How to Raise a Backyard Chicken

In this e-book I will outline the chicken breed that may be good for you. Also their water, food and incubator requirments. Their coup and also keeping chooks safe from predators.

First you need to decide on the appropriate chicken breed. Leghorn ( on cover ), Isa Brown ( e-book outline ) and Australorp ( photo ) are bred to produce eggs for you and your family.

Secondly you need to decide how many chickens you will have. The ideal number would be about 5 or 6, but numbers depend on the size or your coup.

Then you need buy a chicken coup. If you don't want to buy one, you can build one yourself. The chooks need to have a enclosed area and also a spot where they can run around.

These chicken water dispensers and feeders are ideal for your chooks. Be sure you have these before you buy your chickens.

When you have your day old chickens you need to have a Brooder. Brooders might not be avalible so a heat lamp could be a great solution. You need to have one if you want your chickens to survive.

The feed you need to feed the chicks is chicken starter and after a while you will need to feed the adult chooks, feed or pellets.

Predator proof your coup. If you make your own coup put wire or metal 50cm deep into the ground. Also make sure there is no places that a fox or dog could get in. Most coups you buy have a floor.

You must know how to handle the chicks so that you don't hurt them. You need to be careful what you do with them If you aren't sure about the guidelines then go to http://www.rspca.org.au

Then go to your local council and make sure you can keep chickens on your property.

Now you are set up and ready to go. Search around for a chicken sale or even better, go to a chicken farm where you will be able to get day old chickens.

They might be a little bit timid when they first get to your place, but after a week they should be fine.

The chickens should be weighed every week to make sure that they are healthy. Week 1- 43g Week 2- 87g Week 3/4- 211g Week 5- 336 If they are a small type of chook they might be a little bit smaller.

When they are about 12 months old the hens should be laying well. If you have roosters you will have to sell them because they don't lay eggs.

Glossary: Hen- Female chook over 12 months. Rooster- Male chook over 12 months. Coop- The chickens enclosure. Incubator- The heat source acting as the hen.

Thanks for watching. Enjoy your eggs.