How to Raise Chickens

(Page 2 of 2)

February/March 2003
By Cheryl Long 
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The young hens (called pullets) will start laying eggs when they are about 20 to 24 weeks old, and they will lay five to six eggs a week. This means four hens will give you nearly two dozen eggs a week. As daylight hours dwindle in the fall, production will decline and the birds will molt. In the spring, they will grow new feathers and increase their laying rate. Each year, expect their annual egg production to drop by about 20 percent. (The upside: Their flavor as stewing chickens will increase!)

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How to Give Mini-coop Birds a Dusting Area

Chickens love to take dust baths, and the dust helps prevent parasites on their feathers and skin. If you let your birds run free part of the time, they will probably find a good dusting spot on their own. You can give them some help by placing a deep boxful of dry, loose dirt where it won't get rained on, but near their pen. If you keep them in a mini-coop all the time, place the dust bathtub in the coop once a week or so. Or, if you leave the bottom of your portable coop open (no wire mesh), then you can just roll the coop over a dusting area of your choice. 

For more detailed information on raising chickens, check out The Chicken and Egg page.

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Comments

  • Pat 2/9/2009 11:25:42 AM

    I have had a chicken as a pet for 14 years. Does anyone know how long they can live to be.

  • aulaire 2/3/2009 1:32:06 PM

    Wait--according to this article, the chickens will molt in autumn and not get all their new feathers til spring? ("As daylight hours dwindle in the fall, production will decline and the birds will molt. In the spring, they will grow new feathers and increase their laying rate.") This would mean they have poor feather protection in the coldest months. This doesn't sound correct, but I've never raised chickens before.

  • aulaire 2/3/2009 1:27:54 PM

    Wait--according to this article, the chickens will molt in autumn and not get all their new feathers til spring? This would mean they have poor feather protection in the coldest months. Is this correct?

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