The most important tips you need to raise chickens at home
Steps for raising chickens at home
Raising chickens at home attracts many people, not only for the fresh eggs they produce, but also for the compost they use to make fertilizer and for their role in controlling pests such as flies, mosquitoes, and worms, which they consider a food source. Raising chickens also creates a sense of intimacy between the chickens and family members.
Choosing the Right Type of Chicken
When choosing the right chicken breed, several important factors must be considered:
Egg production: All chicken breeds produce eggs regularly, so the maximum egg production and desired egg size should be determined.
Temperament: If the goal of raising chickens is to interact and play with them, it is preferable to choose friendly and docile breeds, such as the Australorp and Orpington.
Climate: Chicken breeds vary in their adaptation to climatic conditions. While most prefer cold climates, there are breeds that are also suitable for hot environments, such as the Mediterranean breeds (such as the Andalusian and the Penedsenka). Breeds such as the Australorp, Plymouth Rock, and Cochin are best suited to cold climates.
Egg color: Chicken eggs come in a variety of colors. If you're interested in a specific color, you should know the color of the eggs the breed sells. For example, most Mediterranean breeds lay white eggs, while the Ameraucana prefers blue eggs, and the Maran produces dark brown eggs.
Distinctive Breeds: Some people seek unique breeds. For example, the Cochin chicken has feathered feet, while the Ameraucana chicken has an unconventional head pattern.
These factors combined contribute to choosing the most appropriate breed based on the desired goals of raising chickens at home.
Suitable housing for chickens
When building a comfortable and safe home for chickens, several basic considerations must be taken into account before beginning construction, the most important of which are the following:
Choosing a suitable location
The coop should be built on an elevated site away from floods, water, and moisture. A source of electricity and clean water must be available in the area. It is also preferable for the site to be close to the breeder's residence to reduce the risk of predator attacks. Also, avoid areas surrounded by large plants or dense foliage, which could serve as hiding places for these animals.
Determining the size of the coop
The size of the coop depends on the number of chickens to be raised and whether outdoor space is available. If outdoor space is available, it is recommended to provide at least 90 cm² per chicken. If outdoor space is not available, each chicken needs an area of 2.4 to 3 square meters. This is to avoid overcrowding and conflict among them and to prevent the accumulation of feces, which could lead to the spread of diseases.
Choosing Building Materials
It is recommended to use laminated timber for building the coop. It is strong and durable, and it facilitates the opening of windows and holes necessary for proper ventilation. Although relatively expensive, it ensures a long-lasting and secure home.
Ensuring Protection from Predators
The coop should be raised 20 to 30 cm above the ground to protect it from attacks by snakes and other predators. Tightly closing doors and windows is also essential to prevent the entry of any unwanted creatures.
With these comprehensive steps, you will provide an ideal and safe environment for your chickens, ensuring their health and productivity.
Chicken Diet
A chicken's diet varies depending on its purpose, whether for egg production or meat. For chickens raised for eggs, they can be fed suitable leftovers from the farm, in addition to feed, such as beef scraps, cooked rice, pasta, cooked vegetables, dairy products such as milk and cheese, as well as eggshells and fresh fruits.
For chickens raised for meat, it's important to feed them with protein-rich feed to help them reach their ideal weight quickly and efficiently. Feed intake should be carefully monitored to prevent overeating, which can lead to serious health problems. Outdoor-bred chickens also benefit from natural nutrition by eating plants, insects, and worms, in addition to the feed they receive.
Caring for Young Chickens
Newly hatched chicks should be introduced to the brood until they begin to feather, provided that brooding conditions are suitable. The temperature should be warm and well-lit using a red light. The place should also be cool, well-ventilated, and free of drafts.
The incubation temperature should start at 35°C for the first week after hatching, then gradually reduce by five degrees Celsius each week until the chicks are six weeks old, at which point they are transferred to the coop inside the barn.
Collecting Eggs
There are several tips to follow when collecting chicken eggs to ensure their safety and cleanliness. The most important of these are:
Observing Bird Behavior:
The loud sounds of chickens are an indicator that they are laying eggs. Chickens lay one egg per day, and their laying times may vary; some occur in the morning, the evening, or both. The climate in which the chickens live also affects their egg production. In extremely hot or cold weather, they tend to lay more eggs.
Speed Collection is Important
Eggs should be collected very quickly to avoid breakage due to the movement of the chickens inside the coop. Eggs that show signs of cracking or breaking should be disposed of immediately to prevent bacterial contamination and the spread of mold.
Monitoring Chicken Reactions
Although chickens don't instinctively realize that their eggs are not meant to be eaten, if they find a cracked egg, they will try to eat it, which may prompt them to continue cracking their eggs to eat them. Therefore, removing broken eggs as quickly as possible is essential to avoid this habit.
Shavings and Straw Care
The sawdust or straw used in the coop should be checked and any parts soiled with egg yolk removed, replacing them with clean ones to ensure a clean environment and prevent egg contamination.
Cleaning and Storing Eggs
To maintain egg quality, there are some steps and guidelines to follow when cleaning and storing them:
Cleaning Eggs
It is recommended to wipe the eggs with a dry, rough cloth rather than washing them with water. This preserves the protective coating that prevents bacteria from entering. If eggs need to be washed, they should be soaked in warm water and gently scrubbed with a vegetable brush. Ensure they are completely dry before storing.
Storing Eggs
Eggs can be stored in the refrigerator or placed in designated containers outside. It is noted that chicken eggs remain tasty for two weeks and edible for a month when stored in the refrigerator. It is recommended to store them on the shelves rather than in the refrigerator door, as frequent opening of the door can cause them to move and slide, increasing the chance of breakage.
These procedures help maintain the quality and cleanliness of eggs and ensure the safety of food consumed.
How to take care of chickens
Daily Care
To ensure the health and safety of your chickens, daily care is essential. This can be accomplished through the following steps:
Provide clean water daily and disinfect or replace water containers as needed.
Provide sufficient food, either using hanging feeders or by providing specific daily feed rations.
Collect eggs daily and dispose of damaged eggs.
Spend time monitoring the general health of your chickens by checking their feathers, eyes, and activity level.
Monthly Care
Monthly tasks in chicken care include:
Replace the straw the chickens rest on according to the established cleaning regimen. It is recommended to replace it at least once in residential areas, while in large groups, it is recommended to place a layer of about 10 cm thick when feces accumulate, then collect it and use it as nitrogen-rich fertilizer.
Clean the sleeping boxes of wet or hardened straw and egg residue.
Wash the water containers with a cleaning solution such as dish soap and rinse them thoroughly. Then, sterilize them with a simple disinfectant such as a bleach solution (one part bleach to 10 parts water).
Annual Care
Annual chicken care procedures include the following steps:
A thorough cleaning and disinfection of the coop using the aforementioned bleach solution, and spraying the soil and ceiling to prevent mite infestation and maintain the health of the chickens.
Preparing the coop for the winter season, ensuring adequate space for movement within the coop to ensure warmth and protect the chickens from the cold.
By following these steps regularly, you can ensure a clean and safe environment for your chickens, enhancing their health and productivity.
conclusion
In conclusion, raising chickens at home is a beneficial and rewarding venture that requires careful planning and attention to all aspects. This includes building a safe and well-equipped housing to ensure the birds' health, providing a balanced diet that meets their egg and meat production goals, and ensuring daily, monthly, and annual care to ensure the chickens' hygiene and overall health. Following these systematic procedures contributes to high productivity and excellent egg and meat quality, in addition to utilizing chicken waste as a natural fertilizer resource, which positively impacts the farm's environment and sustainability.