How to Raise Chickens

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Chickens are one of the most enjoyable farm animals to raise and, fortunately, you don’t need much space to do just that. In fact, the popularity of urban/backyard chicken farming is now a movement, with owners of small flocks gaining the nutritional benefits of independently grown and farm-fresh eggs. Whether you have 40 acres at your disposal, or just a small yard in the city, our How To Raise Chickens section explains how to build a successful flock. Feel free to “scratch around.”

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Frequently Asked Questions

What Are The Costs to Raise Chickens?
  • Picking up your chicks at a farm store is an exciting day when starting your own home flock, whether that’s in your backyard, in an urban setting, or on a farm. Before that day arrives, however, you need to get your brooder set up and running. LEARN MORE
  • What Helps Chickens Lay Eggs?
  • ood quality feed, daylight, and adequate water supply are just some of the factors that help with egg production. For instance, did you know that chicken eggs are about 70% water? Watch and learn as we share this and other helpful tips to help you better understand what helps chickens lay eggs. LEARN MORE
  • Why Use Crumble Vs Pellets?
  • When you start your chicks you begin by feeding them crumble, but as they grow switching them to pellets can be beneficial because pellets are less wasteful. Watch and learn as we explain why we use crumble or pellets when feeding chickens. LEARN MORE
  • Chicken Breeds to Start With & Why?
  • Explore a few breeds of chickens that are commonly raised by homesteaders and farmers alike. The following covers these breeds in some detail so you’ll know how to start your flock each season. LEARN MORE
    1. Cornish cross chick in a brooder surrounded by more chicks.

      What You Really Need When You’re Starting Meat Birds

      What You Really Need When You’re Starting Meat Birds Read more
      5 Min
    2. Meat Bird Chick standing next to a feeder in a brooder.

      Choosing the Right Feed for Your Meat Birds

      Choosing the Right Feed for Your Meat Birds Read more
      5 Min
    3. Meat bird chicks in a brooder looking up at the heat lamp.

      Raising Meat Birds: What We Learned the Hard Way

      Raising Meat Birds: What We Learned the Hard Way Read more
      5 Min
    4. chicks looking toward the camera in a brooder

      The 8 Things You Need To Start Raising Chicks

      The 8 Things You Need To Start Raising Chicks Read more
      5 Min
    5. Which Chicken Breeds Should I Start With and Why?

      Which Chicken Breeds Should I Start With and Why?

      Which Chicken Breeds Should I Start With and Why? Read more
      7 minutes Min
    6. Black and white chickens eating feed off the ground

      Feeding Chickens, From Chick Starter to Egg Layers

      Feeding Chickens, From Chick Starter to Egg Layers Read more
      5 Min
    7. A chick sitting on top of a feeder

      Which Chicken Breed(s) Should I Choose?

      Which Chicken Breed(s) Should I Choose? Read more
      5 Min
    8. Backyard chickens pecking at the ground inside a wire fence enclosure with a coop in the background

      Are Chicks That Have Been Vaccinated for Marek’s Disease Still Organic?

      Are Chicks That Have Been Vaccinated for Marek’s Disease Still Organic? Read more
      5 Min
    9. Chicks on the ground standing near a feeder and a waterer

      Why Use Crumble vs Pellets when Feeding Chickens?

      Why Use Crumble vs Pellets when Feeding Chickens? Read more
      5 Min
    10. Eggs in a hemp nesting bed.

      What Helps Chickens to Lay Eggs?

      What Helps Chickens to Lay Eggs? Read more
      5 Min
    11. How Much Does It Cost to Raise Chickens?

      How Much Does It Cost to Raise Chickens?

      How Much Does It Cost to Raise Chickens? Read more
      5 Min
    12. Hens in nesting box.

      What is Marek’s Disease?

      What is Marek’s Disease? Read more
      5 Min
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