{"id":315,"date":"2023-02-15T19:23:37","date_gmt":"2023-02-15T19:23:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mistydawnfarmfl.com\/?p=315"},"modified":"2023-02-17T20:02:49","modified_gmt":"2023-02-17T20:02:49","slug":"keeping-chickens-101-the-basics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mistydawnfarmfl.com\/?p=315","title":{"rendered":"Keeping Chickens 101 – The Basics"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Here you\u2019ll find everything you need to know about the basics of raising chickens. In this post I’ll go over the following: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

-When to move chicks to the coop<\/p>\n\n\n\n

-The coop<\/p>\n\n\n\n

-When to switch from grower to layer feed<\/p>\n\n\n\n

-Free range chickens<\/p>\n\n\n\n

-The first egg<\/p>\n\n\n\n

-Molting<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s get into Chickens 101…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

 The Chick<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This post will go over what you need to know to raise chickens. But if you\u2019re still at the very beginning, in the brand-new chick stage, then you can check out my post here: Raising Chicks \u2013 6 Tips for the Beginner<\/a>  where I go over the basics of that stage.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When to Move Chicks to the Coop<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Chicks can\u2019t regulate their own body temperature, so giving them a heat source for the right amount of time is important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Typically, if they\u2019re fully feathered (around 6 weeks old) and the outside temperature is above 65, then heat is no longer needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But moving the chicks from the brooder to the coop doesn\u2019t have to wait that long. I will move my chicks into an outdoor space around 3-4 weeks of age. I make sure that the space has a draft free area where I can give them a heat source, and that it is securely enclosed from predators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Coop<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Chicks will sleep on the ground, huddled together, until around 6-8 weeks old. At 8-10 weeks of age, they will need a roost provided.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chickens don\u2019t grip a perch like wild birds do. A good-sized flat surface is better. A 2×4, with the 4\u201d side up, is perfect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When making the roost, keep in mind that grown chickens will need about 8 inches of space per bird. Larger breeds will need 10 inches.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nesting boxes need to be provided around 15 weeks of age. If you put them in the coop sooner than that, the chickens will start using them to roost on, and you\u2019ll have nests full of poop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ratio is one nest box to every four hens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When to Switch from Grower to Layer Feed<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Chicks need a grower feed, with higher protein and lower calcium, for the first 13-15 weeks of life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At this point, you\u2019ll want to switch to a layer feed. Crumbles or pellets. Doing so now will start to provide the needed calcium and nutrients for beginning egg laying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Free Range Chickens<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I start to free range my chickens at 8-10 weeks old.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I will start by allowing them out an hour or two before dark. Keeping an eye on them. They will return to their familiar roost at dark, and you can close the door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gradually extend the time spent out, over the next few weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have trouble with predators, you may not have the option of free ranging. In which case, a chicken tractor may be the way to go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The First Egg<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Most chickens will begin to lay eggs around 16-22 weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Large breeds, such as the Jersey Giant and Brahmas, will mature slower, and it can be 6-8 months before they begin to lay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first eggs a chicken lays are small, and are called \u201cpullet eggs\u201d. A chicken will continue to lay smaller eggs for about 4 weeks. They will gradually get larger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the first year of laying, chickens will lay the most eggs of their lives. As the years go by, they will lay fewer eggs, until year 4-5 when they stop altogether.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Molting<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Chickens will molt annually. This is a process they go through to replenish and replace their feathers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first adult molt will usually happen around 18 months of age. A molt can last anywhere from 8-12 weeks. Typically it starts in the late Summer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some chickens will have a \u201csoft\u201d molt, meaning that they lose feathers slowly and you can\u2019t really tell it\u2019s happening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some have a \u201chard\u201d molt, in which the chicken will dramatically lose feathers and will appear very rough looking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chickens cannot lay eggs during a molt. Their body will be focusing its energy on replacing feathers. Once the process is complete, the egg laying will resume.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n