Chickens on Your Hobby Farm

Farmers have been raising chickens for centuries. Not only do they produce delicious eggs, but when matured can be used for some great meat. Chickens are fairly easy to raise, but can be very vulnerable to predators and disease. Simple shelters and feeding areas need to be constructed to house the chickens and keep them safe at night and during inclement weather. Read further for more information to raising chickens.

Chickens will need a simple shelter referred to as a chicken coop. The USDA recommends at least 4 square feet per chicken. A typical coop is 8 feet by 8 feet which can house about 16 birds. You could put in more birds successfully, but over crowding can lead to more prevalent disease as well as fighting amongst the chickens. Inside the coop you will need to build some perches for the chickens to sit on. Anything will work, old 2 by 4's, fallen timber or even an old wooden ladder. Chickens will peck at anything, so you will have to keep an eye out for any weak spots in the perches that may break. Simply toss the perch and replace it with something else. The door to the chicken house should be very small, just large enough for the chickens to enter and exit, but nothing larger. It will also need a flap in which you can close at night at during any wintry weather.