Hello everyone. This is way off of my usual topic but it’s one that gives me great pleasure. My favorite hobby, raising chickens. Today’s blog will be specifically about the essentials needed in raising chickens. So, let’s begin!
Being popular today, there are numerous blogs and resources you can find on the internet about raising chickens. You will also find countless books and magazines on this topic too. However, today’s post “The Essentials of Raising Chickens” will be my own preferences, and what I’ve found worked best for me.
I spent many months researching this topic. I weighed the “Pro’s and Con’s of Raising Chicken’s” then, after overcoming the fear and uncertainty, I was able to move forward and take the plunge and begin my journey with chickens.
How To Pick The Breed of Chicken You Want To Raise
First, I focused on was what breed of chicken I wanted to raise. At this point you may have no idea. To help figure that out, ask yourself the question; what is the main reason you want to raise chickens? You may have more than one answer, but the answers will help you pick the breed.
My answer to that question was first of all, I want them as pets. Second, I want fresh eggs. By asking myself that question, I figured out the 3 criteria I was looking for in a breed:
- Friendliest – I wanted an affectionate bird that I could also consider a pet
- A breed that could tolerate the climate where I lived
- Good egg production
The Necessities For Newborn Chicks
Once I established the breed, I began researching the needs the chicks would have to become healthy and content chickens.
One thing I found out from other newbies and I strongly suggest, is having everything you need set up before the chicks come through your door. Otherwise, you’ll have a lot of stress and quite a mess to deal with on a daily basis.
Below I made a list of the basic essentials you will need before bringing your new chicks home (and I’ll talk about each topic as we go).
- Brooder – a heated house for chicks
- Brooder heater
- Litter
- Water and Food Container
- Starter Grower Feed
- Electrolytes
Now that the list is complete. I’d like to briefly talk about each one on the list, and the products I chose to use.
Picking A Brooder When Raising Chickens
Starting with the brooder: Eventually, as they grow you will have to make necessary adjustment to their housing. I used 3 different brooders before they entered the actual coop.
The first one I used was a 50 gallon plastic bin and covered it with a screen that was from one of my windows. I only used this for a couple of weeks. There are some tutorials on line that will say different. However, I knew it was time for a bigger one when the chicks begin stepping over each other, and the water and food containers continued to get knocked over.
Second brooder I used was a dog kennel, I had it from when my dog Luke was a puppy. It was a perfect size at the time and it had a removable tray for a floor, making it easy to clean. One of the downfalls of the kennel/crate was it had no solid sides, it was more like a cage. And the openings were too big. Because of that, it would be an easy escape for the chicks (look for a future blog to see the solutions I had for the challenges with each brooder I had.)
My third and final brooder was a challenge. I wasn’t quite sure what I was going to use that was big enough to hold my now 6 week old chicks. It wasn’t until, I visited my local grocery store and fixed my eyes on an empty watermelon box that I solved my dilemma. It was the perfect size box, just what they needed. So, I went to the manager of the store and asked for permission to take the box. On her approval, I broke it down fit it into my SUV and off I went.
At the time I was so excited to have a big knew home for my girls (my Chicks). Unfortunately, it came with some knew challenges too, and my excitement soon cooled down.
With all the challenges each brooder presented, I was thankful God gave me wisdom on how to make them into good homes for my chicks.
Please feel free to email me for more details on each brooder I used. Or wait for my brooder blog to be published.
Choosing A Safe Brooder Heater For Your Chickens
Moving on to the brooder heater. When I researched this topic, I realized this was a real important one to get right. Not only could it be dangerous for the baby chicks but also for the safety of my own family.
One way to heat the brooder is with a heat lamp. But after reading numerous times how that product over heated the chicks and caused fires, I knew that was not the product for me. I didn’t feel the need to add more stress to my life by worrying about those potential dangers. So, I went with the low wattage flat-panel poultry coop heater.
What I liked most about the product is how the height can be adjusted as the chicks grew. Also, it gives the chicks an option to go under it when they are cold and remove themselves from the heat when they get too warm.
Odor Control Litter
When chicks are only a couple of days old, some people choose only paper towels to absorb their excrement. I did try it but unfortunately it didn’t work as good as I would’ve liked. For whatever reason, it wasn’t as clean as the YouTube video’s I watched portrayed it to be. So, I chose the Grounds Recycled Coffee.
Recycled coffee grounds were a great product. Not only did it help with odor, I enjoyed the smell of coffee. It was also easy to scoop and remove the feces. I used a kitty litter scoop, and cleaned it out every morning. The scoop, allowed for minimal waist of the litter.
If you are raising your newborn chicks inside your home, choose you litter carefully. Certain products repel odors better than others.
Your First Water and Food Containers
Moving down the list. For the water and food containers, I went very basic. I bought the smallest feeder and watering containers from our local rural lifestyle retail store. One important thing to keep in mind while choosing your first water container; make sure the water is not too deep. You don’t want them to fall in and drown.
Healthy Food For Your Chicks
When my kids were young, I tried to teach them the importance of choosing healthy foods. I would say to them “you are what you eat” and I still believe that today.
One of the most important essentials of raising chickens is the food they eat. If you want healthy chicks, feed them good food which is age appropriate. Restrain from giving them snacks and scraps. Until, their bodies grow healthy and strong from the nutrients they need from the “chick starter grower feed.”
The starter feed comes medicated or unmedicated. I chose the medicated for a few reasons: Chicks are shipped from a hatchery to a store, then kept in a brooder with numerous other chicks. And being unaware of the last time it was cleaned, I felt more confident giving them extra protection against sickness or disease. However, there are various oponions on this topic so do what you feel is best for your chicks.
Last on the list, but not the least is the electrolytes. Again, erring on the side of caution; I wanted to take as many precautions as I could to ensure healthy chickens. Keeping hydrated is a very important task for any living being. Especially when they are only a few days old, and go without food and water while they are being shipped to a store.
Many people frown on buying chicks from a local store, and will only by from a hatchery. My opinion is, everyone needs a home. But again, these are only my opinions. Do your own research, and follow your heart.
I hope this was helpful in starting your new journey of raising chickens.
I would love to hear your opinions, and experiences on this precious topic. You can email me at Inspiredtalktoday@gmail.com or share in the comment section.
Have a blessed day.
Related Post: “The Pros And Cons Of Raising Chickens”
