Chicken coops plans

What country and state are you in?Most of the best laying breeds and industrial strains are available all over the world.There are also rare, endangered hierloom varieties that perform well.

Unless you are establishing a commercial egg operation.If just a small back yard flock, then most breeds will do well for you.Most people would rather have a fun, pretty bird, pretty egg and get 4-5 eggs …

We’ve had our egg laying chickens for about 8 months. It’s my first experience raising chickens and there has been a lot to learn.

Egg Laying Chickens for Beginners

When we first decided to raise chickens our coop was not yet constructed, but we went ahead and made arrangements to buy a half dozen pullets (young hens) from a nearby farm. Since our farm was not equipped with a space …

…a delight–practical and charming. We’ve sold hundreds of copies….So glad it’s back in print. PAUL HANSEN & MARY GLEYSTEEN, EAGLE HARBOR BOOK CO., BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, WA I love this book–written in such a natural, endearing voice–makes me want to climb into a hammock in the middle of a green field, breathe in a farm and listen to the chickens cluck. ANNA QUINN, THE …

Think you want to keep some chickens on your small farm or homestead? Maybe you’re looking for laying hens only, or a combination of laying hens and birds for meat, but you’re not sure you know how to care for them? I’ll take you step by step through everything you need to know.

Should You Raise Chickens?

Chickens are a great species to start with on the farm – they’re easy to …

Does the thought of a fresh organic egg sizzling in the frying pan whet your appetite and make you want to rush straight to a hatchery to buy a brood of chicks? If so, here are a few things to consider before you go – where will the flock live, roam, and eat? By definition, free range means not confined or fenced, barrier free – so plan for your flock. Let’s examine how to raise chickens …

“Okay caged egg layers versus free range chickens. Now this is a major issue for a lot of people right now that want to believe their chickens are being well kept. You do have to know your producer or at least believe the box that you are reading. This cage in front of me would be typical in size of a caged egg laying cage. It is much higher than they normally would be. They really …

Have you ever thought of raising chickens as a way to supplement your family food? It’s a good idea for frugal living and it can work well for you in the country as well as the city.

If you like chicken meat, you’ll be able to raise some of the biggest and best you have ever had. If you like chicken eggs, then you’ll be even more pleased at the potential outcome of raising your own flock …

Eating green stuff and bugs is great for chickens. Mine eat plenty. However, if you want your chickens to produce lots of eggs, and not get reproductive issues, then you do need to feed them a good-quality layer feed as well as an extra calcium supplement, such as oyster shell, sold at any feedstore. Both should be fed free-choice. I chose a low-soy organic feed because the number 1 cause of …

Barn Construction

The design and construction of our passive solar barn has many of the same features as our passive solar greenhouse. It is stick-frame construction and will be insulated with blown cellulose (hopefully before winter hits). There are three double-pane windows and 2 doors that provide ample ventilation when open. The interior is painted with white exterior house paint in order …

This section is for basic “how to do it yourself” guidance — click on a link below to go to that page.

Hatching Eggs How to Hatch Eggs - #1 of a series

Dry Incubation by Bill Worrell

Homemade Incubators – Make your own chicken egg incubator using designs submitted by our chicken forum community.

Candling Pics: Progression Through Incubation (including …