Member-only story

Backyard Chickens: The Biggest Mistakes Made

Chad Price

·7.2k Followers· Follow

Published in Backyard Chickens: The 5 Biggest Mistakes I Made

6 min read · 2 weeks before

319 View Claps

39 Respond

Save

Listen

More and more people are turning to backyard chickens for fresh eggs, pest control, and companionship. But raising chickens isn't always as easy as it looks. In fact, there are a number of common mistakes that can lead to problems such as disease, poor egg production, and even death.

Backyard Chickens: The 5 Biggest Mistakes I Made

by Arlene Lee

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1795 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	16 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

If you're thinking about starting your own backyard flock, it's important to be aware of these mistakes and how to avoid them. Here are the 10 biggest mistakes that backyard chicken keepers make:

1. Not ng your research

One of the biggest mistakes that backyard chicken keepers make is not ng their research before they get started. This can lead to a number of problems, such as choosing the wrong breed of chicken, not providing adequate housing or nutrition, and not being prepared for common health problems.

Before you get started, take some time to learn about different breeds of chickens and their needs. You should also research chicken housing, nutrition, and health care. This will help you make informed decisions about how to care for your flock.

2. Getting too many chickens

Another common mistake is getting too many chickens. It's important to remember that chickens are social animals and need space to roam. A good rule of thumb is to have no more than 5 chickens per 100 square feet of space.

If you have too many chickens, they will be overcrowded and stressed, which can lead to health problems and poor egg production. It's also important to keep in mind that chickens need to be able to get out and forage. If you don't have enough space for them to do this, they will become bored and destructive.

3. Not providing adequate housing

Chickens need a safe and comfortable place to live. The coop should be well-ventilated, weatherproof, and predator-proof. It should also be large enough for the number of chickens you have.

In addition to the coop, chickens also need a run where they can get out and exercise. The run should be at least 10 feet by 10 feet, and it should be fenced in with chicken wire.

4. Not feeding your chickens a balanced diet

Chickens need a balanced diet that includes protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals. A good quality commercial feed will provide all of the nutrients your chickens need.

In addition to their feed, chickens also need access to fresh water at all times. You should also offer them grit, which is a type of gravel that helps them digest their food.

5. Not vaccinating your chickens

Chickens are susceptible to a number of diseases, including Marek's disease, Newcastle disease, and fowl pox. Vaccination is the best way to protect your chickens from these diseases.

Talk to your veterinarian about which vaccines are right for your flock. You should vaccinate your chickens according to the manufacturer's instructions.

6. Not worming your chickens

Chickens can also be infected with worms. Worms can cause a number of health problems, including weight loss, diarrhea, and anemia. It's important to worm your chickens regularly to prevent these problems.

There are a number of different worming products available. Talk to your veterinarian about which product is right for your flock.

7. Not providing adequate health care

Chickens can get sick just like any other animal. It's important to be able to recognize the signs of illness and to provide prompt treatment.

Some of the most common signs of illness in chickens include:

Lethargy
Loss of appetite
Diarrhea
Sneezing
Coughing
Discharge from the eyes or nose

If you notice any of these signs of illness, it's important to contact your veterinarian immediately.

8. Not being prepared for predators

Chickens are prey animals, and there are a number of predators that can threaten them. These predators include foxes, coyotes, hawks, and owls.

It's important to take steps to protect your chickens from predators. Some of the things you can do include:

Building a strong and secure coop
Fencing in your run
Providing your chickens with hiding places
Getting a guard dog

9. Not being prepared for winter

If you live in a cold climate, it's important to be prepared for winter. Chickens can't tolerate cold temperatures, so you need to make sure that their coop is well-insulated.

You should also provide your chickens with extra food and water during the winter months. This will help them stay warm and healthy.

10. Not being prepared for molting

Molting is a natural process that occurs when chickens lose their old feathers and grow new ones. Molting can be stressful for chickens, so it's important to be prepared for it.

Some of the things you can do to help your chickens through molting include: