| Backyard chicken raising need not be a backbreaking | | | | look real cuddly to you, but they could also be real |
| and arduous activity if done with a good plan at hand. | | | | threats to your flock. |
| If you have a ready budget, it doesn't cost too | | | | Health. Hens can get sick quite easily, so you should |
| much to purchase a ready-made coop for your little | | | | find out what diseases are likely in your neighborhood. |
| feathered friends. If you don't have the budget but | | | | An epidemic could wipe out your entire stock in one |
| have enough time, then you can build your own coop | | | | sweep. Speak to the vet and exchange notes with |
| with a little help from a DIY handbook. | | | | other chicken raisers in your area for information. |
| But even before you purchase the first yard of | | | | Government regulations. The government is always |
| chicken wire to start your backyard chicken-raising | | | | there to keep order in our communities. You need to |
| project, it helps to check out 10 vital considerations | | | | comply with all applicable laws for keeping backyard |
| to ensure the success of your project. | | | | chickens in your locality. A quick visit to your local |
| Breed. Your reason for wanting to establish a | | | | town hall for planning can keep you from trouble and |
| backyard chicken project and your place of operation | | | | may even help you in the future. |
| are vital considerations in your choice of chicken | | | | Diet. Keep a generous supply of chicken feeds, |
| breed. A leghorn, for example, makes a good egg | | | | grains, greens and fresh clean water. Protein is |
| layer and can thrive in both warm and cold weather. | | | | particularly important. Your flock may or may not get |
| If it's just hobby that you want, then you might | | | | a generous supply of protein foraging in your |
| want a bantam. There are different chicken breeds | | | | backyard, if they are free ranged. But it's best that |
| to choose from, depending on your requirement. You | | | | you consult your local feed supplier for advice on this. |
| can get good advice from your local hen supplier and | | | | If you are away for a day or more, you should |
| from poultry farmers in your area. | | | | consider investing in automatic water dispensers for |
| Quantity. Keep at least three hens for a flock. The | | | | your hens. |
| number of chicken you can keep depends on the | | | | Weather and Climate. There are certain breeds that |
| size of the area in which they can exercise, roam | | | | are ideal for warm weather and there are others |
| around, forage and nest comfortably. At least 10 | | | | that are more comfortable in cold weather. Make |
| square feet per head is a good rule of thumb. | | | | sure that you choose the right breed for your kind |
| Time. Decide how much time you will have available. | | | | of climate. You might want to choose a breed that |
| Tending chicken, free range or not, requires a small | | | | can adapt to both warm and cold weather. Just |
| time commitment from you for feeding, cleaning out | | | | make sure they are protected from hot, midday sun |
| the coop, and other jobs. Allow 10 or 15 minutes for | | | | and they are able to keep their feet dry. |
| a small flock. | | | | Neighborhood. You might need to reassure some of |
| Housing. Your birds will need safe places to roost and | | | | your neighbors about possible noise and smells from |
| nest in, particularly at night when they are particularly | | | | your poultry to get their support. Keeping your place |
| vulnerable to predators. Your chicken house design | | | | clean and sharing your fresh, free range eggs with |
| should allow easy cleaning and egg collection without | | | | your neighbors can work wonders! |
| causing too much stress for the layers. | | | | These considerations are not that difficult to do and |
| Security. The birds must be safe from predators, | | | | take just a little common sense to apply. If you |
| including cats, dogs, rats, wild animals, snakes and | | | | follow them, then you're on your way to becoming a |
| birds of prey, like eagles. Your cats and dogs may | | | | successful chicken raiser. |