How to Raise Chickens

Raising chickens is one way to start a more sustainable and healthy way of living. Chickens can rid one's yard or property of insects, and they provide people with fresh protein-rich eggs. In addition, residential chicken owners give the birds a more productive and humane life than that experienced on a factory farm. Many commercially-raised chickens suffer in poor living conditions, leading to disease and bad quality poultry. All potential chicken owners should check local laws regarding raising such animals first.

Things You'll Need

Chicks
Chicken coop or outbuilding
Heat lamp
Pine shavings
Chicken feeder
Water container
Food pellets

Instructions

Beginning with Baby Chicks
- 1
  Place chicks in a brooder. Chicks under 60 days old must be placed in a box or small animal cage. A cage used for hamsters, guinea pigs or rabbits should suffice. Do not buy a huge cage where chicks can fall and hurt themselves.
- 2
  Add pine shavings to the cage. Flooring helps to absorb the chick's waste. It also provides a comfortable sleeping area. Replace shavings every couple of days for sanitary reasons.
- 3
  Keep a heating lamp with a 100-watt light bulb above or near chicks. Newborn chicks need temperatures as high as 90 to 100 F for the first several days.
- 4
  Attach a feeder and waterer to the brooder. Chicks need their food and water to be easily accessible.
- 5
  Reserve a time to socialize with the chicks through play. Full-grown chickens can be mean and bite if not properly socialized when younger.
Starting with Older Chickens
- 6
  Put chickens over 60 days old in a chicken coop or outbuilding. The coop should be spacious for hens and protected from predators.
- 7
  Spread pine shavings on the coop's floor. Pine shavings are comfortable and absorb waste better than newspaper.
- 8
  Keep water and food accessible in chicken coop. Add chicken feeders for the food pellets and create a water area.