| Keeping chickens can be a great hobby for anyone | | | | sometimes if you have to pay to have items shipped |
| with the space and a little extra time. I started | | | | to you. |
| keeping chickens several years ago and I really enjoy | | | | Decide what size chicken coop you need to keep |
| having them running around in my yard. | | | | your chickens in and how big of a space you can |
| But I made a lot of mistakes when I bought my first | | | | afford to build. The bigger the coup, the more |
| chickens and it was terrible. So let's go over some of | | | | money it will cost. If you are going to keep them |
| the things you need to consider before you ever buy | | | | confined, standard guidelines say that each chicken |
| your first chick. | | | | needs about three square feet of space. If your |
| First of all, are you allowed to keep chickens in you | | | | chickens are allowed to free range, they only need |
| area? There are strict rules and regulations in many | | | | around two square feet. The more hens you have, |
| areas that don't allow chickens at all. Some areas will | | | | the more space you will need. |
| allow hens but not rooters. Still other areas will only | | | | Do you have enough storage space to keep all of |
| allow you to keep a very small flock and the number | | | | the supplies that you need. You will have to store |
| of animals allowed depends on your area. Take the | | | | feed, cedar bedding, the lighting equipment for winter |
| time to find out before you decided to start keeping | | | | and anything else that you might need. If you don't |
| chickens and then have to get rid of them. | | | | have a storage area, you will need to build one. |
| Do you have the money to invest in keeping | | | | Decide where to place your chicken coop. It's location |
| chickens. It will cost a lot more to get started since | | | | is very important. You want a sunny location but |
| you will have to buy and build a chicken coop, all the | | | | there should also be shade so your hens don't bake |
| necessary equipment, the animals themselves and | | | | when they are laying eggs. The drainage around the |
| the food. Check your finances carefully and go to | | | | area should also be taken into consideration. Chickens |
| some of the local feed stores in your area to see if | | | | need to be kept dry or they will get sick and possibly |
| they carry what you need. I will cost more | | | | diet. |