Supplies for Raising Chickens

Raising chickens can be quite an endeavor, whether you are raising just a few birds to supply your family with eggs or a whole hen house full of chickens. There are specific grains these birds will need in order to produce healthy eggs, as well as special nests to lay eggs, specific structures to live in and special platforms to sleep on.

  1. Food

    • There are a variety of grains on the market these days for chickens, and the one you choose depends on what you are requiring of these birds. If you want to raise chickens to supply your family with eggs, than a proper laying mash is the necessary food. It contains higher levels of protein, which aid in egg production and is available at most local feed stores. If you are raising chickens for meat production, a crumbled or pellet form of food is adequate.

    Nests

    • Whether you want to use the eggs your chickens lay for consumption, or to hatch out in an incubator, you will need proper nests for your birds. You can create nests from a variety of containers or boxes. They should be approximately 15 inches wide and 15 inches high. Fill the boxes with straw; you can also place plastic or wooden eggs in the box to encourage the hens to lay eggs there.

    Chicken Coops

    • A chicken coop is also important if you are planning to raise chickens. The birds will need a place to stay that will keep them safe from predators and protect them from the elements. Several chicken coops on the market are pre-fabricated and ready for delivery, or you can build one yourself. The structure needs to be big enough to accommodate all your birds, and needs a roof and an area to place nests and feeders. If building the coop yourself, a good way to keep predators out is to line the outside of the pen with chicken wire.

    Roosts

    • A roost is another important aspect when raising chickens. A roost is a raised structure that allows them to huddle together after it gets dark. Chickens do not like to sleep on the ground; if they don't have a structure to roost on, they are likely to sleep on the nesting boxes, which can be quite messy when gathering eggs. Position the roosts higher than the nesting boxes; you can construct them out of just about anything, from planks to wooden bars.