I’m still top chicken, don’t even think about putting me in the pot.
“Yum! Fresh eggs are here again!” said my daughter with joy. When the hens start laying spring is just around the corner.
If you’ve ever thought of getting chickens now is a good time to get ready. With a little preparation they are very easy to raise and the eggs and manure are great to have. Starting with chicks from the feed store is a good way to go.
For chicken success you need:
- A dry place for them to perch, lay eggs and sleep
- An area for exercise and scratching
- Protection from predators. I have lost quite a few chickens to racoons; they are very good at pulling up fences, digging and even going so far as to pull boards off of coops. Hawks have carried off a few chicks.
- Access to clean water and food. Food needs to be protected from rats or you can have a huge pest problem.
- A good source of calcium for shell development. This can be in the food or as a supplement such as ground up shells.
New eggs!
Chicken manure mixed with wood chips needs to compost for at least six months.
Using a treadle feeder like this one cuts down on problems with rats as they aren’t heavy enough to trip it open.
There is a fenced outside run with bird netting on top mainly to keep out hawks.
Inside the former goat shed the girls have dry perches and boxes for laying.
Sometimes I use hay for bedding but often use cedar chips instead.