Do you have to have broody chickens to raise chicks?
You can keep just a couple of broody prone birds Broodiness, or the tendency to set on eggs, is necessary if you want the hen to hatch some eggs and raise the chicks. Hens don’t lay eggs while broody, so you don’t want a whole flock of broody hens if you want steady egg production.
Is it fun to raise chickens at home?
Raising chickens can be educational, productive and fun. It has certainly been one of the most enjoyable experiences of my life! Somehow walking to my coop each morning to collect fresh eggs never gets old. This article is designed to get you started on your chicken journey.
What are the benefits of having a mixed flock of chickens?
And that is quite useful, if you want to know which hens are laying well, and which are not. It also makes it easy to determine who is laying the abnormal eggs, which can indicate illness. I have a mix of bantams, full sized birds, brown egg layers, blue-green egg layers, and white layers.
How long has Chris Lesley been raising chickens?
Chris Lesley has been Raising Chickens for over 20 years and is a fourth generation chicken keeper. She can remember being a young child when her grandad first taught her how to hold and care for chickens. She also holds a certificate in Animal Behavior and Welfare and is interested in backyard chicken health and care.
Why do most people want to raise chickens?
Most people primarily raise chickens for two reasons. One is for eggs and the other is for meat. Sometimes this is to sell and sometimes this is just for them and their family to consume. I have personally raised chickens that fall into both of these categories.
Do you need space for free range chickens?
If you are raising pastured or free-range egg layers for a chicken egg business, you will need lots of space because you will be moving them around. But if you are raising backyard chickens for yourself, you won’t. Keep all of this in mind as we dive into each of the questions below. What breed of chickens should I raise?
Why do chickens pick on the weakest member of the flock?
Chickens rarely show any signs of illness or weakness. If they do, other flock members will pick on them and either drives them from the flock or kill them. This sounds awful, but remember, the flock in the wild is as strong as its’ weakest member. It’s simply a survival tactic.
What happens if you add a new rooster to your flock?
Adding an unfamiliar rooster to an existing flock with an established rooster is a recipe for disaster. Two unfamiliar roosters meeting each other for the first time usually ends in bloodshed. The established rooster sees the newbie as a threat to his flock and his role as head honcho.
