Chicken Raising and Caring: A Beginner's Guide to Raising Your Backyard Chickens

Chicken Raising and Caring A Beginner's Guide to Raising Your Backyard Chickens

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Norman Nelson

PUBLIS!" BY#

Norman Nelson

Co$yright % &(&

All rights reser*ed+

No $art o, this $u-lication may -e co$ied. re$roduced in any ,ormat. -y any means. electronic or other/ise. /ithout $rior consent ,rom the co$yright o/ner and $u-lisher o, this -ook+





















































0a-le o, Contents

Raising Backyard Chickens Part I 1 Raising and Caring ,or Chickens Cha$ter ( 1 Ad*antages o, Chicken RaisingA Potted 0imeline o, Chickens as Li*estockShould I 2ee$ 3y 4/n Chickens5Reasons Not 0o 2ee$ Chickens6hat Are 0he Ad*antages 4, 2ee$ing Your 4/n Chickens5Your Res$onsi-ilities as a Chicken 2ee$er Cha$ter &# Chicken 7S$eak8 1 Common 0erms Use in Chicken RaisingCha$ter 9# Chicken Biology3ating : RitualsInsemination : Im$regnationIncu-ationCha$ter ;# Choosing the Right Breed ,or You 0i$s in Choosing the Right Breed ,or YouCha$ter <# 4$timum Coo$ Conditions Conditions6hat Should Be Inside Your Chicken Coo$0o$ 0i$s to Saniti=ing Your Chicken Coo$ Cha$ter ># Coo$ Sa,etyCha$ter ?# "i,,erent 0y$es o, @eeds ,or Your ChickensCha$ter # 0i$s on Introducing Ne/ 3em-ers to Your !isting @lockCha$ter # 2ee$ing Your Chickens in Good ealthCha$ter (# Common Chicken "iseases and o/ to 0reat 0hemCha$ter ((# Checklist o, "aily Chores as a Poultry 2ee$erCha$ter (&# 0o @reeDRange. Go 4rganic or Not5 @reeDRange4rga @reeDRange4rganicIs nicIs It Right @or You5

Part II 1 Building Your Chicken Coo$ Cha$ter (9# 0o$ 0i$s ,or Chicken Coo$ "esignCha$ter (;# 3aterials to Use ,or Your Chicken Coo$6hat Are 0he "i,,erent 0y$es 4, 3aterials You Can Use 0o Build A Chicken Coo$50o "IY. Use A 2it. Buy 4,, the Shel, or Ada$t A Building56hat 0y$e 4, @looring Is Best @or A Chicken Coo$56hat 0y$e 4, Bedding Should You Use In Your Chicken Coo$50he Bene,its and Perils o, Chicken 6ireCha$ter (<# A Selection o, Plans and "esigns ,or a Chicken Coo$Starter Coo$Chicken 0ractor Coo$3o-ile 0ractor Chicken Coo$7Green8 Garden Coo$ @oot E D@oot Coo$ and Run; @oot E D@oot Coo$ and Run@reeDRange Coo$Chicken ArkChicken ouse"esigning and Building the Coo$ Yoursel,Purchasing the "IY 2it /ith PlansBuying 4,, the Shel, Cha$ter

(># Basic Skills.

3aterials and 0ools You Need 0o "esign and Build Your 4/n Coo$ Basic Car$entry Skills ReFuired3aterials You Need @or Your Coo$ and Run0he 0ools You Need 0o Build Your Coo$ and Run Cha$ter (?# o/ to Source Chea$ Building 3aterials6hat are the Sa,e 3aterials You Could Use 6hen Building a Chicken Coo$5 Cha$ter (# o/ 3uch You Should S$end on 3aterials ,or Your Chicken Coo$5o/ 3uch You Should S$end on 3aterials5o/ to Sa*e on Your Chicken Coo$Cha$ter (# List o, the 3ost "ura-le 3aterials ,or Your Chicken Coo$ 6here to Get the 3aterials ,rom5Cha$ter &# 0he 3aterials You Need 0o 3ake a Nest Bo 3aterials reFuiredCha$ter &(# 0he 3aterials You Need 0o Insulate Insulate the Chicken Coo$sCha$ter &&# 0he Roo,ing 3aterials ,or Your Chicken Coo$Cha$ter &9# o/ to @ind Chea$ Po/er 0oolsCha$ter &;# 0he Best Brands o, Chicken Coo$ Building 0oolsCha$ter &<# Smart 0i$s to Pre*ent Pre*ent You ,rom Buying the the 6rong Chicken Coo$ 0oolsCha$ter &># o/ 0o Pro$erly Preser*e : Store Your Chicken Coo$ 0ools So 0hey 6on't Rust Right A/ayCha$ter &?# 6hy You Need Po/er 0ools and o/ to Use Po/er 0ools in Your Chicken Coo$ Building50he Need ,or Po/er 0ools Cha$ter &# Using Po/er 0ools 6hile Building a Chicken Coo$

















































































Part I 1 Raising and Caring ,or Chickens





























Cha$ter ( 1 Ad*antages o, Chicken Raising

A Potted 0imeline o, Chickens as Li*estock

Chickens /ere domesticated during the Indus alley ci*ilisation+ 0he Indus alley ci*ilisation /as a -ron=eDage ci*ilisation that /as located in the /estern region o, South Asia that /e no/ kno/ as north/est India. Pakistan and A,ghanistan+ A,ghanistan+ @rom this area. the domesticated chicken then s$read into A,rica A,rica and !uro$e+ !uro$e+ 0here is some contro*ers contro*ersyy regarding regarding /hen domesticated domesticated chickens chickens actually arri*ed arri*ed in the Americas+ Americas+ 0here is e*idence that suggests suggests that they may ha*e -een -rought through the Polynesian Islands to Chile around (9< A". yet other e*idences suggest that they /ere -rought -y the S$anish ConFuistadors+

0hese 0hese ,irst ,irst domest domestica icated ted chickens chickens are descended descended ,rom more more than than one /il /ild d s$ecies s$ecies -ut a signi,icant mutation is ,rom the red Hungle ,o/l+

"uring the early timeline. chickens /ere ke$t $rimarily ,or their meat the eggs /ere Hust a -yD $roduc $roductt to -e consum consumed+ ed+ No/ada No/adays. ys. chickens chickens are the most most domest domestica icated ted animals animals in the /orld+ /orld+ 0here are in ecess ecess o, &; -illion o, them /orld/id /orld/ide e -eing reared domestic domestically+ ally+ 3ost modern day -reeds come ,rom !ngland. America and the 3editerranean+

Should I 2ee$ 3y 4/n Chickens5

3ost $eo$le decide to kee$ chickens ,or the ,ollo/ing reasons#

J J J

Chickens as as a $et or ho--y 2no/ing the ,ood chain ,or ,ood that are consumed consumed in the household household Im$ro*ed $oultry /el,are standards





























may-e local regulations that $re*ent you ,rom kee$ing chickens in certain areas such as city centres centres or in hea*ily industriali industrialised sed regions+ Your national national go*ernment go*ernment /e-site /ill -e a use,ul source o, in,ormation to get to your local regulations and the de$artment that o*ersees ,ood and en*ironment en*ironmental al issues+ Al/ays Al/ays check this out ,irst it /ill sa*e you a lot o, time and $ossi-ly $ossi-ly money+

Secondly. Secondly. you need s$ace to kee$ chickens+ You need s$ace ,or the chicken coo$ and also also a suita-le suita-le area ,or them to mo*e around in and get $hysical eercise. eercise. kno/n as the run+ !ach chicken does not need a large amount o, s$ace -ut do consider /hat you ha*e a*aila-le es$ecially es$ecially -e,ore deciding deciding on the num-er num-er o, chickens chickens you /ill kee$+ Chickens Chickens also $roduce manure and you need to either use it yoursel,. ,ind a local gardener /ho can $ut it to use or dis$ose o, it res$onsi-ly in accordance /ith your local regulations+

3ake sure that no-ody in your household is a,raid o, -irds+ 0his can -e a $ro-lem+ As once you start start asking. you may-e sur$rised sur$rised at the num-er o, $eo$le /ho ha*e this $ho-ia+ $ho-ia+ Also. it is really really im$ortant im$ortant that you talk to your neigh-ours+ neigh-ours+ Your decision decision to kee$ chickens chickens /ill a,,ect them in some /ay+ In most instances instances it is the smell K/hich you can mitigate mitigate and /e /ill talk a-out this this later in the re$ort and noise+ 0he /orst thing thing you can do is get chickens and not ha*e s$oken /ith your neigh-ours a-out it this /ill most likely u$set them at -est or start a destructi*e relationshi$ at /orst+ /orst+ 6ho kno/s. your neigh-ours may /ant /ant to go into the $roHect /ith you and you could share the res$onsi-ilit res$onsi-ility. y. -oth /el,are and ,inancial+ ,inancial+ Also. Also. the lure o, ,resh eggs a cou$le o, times a /eek /ill most $ro-a-ly -e too tem$ting tem$ting to resist+ It is al/ays good to talk ,irst and start your $roHect a,ter that con*ersation+

a*ing a*ing chicken chickenss is like ha*ing ha*ing $ets+ $ets+ 6hen 6hen you go a/ay ,rom home they need to -e ,ed and gi*en /ater /ater and you need someone to ste$ into your shoes and do this+ 3ake sure you ha*e this angle sorted -e,ore you make the decision to $roceed /ith your $roHect+

6e cannot consider the reasons /hy not to ha*e chickens /ithout addressing the issue o, A*ian A*ian @lu. also kno/n as Bird Bird @lu @lu++ A*ian A*ian @lu is a contag contagiou iouss diseas disease e o, -irds. -irds. caused caused -y the in,luen=a in,luen=a A *irus+ It can cause a range o, sym$toms sym$toms ,rom mild ,lu /ith *ery lo/ mortality mortality to a





























&+ Lack o, s$ace s$ace ,or a chicken coo$ and and outside outside s$ace ,or the -irds -irds ,or their their $hysical $hysical acti*ity 9+ Suita-le Suita-le dis$osa dis$osall o, chicken chicken /aste. /aste. i+e+# i+e+# manure manure ;+ Anyone Anyone in your household household that that is -ird $ho-ic $ho-ic or neigh-our neigh-our dis$utes dis$utes <+ No-ody No-ody to ,eed. /ater and and care ,or your chickens chickens /hilst /hilst you are a/ay ,rom ,rom home >+ I, there has has -een an e$idemic e$idemic o, A*ian @lu. @lu. the timing timing o, your decision decision to kee$ chickens chickens needs to -e care,ully considered 6hat Are 0he Ad*antages 4, 2ee$ing Your 4/n Chickens5 J

Chickens as as a $et or ho--y

Chickens as $ets are ,airly easy to look a,ter a,ter and go through many stages o, de*elo$ment+ de*elo$ment+ 0his is $articularly the case i, you get the chickens ,rom young. you /ill see them. in the ,irst si months or so going through a *ariety o, changes as they de*elo$ their /attles and com-s and your your hens hens -egin -egin to lay+ lay+ I, there are children children in your your househ household old.. it is an ecellen ecellentt /ay to intr introd oduc uce e them them to natu nature re and and sust sustai aina na-l -le e li*i li*ing ng++ You You can can incl includ ude e the the chil childr dren en in the the maintenance o, the chickens and make it a ,un e$erience ,or e*eryone in your household+

Some $eo$le really enHoy kee$ing and -reeding ,ancy -reeds o, chickens that they can sho/ at their rural rural or agricultur agricultural al sho/s+ Some o, the -reeds are truly s$ectacular s$ectacular in a$$earance a$$earance /ith -rightly coloured $lumage+ Chickens are a$$ealing and undemanding little creatures+ 

2no/ing your ,ood chain

In this day and age o, mass $roduced. arti,icially modi,ied and gro/n ,ood $roducts. there is a real attractio attraction n in kno/ing kno/ing /here some o, the ,ood consumed consumed in your house originates originates ,rom+ ,rom+ I, you get the chickens chickens /hen they are young. young. you can control /hat you ,eed them. the amount o, room and eercise eercise that they get during during the day so that they they are 7ha$$y8 chickens+ chickens+ You kno/ you /ill get a su$erior $roduct -ecause the chickens ha*e not -een $um$ed /ith /ater or chemicals to increase their gro/th arti,icially or $roduce more eggs+

J

Im$ro*ed $oultry /el,are standards





























into a smaller $ercentage and i, you look at /here the sa*ings are going to -e made. the easiest $lace is $oultry $oultry /el,are+ /el,are+ I am not suggesting suggesting that regulatio regulations ns are -eing -roken+ -roken+ o/e*er. o/e*er. regulations are the minimum standard o, /el,are and in the search ,or $ro,it $oultry /el,are /ill not -e at the to$ o, the list o, $riorities to im$ro*e+

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Im$ro*ed nutritional sa,ety and -ene,its

It has -een scienti,ically $ro*en that chickens that ha*e a controlled and *aried diet $ro*ide -etter -etter nutritional nutritional *alue so that your eggs /ill $ro*ide you /ith a healthier healthier diet+ !ggs contain contain ,olic acid. itamin itamin A and itamin itamin B(&. /hich are essential essential ,or a healthy -ody+ 0he *aried diet that you $ro*ide to your home reared chickens /ill $ro*ide you /ith these essential minerals and *itamins+ *itamins+ Producers Producers o, -attery -attery and ,reeDrange ,reeDrange $oultry $oultry can choose to administer administer hormone hormone and anti-iotics to enhance their ,lock+ 

Sustaina-le li*ing

2ee$ing 2ee$ing your o/n ,lock o, chickens chickens is one ste$ closer to li*ing a sustaina-le sustaina-le li,e+ 0he ,ood that ends u$ on our $lates $lates has an astonishing astonishing num-er o, ,ood miles that highlights highlights our de$endency de$endency and need ,or ,ood to -e im$orted im$orted ,rom around the /orld+ /orld+ a*ing a*ing eggs that are $roduced at home home redu reduce cess the the ,ood ,ood miles miles on your your $late+ $late+ You You also also kno/ kno/ that that the the eggs eggs are are o, good good nutritional *alue as your chickens ha*e -een ,ed a *aried and healthy diet ,ree o, chemicals to increase increase $roduction+ $roduction+ 4n a*erage. home reared reared chicken eggs are a lot healthier healthier ,or you as they contain#

(9 less cholesterol

(; less saturated ,at

&9 more *itamin A































2ee$ing your o/n chickens at home /ill $ro*ide a modest sa*ing on your grocery -ill -ecause you do not ha*e to $ay high $rices ,or good Fuality eggs and meat+

Your Res$onsi-ilities as a Chicken 2ee$er

2ee$ing 2ee$ing chickens domesticall domesticallyy comes /ith res$onsi-i res$onsi-ilitie litiess as /ith any $et+ ere is a list o, the things that you should do -e,ore getting your chickens+  Any regulations and legal reFuirements @ind out /hat the legal reFuirements are in your countrylocal area ,or kee$ing domesticated chickens+ You can -e ,airly certain that that there /ill either -e /el,are andor andor en*ironmental regulations that you ha*e to a-ide -y locally+ 0he chances are that you /ill -e -e assessed on a regular -asis and there -e /ill ,ines associated associated /ith noncom$liance+ @inding out /hat these these regulations and reFuirements -e,ore you em-ark on your $roHect /ill sa*e you considera-le time. aggra*ation and money+  ousing the chickens 0he chances are that the chicken house Kkno/n as the coo$ is going to -e the most e$ensi*e $art o, your $roHect+ 6here*er you li*e in the /orld. you do need some ty$e o, housing ,or your chickens+ It is /orth remem-ering t/o t/o things /ith chicken coo$s. the the sim$ler the design the -etter it is ,or your coo$ occu$ants. and you do get /hat you $ay ,or /ith coo$s. $articularly /ooden ones+ 0here are a multitude o, designs and se*eral di,,erent di,,erent ty$es o, materials that you can choose ,or your coo$+ 6ood is the most common. common. and also you /ill ,ind a lot o, di,,erent designs+ designs+ 0his is $rimarily -ecause -ecause /ood is ,airly easy and chea$ chea$ to source.































they donOt need a lot o, s$ace. a$$roimately  to ( sFuare ,eet o, run $er -ird /ill -e Fuite su,,icient+ 0he run can -e an etension o, the the chicken coo$. and all you /ill need to to do is lock your ,lock into their coo$ at night to kee$ them sa,e ,rom ,rom $redators+ 0he run that you $ro*ide them needs to -e secure to kee$ $redators out. so it is ad*isa-le to -ury small holed chicken /ire at least & ,eet -elo/ ground+  6hat you need to ,eed your chicken Your ,lock /ill need a -alanced diet that it high in all the nutrients. *itamins. and minerals that they reFuire to stay healthy healthy and ha$$y+ 3ost domestically reared chickens are are ,ed a com-ination o, 7one ,eeds8 /hich contain e*erything that they need to -e healthy and $roduce good Fuality eggs+ 0he one ,eeds can -e $ut into dis$ensers dis$ensers that the chickens /ill /ill $eck at to get out /hat they need+ 3ake sure that there are are an adeFuate num-er o, ,eed dis$ensers a*aila-le ,or the num-er num-er in your ,lock+ As $art o, their diet. you need to thro/ them them some corn. may-e onto the run ,loor+ 0his is kno/n as as 7scratch8. /hich your chickens /ill lo*eQ 0hey also need a regular su$$ly o, grit that they need to grind do/n ,ood Khens donOt ha*e teeth and oyster shells /hich gi*e them calcium so that the eggs are strong+ 0here is some de-ate /hether ta-le ta-le scra$s are good ,or your $oultry+ In days gone -y. ta-le scra$s /ere a common ,eed ,or domestically reared chickens. -ut it /onOt really -e enough to kee$ them ha$$y and healthy+ "o gi*e them ta-le scra$s. -ut al/ays in moderation+ 0here are some ty$es o, ,oods that you must a*oid gi*ing your ,lock as they cannot -e digested or can turn toic as it tra*els through their system+  Gi*e them $lenty o, /ater 0his is essential ,or your ,lock and it needs to -e ,resh+ 0here,ore. de$ending on the /eather /eather conditions. you need to consider changing the /ater su$$ly a cou$le o, times a day ,or your chickens+ A chicken egg contains o*er >






























ha*e any s$ecial $re,erence to the colour o, the eggs in your -asket5 I, you do choose to ha*e some o, the more ,ancy -reeds. then remem-er that you may need to s$end a reasona-le amount o, time to source them and then tra*el to collect them+  0he num-er o, chickens that you should get ,or your ,lock Again. similar to selecting the -reed o, chicken. this can -e Fuite a daunting as$ect o, your $roHect+ 0here is no 7$er,ect8 num-er o, chickens to start /ith+It is all a-out /hat you /ant to do. and here too it is /orth making a checklist o, the things that you need to consider -e,ore making the ,inal decision on the num-er o, chickens that you ha*e domestically+ Also kee$ in mind that /hen you looked into the rules and regulations. you may ha*e -een restricted to the num-er o, chickens that you can kee$ at home in some areas+ areas+ I, this is the case. then then it /ill hel$ to sha$e your decision+ h+ 6hat do you /ant ,rom the -irds5 ust eggs. meat. do you /ant to -reed them. or $erha$s sho/ them at agricultural sho/s5i+ o/ many eggs to you e$ect to ha*e each day5H+ o/ much s$ace do you ha*e in the coo$ and the run ,or the chickens -earing in mind the s$ace recommended earlier in this eD-ook5k+ 6hat is your -udget ,or $urchasing the chickens5l+ "o you /ant to get your ,lock at > /eeks or earlier5m+ o/ much time can you allocate to looking a,ter and maintaining your ,lock5

Chicken Chickenss are social social little little -irds -irds and do not thri*e thri*e /ell /ell on their o/n+ I, a,ter ans/eri ans/ering ng your your checklist. you are still not a-le to come u$ /ith the ans/er to ho/ many chickens you /ant to kee$. there is a rule o, thum- that says that & chickens /ill su$$ly the a*erage ,amily /ith their egg needs+ needs+ I, you really really lo*e lo*e eggs. eggs. then get 9 chi chicke ckens+ ns+ RememRemem-er er though though that the -est a$$roach a$$roach is to get all your chickens in one go+ Introducin Introducing g ne/ stock to eisting eisting ,locks can -e challenging and time consuming+ consuming+ 0here,ore it is ad*isa-le to consider consider this issue /hen deciding on the ,inal num-er o, chickens that you /ill rear domestically+































Cha$ter &# Chicken 7S$eak8 1 Common 0erms Use in Chicken Raising 4nce you start to talk a-out kee$ing chickens at home e*en on a modest scale. youOll ,eel like you ha*e entered another another dimension /ith the di,,erent di,,erent terms and $hrases that are used+ 0his section /ill hel$ you to na*igate your /ay through the terminology o, the chicken anatomy that you /ill see re,erred re,erred to re$eat re$eatedl edlyy in this this eDeD-ook ook and other other $u-lic $u-licati ations ons++ 0here 0here are t/o diag diagra rams ms /ith /ith the the *ari *ariou ouss sect sectio ions ns o, the the chic chicken ken and and /hat /hat the the chi chicke cken n anat anatom omyy is like like eternally and internally. again /ith their names+































































Cha$ter9# Chicken Biology

You may ha*e reached the decision that you /ant to mate. incu-ate and hatch chickens as $art o, your your chi chicken cken kee$ing kee$ing ho--y+ ho--y+ In most most instan instances ces.. ,irst ,irst time $oultr $oultryy kee$ers kee$ers are not so ad*enturous -ut as you -ecome more con,ident. you may decide that this is something that you /ould like to start doing+ It does take more time. e,,ort and ,unding to mate. incu-ate incu-ate and hatch your o/n chickens so these are things that you must -e a-le to commit to -e,ore you start+

3ating : Rituals

You need to ha*e a cockerel Kalso kno/n as a rooster rooster to mate /ith your hens+ 0he cockerel

































humidity. and mo*ement to ,acilitate hatching+  Incu-ating the natural /ay Using a -roody hen is the most natural /ay to incu-ate ,ertili=ed eggs as she /ill then hatch and rear the chicks /ith little little inter*ention ,rom you+ o/e*er. not all -reeds o, chickens -ecome -roody Kmany that are -red ,or meat and eggs ha*e had this -red out o, them+ I, you ha*e a hen that is -roody. then it is most likely to -e in the s$ring and summer months+ months+ 0here is no guarantee o, success -ut it is /orth a go i, you ha*e the time and inclination to allo/ your hen to -rood o*er the egg+ 0here is no set num-er o, times times that one hen /ill -ecome -ecome -roody during the year. it Hust de$ends on the indi*idual -ird and her inclinationQ 4nce you ha*e a ,e/ eggs ready ,or incu-ation. incu-ation. $lace them under under your hen+ I, there are too many. she /ill let you kno/ and a ,e/ /ill start to come out o, the sides o*er the ,irst ,e/ hours+

0here are $lenty o, $ositi*e reasons to incu-ate naturally -ut on the do/n side you cannot hatch as many chicks under a -roody hen as you can /ith an incu-ator incu-ator and you may not ha*e a

































the eggs 9 times e*ery day to the ,ully automatic ty$e that can set the right tem$erature and humidity ,or the -reed that you ha*e /ith a sim$le $ress o, a -utton+

3ost ho--y ho--y incu-ators incu-ators hold a-out &< standard standard si=e hen eggs+ 0here are t/o main ty$es o, incu-ators. still air air and ,orced air+ 0he di,,erence -et/een these t/o is the the ,an+

In a still air incu-ator. there is no ,an+ 0he heat ,orms layers inside the incu-ator so that the tem$eratu tem$erature re is di,,erent di,,erent -et/een -et/een the to$ and the -ottom o, the machine+ You need to take care /hen you are setting u$ the incu-ator. as the tem$erature at the centre o, the egg should -e eact eactly ly righ right+ t+ 0he 0he eact eact tem$ tem$er erat atur ure e ,or ,or chi chicke cken n eggs eggs is 9?+< 9?+< degr degrees ees Cels Celsiu ius+ s+ 0he 0he tem$erature at the height o, the to$ o, the hatching egg is /hat you need to measure /ith any *ariations -eing a$$lied according to the manu,acturerOs instructions+

In ,orced air incu-ators. a ,an circulates the air around the de*ice that kee$s the tem$erature constant e*ery/here inside+

































3ost hens /ill start start to lay eggs /hen they are are a-out > months o, age+ 0here are some en*ironmental ,actors that that could a,,ect this a*erage+ a*erage+ @or eam$le. i, your hen matures matures during the /inter /hen it is cold and dark. she may start to lay later than > months+ months+ Also the si=e o, the -reed is another ,actor that a,,ects the start o, egg laying+ laying+ 0he larger -reeds /ill generally start to lay later+  o/ long do chickens li*e5 0he general rule o, thum- is that most -reeds o, chicken /ill li*e ,or < years. -ut there are some -reeds that /ill make it to -et/een  to ( years+ years+ 0here are many en*ironmental ,actors ,actors that a,,ect the li,e s$an s$an o, your chickens such as their their general health and /ellD-eing+ /ellD-eing+ 0he num-er o, eggs that are $roduced reduces. as your chicken gets gets older+ 0he general reduction is a-out a (M decrease ,or e*ery year o, li,e+  6hen do chickens start to mate53ost -reeds o, chicken /ill start to mate -et/een  to ( months ho/e*er. there are some some that mate as early as < months+ 0he cockerel Kalso kno/n as the rooster is reFuired to ,ertili=e the egg+ An egg /ill not hatch into a -a-y chick unless the cockerel mates /ith the hen+  o/ long does an egg gro/ inside the hen -e,ore she lays it5It takes a-out &> hours ,or the hen to make an egg and then lay it+  o/ long do you ha*e to /ait -e,ore an egg hatches5!ggs should take a$$roimately &( days to hatch a,ter you ha*e started to incu-ate them or the hen has -egun to 7set+8

































 Is there such a thing as 7$ecking order85 Yes there is+ All ,locks o, chickens /ill ha*e a /ellDde,ined order and yours /ill -e no ece$tion+ 0he chicken at the to$ o, the $ecking order /ill get ,ood. /ater and access to the dust -ath -e,ore the others+ 0he $ecking order is inherited ,rom their ancestors and goes goes -ack to their -asic instinct to sur*i*e. /hich is that the strongest sur*i*es+  6hen /ill your chickens start to 7molt85 3oulting is a natural natural $rocess -y /hich your chickens rene/ their their ,eathers+ 3oulting tends to start in autumn /hen the amount o, daylight reduces+ You /ill notice that egg $roduction declines markedly+ 0his is a natural /ay /ay in /hich the re$roducti*e system system o, your chicken has a com$lete rest ,rom laying and she re-uilds her reser*es o, minerals and nutrients+ nutrients+ 3ost adult hens /ill moult once a year -ut there are some that that /ill moult t/ice+ 0here are a ,e/ -reeds that /ill moult once e*ery t/o years+  "o roosters need to -e se$arated /hen they are /ith the $ullets5 I, you ha*e roosters that ha*e gro/n u$ together then they should -e used to each other and get along+ 0his is e*en i, one is a -antam and the other other a standard+ o/e*er. it is im$ortant im$ortant that you kee$ an eye on them. as they may need se$arating. as they get older+



































Cha$ter ;# Choosing the Right Breed ,or You

0here are o*er ; -reeds o, chickens and in all ,airness this num-er makes it di,,icult to decide dec ide /hich one to kee kee$ $ domest domestica ically llyQQ Listed Listed -elo/ is an al$ha-et al$ha-etica icall list list o, the most common common -reeds in the /orld that are reasona-le reasona-le easy to source+ source+ o/e*er. o/e*er. $lease note that this is not a com$lete list o, all the di,,erent chicken -reeds that eist+



















































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































$ositioning o, your coo$ and run is *ery im$ortant+ !$osure to natural sunlight is essential to $ro*ide your chickens /ith *itamin " that they need ,or health and /ellD-eing 6orm your chickens t/ice a year !nsure that the -reeder that you get your chicks ,rom has *accinated them su,,iciently ,or common $oultry $ro-lems -e,ore you take them home @ind a *et -e,ore your chickens ,all ill+ a*ing selected a *et. i, anything anything goes /rong you can get in touch *ery Fuickly



























Cha$ter (# Common Chicken "iseases and o/ to 0reat 0hem

0he list o, actual diseases that your chicken could get is long -ut there are only a ,e/ that are comm common on enou enough gh to /arr /arran antt a me ment ntio ion n in this this eBoo eBook+ k+ "ise "iseas ases es must must -e re,e re,err rred ed to a *eterinarian and in some cases re$orted to your local en*ironmentalagricultural agency+  Pneumoence$halitis# 0his is sometimes called 7Ne/castle "isease8 and is a serious res$iratory disease+ It can -e $assed to humans and other animals and it needs urgent urgent attention i, your ,lock -ecome contaminated+ contaminated+ 0here is no kno/n treatment ,or ,or this disease -ut the -est /ay to kee$ it ,rom s$reading is to isolate your ,lock ,rom the in,ected -irds and increase sanitation to sto$ it ,rom -eing transmitted transmitted any/here else+ 0his increased sanitation also a$$lies to you. /hen you ha*e -een /ith the in,ected -irds. change. /ash your clothing and -athe -e,ore entering your house or the coo$ o, una,,ected una,,ected -irds+ Some signs o, $neumoence$halitis include nasal discharge. di,,iculty -reathing. s/elling to the ,ace. $aralysis. trem-ling and a t/isted head or neck+ 0his disease has a *ery high mortality rate. as it is airD -orne+ Your *et needs to to -e ke$t u$dated u$dated o, the health health o, your ,lock+ e may decide to to administer anti-iotics to $re*ent secondary illness in healthy -irds+  Botulism# 0his ha$$ens /hen your chickenOs ,eed o,, s$oilt or rottenmouldy ,ood+ 0he ,irst sym$tom o, the disease is usually $aralysis that starts in the legs and /ings. /hich make them. a$$ear uncoordinated+ 0his ra$idly mo*es to the head. neck and res$iratory res$iratory system+ A chicken /ith -otulism can -e dead /ithin (& hours it is a ,ast and relentless relentless killer+ It is im$ortant that i, you ha*e a case o, -otulism that you remo*e all deaddecaying carcasses Fuickly to $re*ent other ,lock mem-ers ,rom $ecking at the -ody+ You can treat this disease /ith an antitoin ,rom ,rom your *et -ut it is e$ensi*e+ I, you notice that your chicken has this disease early. you could try dissol*ing one teas$oon o, !$som salts in one ounce o, /ater and using a di$$er. dri$ it into the chickenOs cro$ se*eral times a day+  Cro$ im$action# It is caused -y -uildDu$ o, ,ood in the cro$+ Chickens ha*e no teeth there,ore they use a -ag in the lo/er section o, their neck to hold gritty su-stances to -reak u$ the ,ood -e,ore $assing it to the gi==ard+ You can hel$ /ith this disease -y soaking small $ieces o, -read in oli*e oil and ,eeding it to your chickens+ 0he oil /ill lu-ricate the lum$ lum$ in the cro$+ 3assage the cro$ to loosen u$ the -roken material+ "o this routine at least t/ice a day until you cannot ,eel a lum$ in the cro$+ You can $re*ent cro$ im$action ,rom ha$$ening -y $ro*iding $lenty o, grit ,or your chickens to eat+  A*ian,o/l $o# Comes in t/o di,,erent ,orms. 7dry ,orm8 and 7/et ,orm8+ 0he dry ,orm looks similar to /arts on ,eatherless areas o, the the -ird such as the legs+ It takes a cou$le o, /eeks ,or the lesions to sca- u$ and heal -ut during this time your chicken /ill -ecome thin and may die ,rom dehydration dehydration and lack o, eating+ 0he /et ,orm a$$ears in the the mucous mem-ranes o, the mouth mouth and throat+ 0he lesions are canker sore ty$es and and the greatest concern is the chickenOs air/ays may may -ecome -lock until the lesions disa$$ear+ disa$$ear+ 0his can take a cou$le o, /eeks and during this time your chicken /ill -e una-le to eat $ro$erly due to sores in the mouth and throat+ throat+ @o/l $o is contracted through in,ected chickens or ,rom mosFuitoes+ mosFuitoes+ Al/ays kee$ in,ected chickens isolated and /ater areas clean and dry to $re*ent mosFuitoes



























rodents+ It can also -e carried on contaminated contaminated soil. ,ood. /ater. /ater. eFui$ment. shoes and and clothing+ Your chickens /ill ha*e greenish yello/ diarrhoea. diarrhoea. /ith -reathing di,,iculties. di,,iculties. s/ollen Hoints. darkened head and /attles+ "eath comes Fuickly to the -ird /ith ,o/l cholera+ 0here is no kno/n treatment and you must destroy all the the in,ected -irds+ 0here is a *accine a*aila-le -ut internationally. this is only administered -y go*ernment sanctioned de$artments+  In,ectious corysa# is a -acterial disease that s/ells the head. com-s and /attles o, the chicken+ 0he eyes s/ell so much that they shut. there is a sticky discharge ,rom the nose and eyes. a moist area under the /ings and you /ill ,ind that egg laying sto$s com$letely+ com$letely+ It is transmitted through carrier -irds. -irds. contaminated sur,aces and /ater+ Chickens that contract in,ectious corysa need to -e destroyed as they remain carriers ,or li,e and there is no *accine a*aila-le+  0hrush# is a /hite cheesy su-stance in the cro$. ru,,led ,eathers. droo$y looking -irds that lay $oorly /ith an in,lamed *ent area that has a /hite crust+ It is a ,ungal disease that is contracted ,rom mouldy in ,ood. /ater or sur,aces and contaminated contaminated -irds+ It can also ha$$en i, anti-iotics are gi*en ,or another disease+ You can use an anti,ungal treatment and remo*e all mouldy ,ood. /ater and sur,aces+



























Cha$ter ((# Checklist o, "aily Chores as a Poultry 2ee$er

4n a daily -asis. they are not demanding little creatures+ 0here are ( sim$le tasks that you /ill need to undertake undertake daily to kee$ your chickens healthy and ha$$y and at most should only take a short time each day+

Remem-er that at di,,erent times o, the year. the daily tasks may *ary+



























is dam$. humid conditions /ith $oor *entilation *entilation that a,,ects their /ellD-eing+ You /ill need to make sure that they ha*e enough drinking /ater and their /aterers ha*e not ,ro=en into solid -locks+ -locks+ 0ry and check them at least t/ice during during the day. in the morning morning and as it starts to get dark+ In /inter. /inter. they may also -e susce$ti-le susce$ti-le to ,rost-ite ,rost-ite to their com- and /attle+ /attle+ You can a*oid this -y a$$lying a little amount o, $etroleum Helly to these areas e*ery ,e/ days+

In the summer or a *ery /arm climate. they /ill need more /ater and also some shade in their run+ 6atch out ,or signs o, dehydration dehydration and heat ehaustion ehaustion++ I, egg $roduction $roduction decreases decreases during the summer then you need to esta-lish the reasons Fuickly and take measures to kee$ your chickens cool+

0ry 0ry to esta esta-l -lis ish h a dail dailyy rout routin ine e /ith /ith your your chic chicke kens ns and and they they /ill /ill stay stay heal health thyy and and ha$$ ha$$yy $ro*iding you /ith a good su$$ly o, eggs+





























Cha$ter (&# 0o @reeDRange. Go 4rganic or Not5 o$e,ully. -y this stage o, reading this eBook. you /ill ha*e a ,airly good idea o, /hat you are taking taking on in deciding to kee$ chickens chickens at home+ A great a$$eal a$$eal o, chicken kee$ing is that it is one ste$ closer to li*ing a sustaina-le li,e and /e couldnOt com$lete this discussion /ithout de-ating the issue o, ,reeDrange and going organic or not+

@reeDRange

@irstl @irstly. y. /hat /hat do these these terms terms mean5 mean5 @reeDr @reeDrang ange e means means that your your chi chicken cken has access access to the outdoors outdoors rather than s$ending s$ending its entire li,e in a coo$+ 0he de,inition de,inition o, outdoors *aries *aries ,rom country country to country. country. the go*erning -ody gi*ing the certi,icatio certi,ication n and $erson to $erson+ 0o some it sim$ly means that the chicken has access to a sla- o, concrete that the coo$ sits on and is not com$elled to li*e /holly inside the nesting section o, the coo$+

As indicated earlier this is not a good /ay o, li,e ,or your chicken as she needs ,resh air. sunlight and the a-ility to mo*e around ,la$$ing ,la$$ing her /ings and clucking+ 0o others it means a lot more+ You ha*e to decide /hat you regard as ,reeDrange o, your $oultry+

!*erything that you ha*e read here indicates that you need to gi*e your chickens access to daylight. daylight. ,resh ,resh air and some ty$e o, o$en s$ace+ It isnOt realistic realistic ,or most $eo$le $eo$le /ho kee$ chickens at home to let them roam roam around in their gardens$addocks gardens$addocks or $astures+ 0he chickens are highly likely to get themsel*es into trou-le /ith $redators and $eck their /ay through your $ri=ed ,lo/ers and *egeta-les+ *egeta-les+ o/e*er. you do need to ha*e a run that is adeFuately adeFuately si=ed ,or the num-er o, chickens that you decide to kee$+

0hey 0hey /il /illl -e classi classi,ie ,ied d as ,reeDran ,reeDrange ge in most countrie countriess i, you do this+ this+ 0here 0here is *ery little little regulation /hen it comes to the legal legal de,inition o, ,reeDrange+ It is /orth s$ending a -it -it o, time onDline on your go*ernment /e-site to ,ind out the de,initions and regulations /ith regard to ,reeDrange+ Be realistic. your home reared chickens and their eggs are going to ,air much -etter -etter





























com$letely com$letely natural natural and has not -een treated treated /ith any unDnatura unDnaturall $esticides or chemicals+ chemicals+ It is not genetically altered or modi,ied and is not cloned ,ood+

Normally. it is a go*ernment agency that o*ersees the en*ironment. ,arming and ha-itat that /ill $ro*ide the de,inition o, organic+

As a rule o, thum-. to -e a-le to claim and -e certi,ied that your chickens are organic. and there,ore the eggs they $roduce. you need to -e a-le to $ro*e the ,ollo/ing#  Your chicken is not gi*en any hormones No anti-iotics ha*e -een gi*en to the chicken No $esticides or other chemicals are used in the li*ing en*ironment o, the chicken 0he chicken is ,ed only organic ,eeds ,rom a certi,ied su$$lier No $esticides are used any/here No genetically modi,ied organisms KG34Os No chemical ,ertili=ers No animal -yD$roducts Chicks are managed organically -y the -reeder /ho su$$lies your $oultry Any roaming areasruns are certi,ied as organic i, you allo/ your chickens to -e in it 0he -edding used ,or your chickens must -e organic and ,rom a certi,ied su$$lier Your chickens must -e allo/ed outdoors into the ,resh air e*eryday 0he coo$ and run cannot -e -uilt /ith any /ood that is treated and it needs to -e -ought ,rom a certi,ied su$$lier 0his is a ,airly stringent stringent test o, -eing organic+ organic+ As you can read. the chances o, you as a small scal scale e kee kee$e $err o, maki making ng the the grad grade e as an orga organi nicc egg egg $rod $roduc ucer er is ,ar ,ar grea greate terr than than a mass mass $roduction outlet+

Is It Right @or You5

So the -ig Fuestion is /hich is right ,or you. ha*ing ,reeDrange or organic chickens and eggs5

6ith ,airly ,airly little e,,ort you /ill -e classed as ,reeDrange+ ,reeDrange+ You /ill -e a small to moderate moderate scale chicken kee$er and i, you ,ollo/ the recommendations in this eBook you /ill -e ,reeDrange -y de,inition in most countries+ countries+ You are $ro*iding -etter $oultry $oultry /el,are. enHoying the -ene,its -ene,its o, kno/ kno/in ing g your your ,ood ,ood sour source ce and and ha*i ha*ing ng the the $lea $leasu sure re o, kee kee$i $ing ng thes these e unde undema mand ndin ing g and and





























acti*e acti*ely ly contri contri-ut -uting ing to im$ro* im$ro*ing ing the Fualit Fualityy o, the ,ood ,ood your your househ household old consum consumes+ es+0he 0he /el,are o, your chickens /ill -e as close to their natural ha-itat as $ossi-le and Hoining the gro/ing grou$ o, $eo$le /ho -elie*e that organic is essential ,or human /ellD-eing+





























Part II 1 Building Your Chicken Coo$





























Cha$ter (9# 0o$ 0i$s ,or Chicken Coo$ "esign In -uilding your chicken coo$. the ,irst thing you need to do is decide on the num-er o, chickens chickens that you /ill -e kee$ing+ 0his /ill determine determine the si=e. location and ty$e o, chicken coo$ that you -uild. -uy or commission commission ,or -uilding+ -uilding+ It has to -e said that ,unctionalit ,unctionalityy does come come -e, -e,ore ore ,orm /ith /ith chi chicken cken coo$s+ coo$s+ Your Your chi chicken ckenss /il /illl nee need d enough enough room ,or nestin nesting. g. roosting and eercise+ You also need to make li,e as easy ,or you as $ossi-le and here are some suggestions on ho/ to do this+ (+ 0he ty$e o, material you use ,or your chicken coo$ largely de$ends on your $re,erences -ut most are made o, /ood+ I, you use $ressure treated /ood make sure that the treatment is not toic+ 3any $ressure treated /oods ha*e ha*e chemicals used that that /ill harm your chickens+ 0he ty$es o, /ood that are most commonly used ,or chicken coo$s and runs are $ine that is sealed. cedar or red/ood+ 3ost chicken coo$s that you -uy tend to -e made o, sealed $ine+ It is chea$. e,,ecti*e and a readily a*aila-le /ood+ &+ Build a solid solid coo$ /ith /ith solid /alls. roo, and doors ,or the roosting area+ I, at at all $ossi-le raise the coo$ o,, the ground and $erha$s -uild a run that is around around the coo$+ Put in $lace a solid ,loor. as $re*iously suggested. & ,eet dee$. all round the coo$ and the run+ Also $ut some a*iary netting on the the to$ o, the coo$ roo,+ All these deterrents /ill hel$ to kee$ $redators at -ay+ 9+ a*e enough nesting -oes either side -y side or on to$ to$ o, one another another in stacks. to sa*e sa*e s$ace+ Position the nesting nesting -oes higher than the roosting roosting $oles+ 0he nesting -oes should should -e out o, the /ay o, tra,,ic coming in and out o, the coo$ to satis,y the chickens instinct to lay her eggs in a sa,e. Fuiet $lace+ It is a good idea to to ha*e one nest -o ,or e*ery ,our chickens+ ;+ It is also Fuite Fuite a good idea to $ile $lenty o, logs and rocks around the coo$ itsel, to make it harder ,or $redators to -urro/ under and get to the solid ,loor that you ha*e installed & ,eet do/n+ <+ Consider the climate in /hich you li*e li*e care,ully care,ully and and choose choose a design that can /ithstand /ithstand *ariations in /eather+ /eather+ 0here are many ,unky designs ,or ,or chicken coo$s -ut it /ill add cost and $ro-lems to your $roHect i, you need to -e re$lacing items in it at a later date+ 0he tractor and house design are great layouts and has -een around ,or many years and stood the test o, time+ Later in this eBook you can read more a-out the di,,erent sha$es. designs and layout o, chicken coo$s that are a*aila-le+ >+ 0he location location o, your your chicken coo$ is su$er im$ortant ,rom the $ers$ecti*e o, sa,ety sa,ety ,or your $oultry and your o/n con*enience+ I, at all $ossi-le $osition $osition the chicken coo$ near your































you kee$. gi*e yoursel, enough room+ You donOt need to -uild a cathedral ,or your $oultry $oultry -ut it can -e really annoying i, you need to cra/l. sFuat or -end around in the run ,or maintenance $ur$oses+ a*ing a run that you can /alk into /ill also gi*e you a chance to interact /ith the chickens+ (+ 0hink a-out /hether a mo-ile chicken coo$ and run /ill /ork ,or you+ I, you li*e in an area /ith a lot o, $redators. mo-ile chicken coo$s are not a great idea as /hilst they are mo-ile ,or you. they are also easier ,or ,oes and the like to get intoQ Also. the decision on /hether /hether you ha*e a mo-ile chicken coo$ and run de$ends on the num-er o, chickens you decide to kee$+ I, you kee$ t/o then a mo-ile may may /ork Kde$ending on the $redator $redator situation+ Anything more than that and it can -e a /aste o, time and money ,or you+ ((+ 0he -est ty$es o, /aterers are sus$ended a-out > to  inches o,, the ground+ ground+ 0his $re*ents the /ater ,rom -eing knocked do/n and -eing contaminated /ith ,aeces or ,ood+ (&+ 0hink a-out ha*ing an automatic automatic /aterer installed installed into your chicken coo$ i, you are not going to -e at home se*eral times a day to re,ill the drinkers+ I, you li*e in a *ery hot country /here /ater can easily heat u$ or e*a$orate Fuickly your chickens /ill do much -etter ,or a constant su$$ly o, ,resh /ater+ Installing an automatic /aterer /ill add cost to your $roHect -ut one that is /ell /orth considering and $aying out ,or at the start+ (9+ 0here should -e $lenty o, ,eeders ,or ,or the chickens and again these these should -e $ositioned so that they are o,, the ground so that the ,ood does not get contaminated contaminated in any /ay+ @eeders tend to -e $ut > to  inches o,, the ground. similar to the /aterers (;+ Bedding is an im$ortant $art o, making sure sure that your chickens stay ha$$y and healthy+ Inside the coo$ ,loor the -edding /ill $ro*ide a so,t sur,ace ,or your chickens to /alk on and /ill a-sor- their dro$$ings and odour+ You should decide on a ty$e o, -edding that is easy to source. reasona-ly $riced and does the Ho- o, kee$ing the coo$ interior interior as dry as $ossi-le+ $ossi-le+ 0he -edding in the coo$ should -e a-out & inches thick+ (<+ Put a lock on the chicken coo$ door+ It isnOt a -ad idea to ,orti,y it e*en more /ith a cou$le o, good Fuality magnets+ magnets+ 0he decision o, /hether you make an automatic door is u$ ,or ,or de-ate+ It adds etra cost to your $roHect so this is something that you ha*e to consider along





























































Cha$ter (;# 3aterials to Use ,or Your Chicken Coo$ 0here are many di,,erent materials that you can use in the construction and ,itting out o, your chicken coo$+ In this section. /e /ill hel$ you to consider the ,ollo/ing as as $art o, your $roHect#  6hat are the di,,erent ty$es o, materials you can use to -uild a chicken coo$5 0o "IY. use a kit. ada$t another ty$e o, -uilding or -uy o,, the shel,5 6hat ty$e o, ,looring is -est ,or the chicken coo$5 6hat ty$e o, -edding should you use in your chicken coo$5 0he -ene,its and $erils o, chicken /ire 6hat Are 0he "i,,erent 0y$es 4, 3aterials You Can Use 0o Build A Chicken Coo$5

0here are lots o, o$tions ,or you to consider /hen deciding the material you use to construct your your chi chicke cken n coo$+ coo$+ You can use metal. metal. $lastic $lastic and o, course course /ood /hich /hich is -y ,ar the most commonly used+

3etal chicken coo$s are certainly $ractical and hard/earing -ut ,rom the $ers$ecti*e o, the occu occu$a $ant ntss o, the the coo$ coo$.. $erh $erha$ a$ss not not so easy easy to li*e li*e in+ in+ Co Cons nsid ider er the the clim climat ate. e. in *ery *ery hot hot countries a metal chicken coo$ is not such a great o$tion. $articularly i, you ha*e no run ,or your $oultry+ $oultry+ 0hey /ill ,ry in the metal coo$ and you certainly certainly /onOt ha*e ha$$y or healthy healthy -irds+

I, you are a-le to $ro*ide a s$acious run ,or the chickens. /hich is $ro$erly $redator $roo,ed. then a metal coo$ could /ork+ /ork+ o/e*er. o/e*er. you /ill need to -e su$er diligent in making making sure that your -irds are let out ,irst thing thing in the mornin that they donOt donOt get too hot+ Plus you /ill































4ne as$ect that you need to -e care,ul /ith i, o$ting ,or a $lastic coo$ is condensation+ condensation+ 3ake sure that there is adeFuate *entilation in the coo$ other/ise /ith a nonD-reatha-le material such as $lastic. moisture can run do/n the sides and result in dam$ -edding and a ,loor /hich could lead to ,ungal gro/th and res$iratory disorders in your chickens+

I, you do e*entually o$t ,or a $lastic coo$. you can also go green -y making sure that the one you $urchase is made ,rom recycled materials+ 0his is another small ste$ to/ards sustaina-le li*ing+

6ooden chicken coo$s are -y ,ar the most $o$ular and readily a*aila-le -ecause they ha*e -een around around ,or a long time+ time+ In terms o, cost. an o,, the shel, /ood coo$ is a-out the same same $rice as a $lastic $lastic one+ 6ood is a naturally naturally -reatha-le -reatha-le $roduct $roduct and /hen /ell designed designed and constructe constructed d the coo$ /ill not su,,er ,rom condensation condensation++ A /ooden chicken coo$ /ill last ,or years and /ithstand /ithstand all climatic climatic conditions. conditions. as they can -e /eather /eather $roo,ed *ery easily+ 0hey are *ersati *ersatile le and the sky is the lim limit it on design designing ing /hat your coo$ /ill /ill look look like+ like+ You can -e su$er creati*e and -uildada$t a coo$ that ,its in /ith the en*ironment and allo/s you good interaction youOre your chickens+

0he ty$e o, /ood you use /ill a,,ect the cost o, your chicken coo$. /hether $urchased o,, the shel,. shel,. made /ith a "IY kit or construc constructed ted ,rom scratch+ scratch+ 6ooden 6ooden coo$s also allo/ allo/ you to maimise the com,ort o, your $oultry -y making sure that their roosting and nesting s$ots are /ell $ositioned+































/ooden /ooden is largely largely a-out your o/n $ersonal $re,erence+ $re,erence+ All /ill -e really e,,ecti*e in housing your chickens+

0o "IY. Use A 2it. Buy 4,, the Shel, or Ada$t A Building5

0he choice you make here is a-out three things. ho/ $ro,icient you are as a car$enter. the amount o, money you /ant to s$end on your coo$ and ,inally the amount o, time you ha*e to allocate to the $roHect o, coo$ construction+

I, you decide to "IY your chicken coo$ you need to -e ,airly good at ,inding your /ay around car$en car$entry try++ You /ill need enough enough time to dedica dedicate te to dra/in dra/ing g your your coo$ design design on $a$er. $a$er. -uyingsou -uyingsourcing rcing the right materials materials and then s$ending time -uilding -uilding it+ I, you ha*e all these then the o$tion o, -uilding your chicken coo$ ,rom scratch is *ia-le and /ill gi*e you an added dimension to kee$ing your o/n $oultry+

o/e*er. most $eo$le tend to go /ith the o$tion o, -uilding a chicken coo$ kit that you can $urchase onDline or ,rom a *ariety o, stores+ 0hese coo$s are ,airly easy to $ut together as they come /ith illustrated ste$D-yDste$ ste$D-yDste$ instructions to ho/ the coo$ should should -e $ut together+ 0here are lots o, di,,erent designs in the kit market that are reasona-ly $riced and also Fuite easy to ada$tmodi,y at a later stage i, you decide you /ant to -e more creati*e /ith the hen house+ Remem-er Remem-er that the kits do not contain contain the materials+ materials+ You need to source and $ay ,or these in addition to the kit design you ha*e -ought+

































inches -elo/ ground to make the coo$ $redator $roo, as $ossi-le+

By not ha*ing ha*ing chi chicke cken n /ire /ire inside inside the coo$ coo$ you /ill sto$ sto$ their their ,ee ,eett ,rom ,rom gettin getting g tra$$e tra$$ed d -et/een the /ire holes+

6hat 0y$e 4, Bedding Should You Use In Your Chicken Coo$5

0he im$ortance o, -edding in the coo$ cannot -e o*er em$hasised. as it /ill kee$ your chickens ha$$y and healthy+ healthy+ I, you ,ollo/ the instructions instructions a-o*e a-o*e ,or the coo$ ,loor then you can co*er the inside ,loor /ith many di,,erent ty$es o, materials that /e /ill discuss later in this eB-ook+ Good -edding /ill $ro*ide your chickens /ith a so,t sur,ace ,or them to /alk u$on and /ill also a-sora-sor- their dro$$ings dro$$ings and odour+ In addition. addition. the -edding needs to -e easy to clean and /ill $ro*ide a so,t landing ,or any eggs that ,all out o, the nesting s$otsQ

0he Bene,its and Perils o, Chicken 6ire

































Cha$ter (<# A Selection o, Plans and "esigns ,or a Chicken Coo$ 0he design o, the coo$ and run ,or your chickens is an im$ortant im$ortant as$ect o, your $roHect+ $roHect+ 2ee$ in mind that coo$s and runs need to -e made /ell to /ithstand the elements. as /e ha*e discussed. kee$ $redators out and ha*e su,,icient *entilation+ *entilation+ It is Fuite use,ul to /rite a list o, ans/ers to the ,ollo/ing Fuestions and ha*e them as a tick -o /hen looking ,or the right coo$ design+ (+ Are there any local regulations a-out kee$ing and housing chickens5 I, so. /hat are they5&+ o/ many chickens are you going to kee$ 59+ 6hether you are going to ha*e them as $ets. $ets. to su$$ly you /ith eggs eggs or are you going to to -reed them;+ 0he -udget -udget ,or your $roHect and /hat $ercentage you /ant /ant to s$end on the coo$ and and run<+ 0he s$ace s$ace you ha*e a*aila-le on your land ,or ,or the coo$ and run>+ 6hether you /ant to to ha*e a static static or mo-ile coo$ and run?+ 0he hardest /eather conditions that your chickens /ill need to contend /ith during a year+ 0he ty$es o, $redators that you ha*e in your area Net you need to decide /hich one o, the the ,our general styles you $re,er+ $re,er+ 0hey are# AD,rame these tend to -e the smallest ty$es o,

and

the minimum amount o,



















































































































































































































































































































































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Chicken Raising and Caring: A Beginner's Guide to Raising Your Backyard Chickens

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