How to Rear Broiler Chickens

Raising meat chickens --- also known as broilers --- is one way to provide your family with meat that is fresh and hormone-free. You can control the way these chickens are raised, including providing humane living conditions and knowing exactly how the chickens eat while they are growing. Raising broiler chickens often becomes a hobby, and even a backyard flock may produce enough meat to provide you with a small income.

Things You'll Need

  • Coop
  • Brooder
  • Baby broiler chickens
  • Waterer
  • Chicken feed
  • Heat lamp
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Research the zoning laws in your town regarding poultry.

    • 2

      Prepare a coop for your chickens, if you have one on your property. Clean the coop thoroughly. Rake out old bedding and wash the inside walls. If you don't have a coop, build one or find a predator-proof area in which to rear the broilers.

    • 3

      Prepare a brooder for your chicks. Heat a small enclosure to 90 to 95 degrees using heat lamp. Give the chicks a constant supply of food and fresh water.

    • 4

      Choose chickens that are raised for meat rather than eggs. These are fast-growing, heavy birds.

    • 5

      Move the chicks into the coop at about two weeks of age.

    • 6

      Feed your chickens a commercially prepared chicken feed as it is nutritionally balanced for fast-growing chickens. Look for feed containing 20-percent protein.

    • 7

      Provide your broiler chickens with continuous light for best growth as light encourages them to eat.