Chicken Care Basics
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/how-to-raise-backyard-chickens-in-your-city-the-basics-of-raising-chickens
This site gives loads of information about why you should get started, how to get started, and the important things you need to know.
I also recommend two books:
Storey's Guide to Poultry
The Backyard Barnyard
Also take a look at my blog which is costantly being updated with answers to common poultry questions and concerns.
Getting Started with Day Old Chicks:
So you've done your research and think you are ready to make the plunge. Raising baby chicks is fairly easy and inexpensive. Materials at home can be substituted for a fancy brooder. Here's an easy step by step guide to get you started:
1. Get your chicks ordered from a reputable breeder for quality stock or a hatchery that is NPIP certified. Research what breeds would be best for your situation and have fun with the many choices that come.
2. Make or purchase a brooder which is basically a container where the chicks will live for a few weeks and stay warm. We prefer to use a plastic tub to brood ours as it's simple and easy to clean and store when done.
3. Purchase chick starter (we prefer to feed ours unmedicated but the choice is yours), a chick feeder, chick waterer, a heat lamp, and a heat bulb (make sure it's a red bulb not white). For my first batch I also purchased a thermometer to stick to the side so I could track temperature but I'll teach you a little trick below that makes it pretty much unnecessary.
4. On arrival day turn heat lamp on hours before. I place a singe row of paper towels on the bottom of the tub to make it slip resistant and then sprinkle a small amount of bedding on top which I will add to daily.
5. Fill waterer and feeder
6. Once chicks arrive, I dip each beak in the water and then place them in their brooder. I then watch to check that temperature is right. Huddled together they are too cold and panting or far away they are too warm. Adjust lamp accordingly. Many articles will say to drop the heat 5 degrees each week. This is a good rule of thumb to go by when you are just getting started.
7. Around 5 weeks they will be fully feathered and ready for their new home. Make sure you adjust for space as they grow.
8. Enjoy! You'll soon be on your way to meat and eggs soon.
This site gives loads of information about why you should get started, how to get started, and the important things you need to know.
I also recommend two books:
Storey's Guide to Poultry
The Backyard Barnyard
Also take a look at my blog which is costantly being updated with answers to common poultry questions and concerns.
Getting Started with Day Old Chicks:
So you've done your research and think you are ready to make the plunge. Raising baby chicks is fairly easy and inexpensive. Materials at home can be substituted for a fancy brooder. Here's an easy step by step guide to get you started:
1. Get your chicks ordered from a reputable breeder for quality stock or a hatchery that is NPIP certified. Research what breeds would be best for your situation and have fun with the many choices that come.
2. Make or purchase a brooder which is basically a container where the chicks will live for a few weeks and stay warm. We prefer to use a plastic tub to brood ours as it's simple and easy to clean and store when done.
3. Purchase chick starter (we prefer to feed ours unmedicated but the choice is yours), a chick feeder, chick waterer, a heat lamp, and a heat bulb (make sure it's a red bulb not white). For my first batch I also purchased a thermometer to stick to the side so I could track temperature but I'll teach you a little trick below that makes it pretty much unnecessary.
4. On arrival day turn heat lamp on hours before. I place a singe row of paper towels on the bottom of the tub to make it slip resistant and then sprinkle a small amount of bedding on top which I will add to daily.
5. Fill waterer and feeder
6. Once chicks arrive, I dip each beak in the water and then place them in their brooder. I then watch to check that temperature is right. Huddled together they are too cold and panting or far away they are too warm. Adjust lamp accordingly. Many articles will say to drop the heat 5 degrees each week. This is a good rule of thumb to go by when you are just getting started.
7. Around 5 weeks they will be fully feathered and ready for their new home. Make sure you adjust for space as they grow.
8. Enjoy! You'll soon be on your way to meat and eggs soon.