Raising Chickens - What comes first--the chicken or the chicken supplies?
By: Carole DeJarnatt
There is a movement across the nation that more and more people are starting to raise chickens. Whether it be the state of the economy or people just wanting to get back to the basics--people are looking for ways to be a little more self-sufficient, and having eggs supplied by your own animals is one of many ways.
Along with an interest in raising chickens, you need to be aware of the poultry equipment required to maintain your new flock. Some people just jump right in without a thought--kind of like I did in the beginning. My husband brought home six chickens and we scrambled around looking for temporary housing until we could build something better and provide something to properly dispense their feed and water. If you have a choice, first determine what is needed to start raising chickens, and then get your chickens.
If I was considering raising a few chickens in my backyard for the first time, here are the preferred chicken supplies I would have on hand:
- Chicken House--when raising chickens the chicken needs a place to call home. Whether it be a chicken tractor, a chicken coop, or a livestock barn, give the chickens a place to get out of the rain, lay an egg, and roost at night. Baby chickens require an area with a heat source for a short time so the housing requirements will be different.
- Poultry Equipment--this includes the poultry feeder and waterer, and nesting boxes. The type of poultry equipment you purchase depends on the age of the chicken. Unless you buy a pre-fab chicken house, most do not come with nesting boxes so you will need to supply the area where you want to gather the eggs.
- Used Poultry Equipment--there are many sources to purchase used poultry equipment and the first place I usually look is Craigslist and from there I search for any local livestock or small animal auctions; and don't forget your local trading posts papers.
- Chicken Feed--when you bring home your new chickens one of the first things they want to do is eat. Again, what type you buy is determined by the age of the chicken. There are a variety of chicken feeds out there so do your homework to choose the one that is right for you.
- Storage Containers for Poultry Supplies—the likelihood of attracting critters of some sort is very high with all the scratching a chicken does in its food that helps to spread it around. I use metal trash containers and they do the trick. I keep my food supplies in one and my chicken equipment in the other.
I have been raising chickens for over five years now so, I have my preferred methods of feeding and watering along with my preferred poultry equipment, some homemade and some store bought. If you are just starting out and not sure where to turn, a visit to your local feed store is a great starting point. Check out their prices then compare them to the online stores. Most of the time you will find if you buy local you will save on the shipping costs, and there is the chance if they don’t have what you’re looking for they will order it for you. With the interest in raising chickens you need to have the correct poultry equipment to maintain your new flock.
Carole DeJarnatt raises a variety of hens, baby chickens, and a few roosters. She shares her chicken raising experiences on www.fowlvisions.com.