Raising Chickens

This book is intended for small scale raising of chickens often referred to as "Hobby Farming". Raising chickens can be very entertaining. They also make a good environmentally friendly way of disposing of organic waste; there is very little that a chicken won't eat. Chickens are flock birds and you'll probably get more than one.

Since this is a wiki, editing is allowed and indeed encouraged. If you don't feel comfortable about editing but would still like to contribute please see the |discussion page for this book.

Table of contents

 * Editing instructions

Starting up

 * Building a shelter (chicken/hen house)
 * Building a pen
 * Pen maintenance
 * Choosing a breed
 * Finding a hatchery
 * Local regulations

Taking care of your chickens

 * /Chicks/ (specific to chicks)
 * /Feeding/
 * /Watering/
 * /Winters/
 * /Keeping your chickens happy/
 * Dealing with death (unfortunately, it happens)
 * Butchering chickens

Other information

 * Information that doesn't fit elsewhere

Links

 * Urban chickens A great poultry web site


 * Chicken House Plans Build your own easy to build backyard chicken coop