Raising or breeding chickens from the time they are hatched by you is best if you are raising them for meat. The key to your operation is to raise new chickens. If you do not know how to properly raise chickens, your operations will be compromised. Many people who raise backyard chickens bring up many questions, since it is not very common. The following questions are often asked about how to raise chickens.
Do I hatch the eggs?
Hatch the eggs either artificially or naturally. A hen going broody on the said eggs will, of course, be natural hatching. You have to find a hen that is going broody and it does not have to be the mother hen, or the hen that laid the eggs.
Although natural incubation may seem very practical, this will put a dent on your operations. Note that brooding hens do not lay eggs. They will probably lose weight as they contemplate hatching the eggs and will not eat. They can hardly stand up and rarely eat. The natural way to maintain the number of eggs you are producing is not the way for you. If this isn't really a problems, of course you should let your hens do the work for you, if only once. Surely, it will be an experience.
How do I raise the chicks after they hatch?
This step will require a brooder. Although you can get chicken brooders commercially, it is actually very easy to build one yourself (of course, if you have no faith in your ability to make one, you are better off buying a brooder). It is important that you know how to raise chickens after they hatch. All in all, you simply have to keep the chicks in the brooder at a 95 degree Fahrenheit temperature for the first week. Lower the temperature every week for the next three weeks.
You need to ensure that food and water is available to the chicks at all times. Commercial feeds are appropriate and sufficient for newly hatched chicks, so you are better of feeding them a commercial feed. You can release your chicks after the first month, although you can choose to let them stay until the second month. If the weather is warm and you have a clean run for them, take them out of the incubator once in a while and increase their food and water.
If the chicks are ones that were not personally hatched by me, how to I take care of them?
A very important concern is to raise chicks you did not hatch, especially when the chicks are shipped. Chicks that are shipped tend to be weak due to travel. Mix eight tablespoons of sugar per each gallon of water for your chicks to enjoy. Adding this sweet solution on their food can give them an extra jolt of energy. An important fact is knowing how to raise weak chickens. You should give extra attention here. If they refuse to eat, this is especially true. In this case, you should hand-feed them, but be sure to wash your hands!).
It is best if you read more materials on how to raise chickens, especially if you are operating a commercial procedure (even if only a minor or small one). - 29953
Do I hatch the eggs?
Hatch the eggs either artificially or naturally. A hen going broody on the said eggs will, of course, be natural hatching. You have to find a hen that is going broody and it does not have to be the mother hen, or the hen that laid the eggs.
Although natural incubation may seem very practical, this will put a dent on your operations. Note that brooding hens do not lay eggs. They will probably lose weight as they contemplate hatching the eggs and will not eat. They can hardly stand up and rarely eat. The natural way to maintain the number of eggs you are producing is not the way for you. If this isn't really a problems, of course you should let your hens do the work for you, if only once. Surely, it will be an experience.
How do I raise the chicks after they hatch?
This step will require a brooder. Although you can get chicken brooders commercially, it is actually very easy to build one yourself (of course, if you have no faith in your ability to make one, you are better off buying a brooder). It is important that you know how to raise chickens after they hatch. All in all, you simply have to keep the chicks in the brooder at a 95 degree Fahrenheit temperature for the first week. Lower the temperature every week for the next three weeks.
You need to ensure that food and water is available to the chicks at all times. Commercial feeds are appropriate and sufficient for newly hatched chicks, so you are better of feeding them a commercial feed. You can release your chicks after the first month, although you can choose to let them stay until the second month. If the weather is warm and you have a clean run for them, take them out of the incubator once in a while and increase their food and water.
If the chicks are ones that were not personally hatched by me, how to I take care of them?
A very important concern is to raise chicks you did not hatch, especially when the chicks are shipped. Chicks that are shipped tend to be weak due to travel. Mix eight tablespoons of sugar per each gallon of water for your chicks to enjoy. Adding this sweet solution on their food can give them an extra jolt of energy. An important fact is knowing how to raise weak chickens. You should give extra attention here. If they refuse to eat, this is especially true. In this case, you should hand-feed them, but be sure to wash your hands!).
It is best if you read more materials on how to raise chickens, especially if you are operating a commercial procedure (even if only a minor or small one). - 29953
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Looking for chicken coop building plans? You will need them if you want to raise backyard chickens.
