggs can be a great family passtime or even a small business.
If you have the room to free range the chickens, then the eggs will bring a much higher price. You can also go completely organic and they will bring even more.
Fertilized eggs for hatching can be sold as incubation projects for students or you can sell the chicks.
A rare or endangered species of hen can command an even higher price. Online sales of these eggs can be done all year.
Be sure to learn how to pack eggs for shipping. It's not as difficult as you might imagine. It just takes lots of bubble wrap around each individual egg plus a snug fit in a double box. Many eggs are shipped or received this way without a problem.
If you will be incubating or selling the eggs for incubation, they should not be washed. Just brush off any loose dirt. Washing the egg removes a protective layer on the outside of the shell.
Keeping chickens for eggs is fun and, with the right planning, can be quite profitable.
If you're a do it yourself kind of person, you can check out how to build a chicken coop.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eric_Moore
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6542337
Monday, 3 October 2011
Common Diseases and Cures That Backyard Chickens Contract
Many people enjoy raising backyard chickens out of the joy that comes with owning chickens and because of the fresh eggs that they provide. In fact, this form of urban farming is becoming so popular that people across the country are building chicken coops and keeping chickens in their backyards. However, chickens like any other animal or pet also are susceptible to many diseases that can occur no matter how clean you keep a chicken coop or how well the animals are looked after. Thus, to help you identify when your chickens may need your aid here are the top diseases that backyard chickens may develop.
First on the list are external parasites which can range in size from a small mite that only measures about.5mm and can be hard to even see up to ticks that are about a centimeter in size. You may also notice fleas that nest on the chicken's feathers as well as lice that resemble the same type that young children often get in their hair.
Some parasites are more harmful than others and can lead to mild conditions such as irritation and feather damage or can cause life threatening diseases such as tick fever. Depending on the severity of the infection your feed store may carry parasite sprays and drops that you can give the chicken, although severe infections will require a trip to the vet before it spreads to all of your chickens.
Internal parasites can also infect chickens and are usually more harmful to chickens since they can cause diarrhea, pale combs, and severe weight loss. If you notice any of these symptoms it is possible that your chickens have worms much like puppies get. Regularly cleaning up the feces of your chickens will help keep worms from spreading and infecting your chickens in the first place. If you notice worms you should head to the vet with a feces sample for a diagnosis of type so that they can give you the proper medication. Additionally, during this time period you should not eat any of the eggs that your chickens produce.
A popular disease that is specific to chickens is Marek's disease which is a viral infection that spreads from chicken to chicken via dust and feather dander. It is extremely hard to cure in your chicken coop due to the fact that it can tolerate harsh environments for a long period of time and can even spread on your clothing from bird to bird.
Marek's disease usually affects a bird at a young age attacking their white blood cells and results in cancer developing in the bird. The first time you may notice it is when the chicken's legs become paralyzed although sometimes the paralysis can affect the neck and wings of the bird. Other symptoms include breathing problems, weight loss, and diarrhea. Since you cannot cure the disease it is important to have your chickens vaccinated or be sure that the chicks you buy have previously been vaccinated.
Another exclusive disease that strikes chickens is fowl pox which is also a viral infection. The disease can be spread from chicken to chicken by fighting or by biting at insects. It enters the chicken's body by a scrape or scratches and will manifest itself when the scabs start to form over the entry point. Most of the time chickens will recover from the infection without intervention but sometimes they can get ill from another secondary infection. The good news is that once a chicken recovers from the fowl pox just like the human form of chicken pox they are immune for life.
Although most of these diseases can sound awful in nature, outside of the Marek's disease most are not serious and be prevented by practicing good hygiene when it comes to your chicken coop. The best way to prevent your chickens from getting sick is to keep their chicken coop clean by scrapping out the feces from inside the coop and enclosure on a regular basis. Changing the water and food on a daily basis is also important to prevent disease from spreading from bird to bird.
Suzie O'Connor is the owner of ChickenHousesPlus.com which carries an extensive selection of Affordable Backyard Chicken Coops, custom made chicken houses.
http://www.chickenhousesplus.com/chcohenhofrs.html Custom made chicken coops and chicken houses mean happy, healthy chickens.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Suzie_OConnor
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3542609
First on the list are external parasites which can range in size from a small mite that only measures about.5mm and can be hard to even see up to ticks that are about a centimeter in size. You may also notice fleas that nest on the chicken's feathers as well as lice that resemble the same type that young children often get in their hair.
Some parasites are more harmful than others and can lead to mild conditions such as irritation and feather damage or can cause life threatening diseases such as tick fever. Depending on the severity of the infection your feed store may carry parasite sprays and drops that you can give the chicken, although severe infections will require a trip to the vet before it spreads to all of your chickens.
Internal parasites can also infect chickens and are usually more harmful to chickens since they can cause diarrhea, pale combs, and severe weight loss. If you notice any of these symptoms it is possible that your chickens have worms much like puppies get. Regularly cleaning up the feces of your chickens will help keep worms from spreading and infecting your chickens in the first place. If you notice worms you should head to the vet with a feces sample for a diagnosis of type so that they can give you the proper medication. Additionally, during this time period you should not eat any of the eggs that your chickens produce.
A popular disease that is specific to chickens is Marek's disease which is a viral infection that spreads from chicken to chicken via dust and feather dander. It is extremely hard to cure in your chicken coop due to the fact that it can tolerate harsh environments for a long period of time and can even spread on your clothing from bird to bird.
Marek's disease usually affects a bird at a young age attacking their white blood cells and results in cancer developing in the bird. The first time you may notice it is when the chicken's legs become paralyzed although sometimes the paralysis can affect the neck and wings of the bird. Other symptoms include breathing problems, weight loss, and diarrhea. Since you cannot cure the disease it is important to have your chickens vaccinated or be sure that the chicks you buy have previously been vaccinated.
Another exclusive disease that strikes chickens is fowl pox which is also a viral infection. The disease can be spread from chicken to chicken by fighting or by biting at insects. It enters the chicken's body by a scrape or scratches and will manifest itself when the scabs start to form over the entry point. Most of the time chickens will recover from the infection without intervention but sometimes they can get ill from another secondary infection. The good news is that once a chicken recovers from the fowl pox just like the human form of chicken pox they are immune for life.
Although most of these diseases can sound awful in nature, outside of the Marek's disease most are not serious and be prevented by practicing good hygiene when it comes to your chicken coop. The best way to prevent your chickens from getting sick is to keep their chicken coop clean by scrapping out the feces from inside the coop and enclosure on a regular basis. Changing the water and food on a daily basis is also important to prevent disease from spreading from bird to bird.
Suzie O'Connor is the owner of ChickenHousesPlus.com which carries an extensive selection of Affordable Backyard Chicken Coops, custom made chicken houses.
http://www.chickenhousesplus.com/chcohenhofrs.html Custom made chicken coops and chicken houses mean happy, healthy chickens.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Suzie_OConnor
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3542609
Keeping Chickens Under Extreme Weather Situations
Chickens, especially when they're young, are quite sensitive and vulnerable to extreme temperatures and diseases. Some baby chicks have a weak immune system and may succumb to harsh climate situations. Other breeds of chickens have a stronger immune systems which permits them to survive regardless of the extremes of climate and various diseases. Because of this, you should certainly take into account the weather conditions in your region when choosing a breed of chicken to raise. The two essential seasons which an individual must be careful about are summer season and winter, since these two seasons see the most extreme weather conditions.
If an individual has his home situated in a location with extreme summer temperatures most of the time, the chickens can suffer from excess heat exposure resulting in dehydration. There is a possibility for hens to lay an excessive amount of eggs in hot weather. Excessive egg laying is not a good thing, since it will cause a lot of stress to the hens..
Sufficient water needs to be provided for the chickens, and it needs to be clean and hygienic. It should be given to the chickens constantly during hot weather. The waterer has to be refilled on occasion to make sure that the water remains clear and fresh. The chickens need to be kept within the shade when the temperatures are high. Most importantly, correct air flow and ventilation have to be maintained inside the chicken coop.
Be aware that chickens can adapt to the tough weather conditions in the winter. Their metabolism undergoes a natural change to help them to survive low temperatures. Just make sure that the chickens are properly sheltered from the weather, and not exposed to drafts. After that, you need to provide warmth inside the coop. The easiest way to do this is by hanging a heating lamp from the ceiling. The lamp should be at a sufficiently long distance away from the ground and from any flammable materials. The water also needs to be heated to keep it from getting frozen. Without water the chickens can die, so this always needs to be taken care of. It is also a good idea to spread some straw or sawdust on the floor to help keep the coop insulated
Every morning, watch the chickens for their health status. Look at their physical attitude. Do they look bright, active, and healthy? If they don't look anything close to normal, then you should call or see the vet to ask for suggestions and answers. The chickens may show teary eyes, sneezing, loss of appetite, melancholy, subnormal stools, mites, etc. If your chickens show any of these signs, they should be placed in quarantine immediately to stop the illness from spreading to the rest of the flock. The isolated birds have to be kept under close supervision, even after it has been diagnosed. If the birds are fortunate enough to recuperate, they may be safely introduced back to the flock.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6211640
If an individual has his home situated in a location with extreme summer temperatures most of the time, the chickens can suffer from excess heat exposure resulting in dehydration. There is a possibility for hens to lay an excessive amount of eggs in hot weather. Excessive egg laying is not a good thing, since it will cause a lot of stress to the hens..
Sufficient water needs to be provided for the chickens, and it needs to be clean and hygienic. It should be given to the chickens constantly during hot weather. The waterer has to be refilled on occasion to make sure that the water remains clear and fresh. The chickens need to be kept within the shade when the temperatures are high. Most importantly, correct air flow and ventilation have to be maintained inside the chicken coop.
Be aware that chickens can adapt to the tough weather conditions in the winter. Their metabolism undergoes a natural change to help them to survive low temperatures. Just make sure that the chickens are properly sheltered from the weather, and not exposed to drafts. After that, you need to provide warmth inside the coop. The easiest way to do this is by hanging a heating lamp from the ceiling. The lamp should be at a sufficiently long distance away from the ground and from any flammable materials. The water also needs to be heated to keep it from getting frozen. Without water the chickens can die, so this always needs to be taken care of. It is also a good idea to spread some straw or sawdust on the floor to help keep the coop insulated
Every morning, watch the chickens for their health status. Look at their physical attitude. Do they look bright, active, and healthy? If they don't look anything close to normal, then you should call or see the vet to ask for suggestions and answers. The chickens may show teary eyes, sneezing, loss of appetite, melancholy, subnormal stools, mites, etc. If your chickens show any of these signs, they should be placed in quarantine immediately to stop the illness from spreading to the rest of the flock. The isolated birds have to be kept under close supervision, even after it has been diagnosed. If the birds are fortunate enough to recuperate, they may be safely introduced back to the flock.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6211640
Keeping Chickens - A Great Hobby
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
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Debbie_Vornholt
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4367915
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
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Debbie_Vornholt
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4367915
Keeping Chickens at Home is Not Difficult When You Know the Fundamental Steps in Caring for Chickens
Chickens can be kept in a small place at your home, even at the backyard. There is no need to create a special area for them to proliferate in, for keeping chickens at home is the usual setup when it comes to maintaining them. It is relatively easier to take care of chickens compared with other kinds of animals that give products ready to be sold.
Keeping chickens at home need not be tedious. All you need to do is to have a small chicken coop, one which is kept clean and gives enough room for the chickens. Fresh water and food must always be readily available for chickens. There are designated meal times wherein you will feed the chickens, but in between those small portions of food must be present for the hungry ones. One of the advantages that you are keeping chickens at home is you can experiment with their diet by giving them bits and pieces of the food available to you. Chicken droppings must also be constantly cleaned from the coop to maintain a healthy environment.
The sanitary condition of your chicken coop must abide by the community rules on rearing poultry. The failure of which can lead to you being forced to dispose off your chickens. Make sure that you know the rules and follow them obediently.
When keeping chickens at home, sometimes you think that a very small space that sufficiently encloses them will do. However, you must take heed of their need to scratch, peck and perch. There is nothing better than them feeling comfortable in their surrounding. Another important thing is to remember not to cage them, otherwise they will feel stressed out and will not be healthy. In line with their health condition, you must always check up on them and observe whether some of them are sick. In case there are sick chickens, separate them from the group immediately and treat their condition to prevent further sickness in the coop.
Probably one of the reasons why you are keeping chickens at home is the eggs they give. There are chickens that are territorial with their eggs, and their area, but you have to make sure that you approach the coop calmly. Do not threaten them by aggression.
Most importantly, you have to make them safe in their coops. Predators such as hawks need to be kept away from them so that they remain calm and healthy. Parasites must always be checked before they infest everyone.
Looking for more tips on keeping chickens at home? Visit the how to raise chickens website today to discover everything you need to know and how easy it is to raise your own chicken. Separate yourself from the usual chicken owners and avoid costly mistakes, just visit: howtoraisechicken.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bob_Pearson
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3854597
Keeping chickens at home need not be tedious. All you need to do is to have a small chicken coop, one which is kept clean and gives enough room for the chickens. Fresh water and food must always be readily available for chickens. There are designated meal times wherein you will feed the chickens, but in between those small portions of food must be present for the hungry ones. One of the advantages that you are keeping chickens at home is you can experiment with their diet by giving them bits and pieces of the food available to you. Chicken droppings must also be constantly cleaned from the coop to maintain a healthy environment.
The sanitary condition of your chicken coop must abide by the community rules on rearing poultry. The failure of which can lead to you being forced to dispose off your chickens. Make sure that you know the rules and follow them obediently.
When keeping chickens at home, sometimes you think that a very small space that sufficiently encloses them will do. However, you must take heed of their need to scratch, peck and perch. There is nothing better than them feeling comfortable in their surrounding. Another important thing is to remember not to cage them, otherwise they will feel stressed out and will not be healthy. In line with their health condition, you must always check up on them and observe whether some of them are sick. In case there are sick chickens, separate them from the group immediately and treat their condition to prevent further sickness in the coop.
Probably one of the reasons why you are keeping chickens at home is the eggs they give. There are chickens that are territorial with their eggs, and their area, but you have to make sure that you approach the coop calmly. Do not threaten them by aggression.
Most importantly, you have to make them safe in their coops. Predators such as hawks need to be kept away from them so that they remain calm and healthy. Parasites must always be checked before they infest everyone.
Looking for more tips on keeping chickens at home? Visit the how to raise chickens website today to discover everything you need to know and how easy it is to raise your own chicken. Separate yourself from the usual chicken owners and avoid costly mistakes, just visit: howtoraisechicken.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bob_Pearson
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3854597
How Much Space Do You Need To Keep Chickens? Try Keeping Bantams If You Are Struggling For Space
If you are considering keeping chickens as pets or just to give you eggs then you're going to need to consider how much space you have available.
In answer to the question of 'how much space do you need to keep chickens' then the answer is always going to be 'as much as possible.'
That said though if properly planned then you do not need a lot of space to keep happy, healthy and productive chickens. You do however need to follow the 5 Freedom rules and as long as you can tick these boxes then you can certainly keep chickens:
1) Freedom from thirst and hunger
2) Freedom from pain, injury and disease
3) Freedom from fear or distress
4) Freedom from any discomfort
5) Freedom to live with normal, natural behaviour
So what is the absolute minimum area that is suggested to keep chickens and be able to abide by the above rules?
Well most experts would suggest the actual coop or hen-house should allow for one square foot per chicken. So if your chicken coop was say three feet by three feet then you could comfortably house 9 chickens in this area of space.
But you will also need a chicken run for your chickens to get out and about for exercise, to scratch around and to feed. (Chickens just love to scratch around!)
There is no hard and fast rule for this area but again, most experienced chicken owners would suggest that if you were housing 6 chickens then you would need approximately six feet by 3 feet for the chicken run.
You can then consider the size of your actual chickens.
If you have a larger area of land then you would probably want to go for standard sized chickens however there is a smaller breed of chicken called a Bantam.
Many people opt for Bantams due to space restrictions and many people consider that they have better personalities than standard chickens whoever the downside is that they do lay eggs that are about half the size of a large or standard sized chicken. As far as size goes though the chickens are about 1/4 of the size of standard chickens so they are much smaller.
There are several popular breeds of Bantams, more affectionately known as 'Banties.' The three most common are the Silkie Bantam - named mainly due to the fact that their feathers are very soft and not barbed like most standard chickens.
If your are considering keeping your own Chickens then it is important to know how big to build a Chicken Run & Coop especially if you are struggling for space.
If you are short of room in your garden or back yard then you may consider keeping smaller breeds of chicken such as Bantams. Visit this website to discover much more about keeping chickens from the experts and how to Build A Chicken Run
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brad_Fairbank
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6399837
In answer to the question of 'how much space do you need to keep chickens' then the answer is always going to be 'as much as possible.'
That said though if properly planned then you do not need a lot of space to keep happy, healthy and productive chickens. You do however need to follow the 5 Freedom rules and as long as you can tick these boxes then you can certainly keep chickens:
1) Freedom from thirst and hunger
2) Freedom from pain, injury and disease
3) Freedom from fear or distress
4) Freedom from any discomfort
5) Freedom to live with normal, natural behaviour
So what is the absolute minimum area that is suggested to keep chickens and be able to abide by the above rules?
Well most experts would suggest the actual coop or hen-house should allow for one square foot per chicken. So if your chicken coop was say three feet by three feet then you could comfortably house 9 chickens in this area of space.
But you will also need a chicken run for your chickens to get out and about for exercise, to scratch around and to feed. (Chickens just love to scratch around!)
There is no hard and fast rule for this area but again, most experienced chicken owners would suggest that if you were housing 6 chickens then you would need approximately six feet by 3 feet for the chicken run.
You can then consider the size of your actual chickens.
If you have a larger area of land then you would probably want to go for standard sized chickens however there is a smaller breed of chicken called a Bantam.
Many people opt for Bantams due to space restrictions and many people consider that they have better personalities than standard chickens whoever the downside is that they do lay eggs that are about half the size of a large or standard sized chicken. As far as size goes though the chickens are about 1/4 of the size of standard chickens so they are much smaller.
There are several popular breeds of Bantams, more affectionately known as 'Banties.' The three most common are the Silkie Bantam - named mainly due to the fact that their feathers are very soft and not barbed like most standard chickens.
If your are considering keeping your own Chickens then it is important to know how big to build a Chicken Run & Coop especially if you are struggling for space.
If you are short of room in your garden or back yard then you may consider keeping smaller breeds of chicken such as Bantams. Visit this website to discover much more about keeping chickens from the experts and how to Build A Chicken Run
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brad_Fairbank
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6399837
How to Keep Chickens - The Top 3 Reasons You Need a Backyard Chicken Coop For Your Hens
If you're interested in how to keep chickens in your yard, the first thing you need to realize is that one of the most important aspects to keeping healthy chickens that produce high quality eggs, is to provide them with a safe, comfortable living space. Here are the top three reasons you need to provide your chickens with a backyard coop.
1) A coop will keep your chickens sheltered from extreme weather conditions.
Chickens are sensitive to the weather just like people are, and while chickens are a little better suited to living outdoors, they still don't like extreme weather. Too much heat, too much cold or too much dampness can all have an effect on your chickens health, and on the quality of eggs they produce. Building a coop will give your chickens shelter from the cold in the winter months, and shelter from the heat in the summer months. It'll also protect them from rain and snow.
2) A coop will keep your chickens safe from hungry predators.
There are more than a few animals commonly found in urban and suburban areas that would be more than glad to snack on your chickens. Foxes, weasels, racoons, and even common dogs, can all be a serious threat to your chickens. A dead or severely injured chicken won't produce eggs, so it's in your best interest to keep your chickens safe from such animals. A well built coop will provide exactly that protection.
3) A coop will help keep your chickens centralized in one area.
A coop is the perfect solution to keep your chickens in order. Penning them in with simple chicken wire fences is not only ineffective, but it lacks the solutions to the weather and predator problems mentioned in the last two points. A coop will keep your chickens safe and comfortable, but it also keeps them from taking over your yard! No one wants to give up their entire yard to keep chickens, so a well placed coop will allow you to have them without having to let them have the run of your yard.
There are many more reasons why it's in your best interests to keep your chickens in a good backyard coop. Coops don't have to be expensive, and in fact, can be very cheap without sacrificing quality if you opt to build it yourself. No special skills are required to build a chicken coop, just a willingness and a good set of plans and instructions. Regardless of whether you choose to buy or build though, always remember that keeping your chickens healthy and comfortable is the only way to ensure they produce high quality eggs!
For instructions on how to cheaply and easily build your own quality chicken coop, click here to check out Building a Chicken Coop. This guide will provide you with easy to follow plans for a variety of chicken coops that are affordable, easy to construct and don't require any specialized tools!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Randy_Rhoads
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2274866
1) A coop will keep your chickens sheltered from extreme weather conditions.
Chickens are sensitive to the weather just like people are, and while chickens are a little better suited to living outdoors, they still don't like extreme weather. Too much heat, too much cold or too much dampness can all have an effect on your chickens health, and on the quality of eggs they produce. Building a coop will give your chickens shelter from the cold in the winter months, and shelter from the heat in the summer months. It'll also protect them from rain and snow.
2) A coop will keep your chickens safe from hungry predators.
There are more than a few animals commonly found in urban and suburban areas that would be more than glad to snack on your chickens. Foxes, weasels, racoons, and even common dogs, can all be a serious threat to your chickens. A dead or severely injured chicken won't produce eggs, so it's in your best interest to keep your chickens safe from such animals. A well built coop will provide exactly that protection.
3) A coop will help keep your chickens centralized in one area.
A coop is the perfect solution to keep your chickens in order. Penning them in with simple chicken wire fences is not only ineffective, but it lacks the solutions to the weather and predator problems mentioned in the last two points. A coop will keep your chickens safe and comfortable, but it also keeps them from taking over your yard! No one wants to give up their entire yard to keep chickens, so a well placed coop will allow you to have them without having to let them have the run of your yard.
There are many more reasons why it's in your best interests to keep your chickens in a good backyard coop. Coops don't have to be expensive, and in fact, can be very cheap without sacrificing quality if you opt to build it yourself. No special skills are required to build a chicken coop, just a willingness and a good set of plans and instructions. Regardless of whether you choose to buy or build though, always remember that keeping your chickens healthy and comfortable is the only way to ensure they produce high quality eggs!
For instructions on how to cheaply and easily build your own quality chicken coop, click here to check out Building a Chicken Coop. This guide will provide you with easy to follow plans for a variety of chicken coops that are affordable, easy to construct and don't require any specialized tools!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Randy_Rhoads
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