| It is easy to get started! Day old chicks are available | | | | medium body, try Rhode Island Reds or Barred |
| from you local feed store, from a local hatchery or | | | | Plymouth Rocks. Bantams by definition are small |
| by mail. | | | | chickens and they lay smaller eggs. However they |
| Who Knew? | | | | are dedicated foragers and are a great example of |
| You can have all kinds of fun dreaming about the | | | | the "mother hen." They will even raise foster chicks. |
| kinds of chickens you would like to raise. Would you | | | | Araucanas are a breed that will lay colored eggs, |
| like maximum egg production? Maybe you'd like | | | | typically blue, green, or pinkish. The Black Rosecomb |
| something pretty to look at with colorful feathers? | | | | Bantam is a real eye-catcher. |
| Maybe you want color, but you want it in the eggs? | | | | Show Me the Eggs |
| Other breeds are best for meat production. And yes, | | | | In her first laying season a good hen will generally lay |
| there are breeds that are combination types, | | | | an egg per day. Egg production is related to the light |
| producing quality eggs and providing an excellent meal | | | | available and length of day. Therefore, when left to |
| for the table. There are even breeds that are best | | | | natural light, a hen's production will drop in the winter |
| at foraging and therefore best at helping you with | | | | months. Typically this reduction will be to one egg |
| insect control. | | | | every other day. Another factor in winter egg |
| Girls Only? | | | | production is moulting. Don't be surprised if she stops |
| If you're interested in raising hens, be sure that you | | | | producing all together for a month or two. |
| let your purchase source know. Roosters are | | | | How long will a hen produce eggs? Commercially fed |
| beautiful to look at and many tout fertilized eggs. | | | | chickens, which are medicated to keep their |
| You should know that they're extra noisy though and | | | | production high, will generally stop producing in about |
| sometimes are a bit more aggressive. Maybe you'd | | | | a year. You, having provided an excellent and more |
| like to learn a bit of chick ordering "lingo." Well, here | | | | natural environment for your home-raised chickens |
| you go: "straight run" chicks will be an equal number | | | | can expect your hens to lay for about three years. |
| of females and males, "95 percent pullets" will be | | | | A Final Tidbit or Two |
| approximately 95 percent female but may include a | | | | The number of chicks to start with is a good |
| few males. | | | | question. Definitely do not overcrowd your chickens. |
| It always pays to deal with experienced and | | | | This will produce health problems. Chicken keeping |
| reputable people. Be sure that your chicks are | | | | should be fun for everyone, the people who care for |
| registered and guaranteed U.S. - Salmonella Pullorum - | | | | them and for the chickens themselves. A well |
| Typhoid Clean. This will get your flock off to a good | | | | designed coop with a safe place to roam and forage |
| start and protect any existing poultry you already | | | | will keep everyone happy. The coop should be safe |
| have. | | | | from predators and easy to clean. Bring electricity out |
| Attributes | | | | to the coop so you can use lighting to encourage |
| For straight laying hens, the White Leghorn is an | | | | your hens to produce more consistently during the |
| exceptional standby. Lighter in body so less desirable | | | | winter months. Additionally, it will make it easier for |
| for dinner, these hens lay perfect white eggs. For a | | | | you to feed your chickens and clean their chicken |
| good combination chicken with brown eggs and a | | | | coop all year round. |