So you want to raise your own chickens?
Tired of egg recalls and salmonella threats surrounding supermarket eggs, and think you can do it better?
You probably can.
But don't be fooled -- it does involve money and work.
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1. Check with local authorities to determine if you can actually have chickens on your property.
Urban and suburban neighborhoods very often have restrictions against the types of domestic animals permitted. Chickens are considered pets by some of them, but they seldom allow roosters.
2. Determine the location of your chicken coop(s).
Even without roosters, chickens do make noise, so it is best to locate them away from the house (yours AND your neighbors') if at all possible.
Depending on how many you have in the coop (and how often you clean it), it can also develop an unpleasant odor.
If you live in a hot climate (like here in Columbia SC), it is good to locate the coop near some shade, so the chickens are not subject to the hot sun all day, every day.
You will also want to have a water source nearby.
3. Plan and build your chicken coop.
Do you own a dog or cat? They like to chase and eat chickens. These do not generally coexist peacefully within the same yard.
If you have other pets in your yard, you will want to consider a fully wired coop to keep the chickens in and the other pets out. The wired coop will require a sleeping space and a roaming yard large enough for your chickens.
If you have no other yard pets (and no neighboring pets that are likely to drop in for a visit), your chickens can roam free in your fenced yard during the day. Be advised, they will tear up the grass and flower beds to get at seeds and bugs to eat -- even if you provide ample chicken feed. It is in their nature.
Include a protected sleeping perch in your plans. When chickens sleep, they are vulnerable to foxes, possums, hawks, owls, and even domestic cats.
4. Purchase hens for your coop.
Start with young hens rather than chicks. Chicks require a whole special setup. Buying young hens will get you eggs faster and will give you time to learn about the whole chicken-raising thing before attempting to raise baby chicks.
Local chicken farmers nearly always have hens for sale.
Depending on the size of your coop, start with 3-5 hens. Young hens (depending on the breed) will lay about 5 eggs per week, so with 3 hens, you could get about 15 eggs per week.
Roosters are not required for the hens to lay eggs. They will simply lay unfertilized eggs.
5. Take care of your chickens.
You must feed and check the water for your chickens daily.
If you leave town, ensure that someone will come in to look after them each day.
Clean the coop about once per week.
Check for eggs every day.
6. Enjoy your fresh, home-grown eggs.
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