As a sustainable source of food there is no better alternative than raising chickens. Not only do you have fresh eggs from laying hens but you can also have fresh chicken for butchering. Chickens are very easy to care for needing only a small amount of food, clean water and coop with ranging area for roaming. Ideally, most chicken coop’s would have nesting boxes, a roosting platform and a fenced in area for free range roaming. A smaller compact chicken coop is preferred when only raising a few chickens so that the coop is easily moved to a new ground area when needed. Wood shavings are a common floor covering and straw or hay is used within the nesting boxes. Periodic cleaning of these areas is a must to keep chickens free of lice and mites. It is recommended that chickens be checked often for the condition of mites. Diatomaceous earth is a natural garden pest control agent that also helps in preventing and controlling mites on chickens.
Easy chicken coop plans can be found here: Easy Chicken Coop Plans
If raising chicks they are started on a high protein chick starter food for several weeks then switched to a less protein chick starter for several more weeks. Around four months of age, the chickens can be fed mash or crumbles and other food scraps. Chicken scratch can be added but it is not recommended as a main source of food. Crushed eggs shells or oyster shells give them added calcium that assists in egg production.
Depending on where you live, you need to consider protection from the cold freezes of winter. Many wrap their coops in heavy plastic or install small heaters to keep the coop warm enough. Protection from any severe weather that may occur is to be considered.
Daylight hours are necessary for adequate egg production so if the daylight time drops a light bulb can be added to maintain your egg production. A regular feeding schedule as well as plenty of room to roam will give you stress free chickens that lay plenty of eggs.
Finding a chicken coop is not usually difficult. Contact either your local agricultural department or feed stores to inquire about local woodworkers available for hire or just use your online local Craig’s List and search in the garden section. If you are handy with building projects and this is a very simple project, then you can get uncomplicated layout plans for building your own chicken coop here:
