Keeping Chickens
In order to start keeping chickens, you either have to have a broody hen to hatch the eggs or you can buy new chicks from a hatchery. However, you have to start preparing the area where you plan to keep the chicks before they arrive. The space you need depends on the number of chicks you want to start with. Generally there are about 100 day-old chicks in a box, so initially you will only need an area of about 200 square feet. If you intend to keep the chicks until they are fully-grown, you will have to expand because a full-grown hen needs about 2 square feet of space.
Clean and disinfect the area where you intend the keep the chicks. You will need a heat lamp to keep them warm, so you should turn this on the day before you expect the chicks to arrive. This will help warm up the walls and the floor. You should check to make sure there are no drafts. The area should have round corners. When the chicks get frightened, they will huddle together in a corner and it is likely that some of those closest to the corner will smother. Litter for the floor is a necessity. Wood shavings or chopped straw is good, but you should not have the straw chopped too coarsely. The chicks will find this hard to walk on because it is slippery. As the litter gets dirty, add more on top of it.
For the first few days, give the chicks a mixture of 1 tablespoon of molasses added to 1 gallon of water to help them recover from the journey of having been moved from their original location. They also need to have access to water. A water dish close by is essential and to let them know where it is you should take the time to dip each chick’s beak into it when they arrive.
Chicks will eat regular chicken feed that you can buy at any feed store. It has a good mixture of pure and cracked grains. You should make sure it doesn’t get wet or moldy or it will kill the chickens.
Once the hens start laying, you have to develop a system for collecting the eggs. Choose a time of day when they are outside the coop. When the hens are in the nest they are either laying or have just finished. When you first start collecting eggs, you may have to check the coop several times a day to get a feel for when the best time will be. Even if the hen is on the nest, talk very gently as you slide your hand underneath. If you move quickly you will frighten the hen and she may peck you.