Many animal lovers have dreamed about starting their own backyard farm at some point in their lives. Nothing sounds better than being able to take care of a bunch of animals all day long. Yet, as exciting as this idea seems, remember you must prepare long before you acquire any chickens. You can’t simply bring home creatures and hope for the best. Chickens are the perfect animal to begin with because they’re relatively easy to take care of. Follow this beginner’s guide to raising backyard chickens, so you can take one more step toward having your personal farm. You’ll find there’s no reason to be anxious. Soon enough, your chicks will love their new home.
Get the Right Supplies
The first step is making sure you have the right supplies. You must purchase the right equipment before you bring any chicks home. Talk to an animal professional about your goals. Tell them you want to start raising chickens in your backyard and ask them what equipment you’ll need. They’ll likely instruct you on how to build a chicken coop. They’ll tell you what materials you’ll need and how large the coop should be. These professionals should also tell you to buy high-quality chicken bedding. Raising chicks in your backyard can be a stinky business, so you want to make sure you get chicken bedding that smells good and keeps your coop clean. Some chicken bedding can be used in your garden as well. If you have some left over, you can mix it with Bloomin’s famous seed paper shapes, and your garden will look stunning.
The Size of the Flock
Chickens aren’t solitary animals. They need to be members of a flock in order to survive. Keep this in mind before you start thinking about raising chicks in your backyard. You shouldn’t buy a few chickens and force them to adapt to a lifestyle that’s easier for you. Instead, try to get as many chicks as you can that’ll comfortably fit in your coop and yard. You should also have a diverse flock. Every flock should have a variety of both female and male chickens, so things run smoothly. Also inquire about the breeds of the chickens before you bring them home. Different breeds require different care than others. Know what you’re walking into before you bring any chicks to your place.
Monitor Their Health
Watch over any chickens you keep in your backyard. Yes, chickens are animals, but that doesn’t mean they can fend for themselves. This sentiment is especially true when they’re living in your backyard. The minute you decide to raise chicks in your backyard, they become your responsibility. Monitor their health as carefully as you can. Feed them only the highest quality food on the market and keep their coop clean. Also, take your chickens to a veterinarian the minute you suspect something is wrong. Raising chickens on your property is a massive undertaking, but this beginner’s guide to raising backyard chickens will help make it a success.
