
#Chick grit windows#
Your coop needs nesting boxes (which provide a quiet, private space for hens to lay eggs), a place for all of your hens to roost off the floor, adequate ventilation, and secure doors and windows to keep out predators. Summaryīefore you decide to keep chickens, it’s important to consider factors like budget, where you live, and your level of comfort handling animals. It’s also vital that you have the right tools on hand to treat illnesses and injuries. Make sure you have a veterinarian in your area who treats chickens, though keep in mind that such specialists aren’t always easy to find. Be prepared for your birds’ illnesses and injuriesįinally, although keeping chickens is enjoyable most of the time, chickens do get sick and can pass away unexpectedly. You’ll also need funds for a coop, feed, and numerous other supplies. You must be willing to provide a safe environment for your hens with space for them to roam around and partake in natural behaviors like scratching and dust bathing (more on that later). Do you have ample space and a safe environment? Some breeds can live a decade or longer, so you should be ready to keep chickens for their entire lives. My oldest hens are over 7 years old and are still very active. Are you willing to rear chickens long-term?įirst, it’s important to understand that chickens require consistent care and live relatively long lives if they’re healthy. If you’re uncomfortable handling and caring for animals, chickens aren’t the right choice for you. If you’re interested in keeping laying hens, keep the following pointers in mind. Plus, keeping chickens is relatively easy once you get the hang of it. Keeping chickens, as well as growing vegetables and berries, also helps us feel more connected to our food. We know exactly how our chickens are treated, what they eat, and how healthy they are, which is important to us. We bought our first bunch of chicks from a local hatchery and have since raised four batches of chicks over the last 7 years. Keeping chickens and starting a backyard farm had always been a dream of ours, and we were excited to finally have the space to do so. After my husband and I purchased our first home, one of the first things we did was build a coop and run.
