If you have decided to raise your own flock, you may feel a bit flustered trying to figure out just the right steps to take to raising a successful flock.
Here are the top ten tricks and tips on how to keep a successful, healthy and happy flock.
1.
A proper diet: It comes as no surprise that the top reason is a proper diet.
In order to keep your flock happy and successful, they must first be healthy.
Check with local vets or feed stores to figure out what is the best food for your flock 2.
Shelter: Next you must provide your flock with proper shelter.
There are many affordable chicken coops available, or for those more crafty, build your own! There are plenty of websites that sell the materials and even building plans for you to create your own.
3.
Grazing Room: Provide your flock plenty of space to roam around and graze.
A happy flock is not one that is locked up all day.
Relate to tip number 5 to figure out just how much grazing room you should provide for your flock.
4.
More than one: A chicken always does better in a flock.
Ideally 3 or more chickens work well together, but keep in mind the amount of space you have available for your flock.
5.
Space: A good rule of thumb is 10 square feet per bird.
Therefore, take into how many chickens you plan on having, and apply the rule to figure out just how much space you should dedicate to your flock.
Of course, it's perfectly OK to give your flock more than that, but anything less would be uncomfortable to your flock.
6.
Safety: Be sure that whatever area you do provide for your flock, you also provide plenty of safety.
A fence is ideal for safety, allows for your flock to roam free but also still keeps them safe from predators.
7.
Weather accommodations: Be sure that you can properly accommodate your flock for unexpected weather changes.
Your shelter will tie into this.
Be sure to have properly ventilated shelter, as well as shelter that can provide warmth for those cold nights.
8.
Nesting house: If you have decided to raise your flock for their eggs, be sure to provide them adequate space to nest in.
Also be sure to provide plenty of materials for your chickens to use to create their own nest.
9.
Collect eggs promptly: In addition to the above tip, be sure to collect any eggs promptly to ensure they do not spoil.
Additionally be sure to keep eggs cool if they are for consumption, or incubate them if you plan on hatching them.
10.
Provide attention and love: No matter how cliche, the best way to ensure your flock is happy is to provide plenty of attention and love to them.
The best way to catch sickness, or unhappy chickens, is to be very attentive so that you can catch it early.
Here are the top ten tricks and tips on how to keep a successful, healthy and happy flock.
1.
A proper diet: It comes as no surprise that the top reason is a proper diet.
In order to keep your flock happy and successful, they must first be healthy.
Check with local vets or feed stores to figure out what is the best food for your flock 2.
Shelter: Next you must provide your flock with proper shelter.
There are many affordable chicken coops available, or for those more crafty, build your own! There are plenty of websites that sell the materials and even building plans for you to create your own.
3.
Grazing Room: Provide your flock plenty of space to roam around and graze.
A happy flock is not one that is locked up all day.
Relate to tip number 5 to figure out just how much grazing room you should provide for your flock.
4.
More than one: A chicken always does better in a flock.
Ideally 3 or more chickens work well together, but keep in mind the amount of space you have available for your flock.
5.
Space: A good rule of thumb is 10 square feet per bird.
Therefore, take into how many chickens you plan on having, and apply the rule to figure out just how much space you should dedicate to your flock.
Of course, it's perfectly OK to give your flock more than that, but anything less would be uncomfortable to your flock.
6.
Safety: Be sure that whatever area you do provide for your flock, you also provide plenty of safety.
A fence is ideal for safety, allows for your flock to roam free but also still keeps them safe from predators.
7.
Weather accommodations: Be sure that you can properly accommodate your flock for unexpected weather changes.
Your shelter will tie into this.
Be sure to have properly ventilated shelter, as well as shelter that can provide warmth for those cold nights.
8.
Nesting house: If you have decided to raise your flock for their eggs, be sure to provide them adequate space to nest in.
Also be sure to provide plenty of materials for your chickens to use to create their own nest.
9.
Collect eggs promptly: In addition to the above tip, be sure to collect any eggs promptly to ensure they do not spoil.
Additionally be sure to keep eggs cool if they are for consumption, or incubate them if you plan on hatching them.
10.
Provide attention and love: No matter how cliche, the best way to ensure your flock is happy is to provide plenty of attention and love to them.
The best way to catch sickness, or unhappy chickens, is to be very attentive so that you can catch it early.
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