An entertaining introductory regarding raising chickens for beginners.
I’m bringing in the spring and going to get the chicks.
Picking out chicks is one of my favorite memories with my kids. Every spring, we go to one of the local farm supply stores and buy a few chicks.
Each child gets to pick out a baby or two. Then, they get to name them. It’s one of our ways of bringing in spring.
Here are some names: Life and Death (who understands the mind of a preteen boy?), Cupcake, Marshmallow, Pepper, Godzilla, Colonel Clank’s Girlfriend, Carmel, and Sugar (Some of the little girls’ names make my teeth hurt.)
Our roosters’ names are Colonel Samari, Colonel Clank, and Colonel Cowboy. The boys named all the roosters if you have not guessed.
For the why and how to choose a chick:
In our culture, we are so removed from nature, food sources, and life cycles.
Please consider why chickens are a great idea.
Proven Reasons for Raising A Few Happy Chickens! – (kidscluckersandthewildwest.com)
Chickens bring this home—life, death, and messiness.
These little ones depend on us for everything: Heat, water, food, and even cleaning their tiny fluffy keesters.
I’ve learned that these tiny chicks teach us so much. These lessons include being responsible and gentle and touching these chicks in a way that will not hurt or scare them.
We do this as a family to connect with others. We are connecting and engaging with each other. Connecting with an animal, they are naming them and holding them.
These little animals are therapeutic!
Something is healing and wholesome about holding these little fluff balls. And for kids that have been through hard things, this can be incredibly healing.
We choose specific chickens for our situation.
They are egg layers and can handle the cold in the Mountain West.
The local farm stores will know which chickens do well in your area. But here is an additional link for more information.
Backyard Chicken Basics | Almanac.com
Be Brave
Taking your kids to pick out chicks is a lot like taking your kids to get Halloween costumes.
There are great expectations and frazzled nerves. Mind-boggling conversations occur. “You can’t choose that chick. It’s just like mine.”
Disapproving look from the store staff placing the chicks in a box. Hushed, angry whisper, “Just choose a chick!”
Then, you get to stand in line with the box of chicks. Naturally, there is a line of ten people behind you. “Mom, who gets to hold the box in the car?”
(An ensuing conversation that is typically loud and heated. A glance behind you. The ten people are frowning.) Growling and a dirty look can convince them to wait until you leave the store to continue this conversation.
After leaving the store, you will need to use problem-solving.
You know, the math skills you swore you would never need in junior high.
If you are traveling 20 miles at 45 miles an hour, how many minutes will it take you to get from point A to point B? Then divide that by however many kids you have, and that is how long each child will get to hold the box of chicks on the way home.
However, if an accident occurs and it is dropped, and the chicks get out, there could be trouble.
And at that point, you should be glad you weren’t transporting pigs or goats. Good luck explaining this mess to the police officer who pulled you over for distracted driving.
Sometimes, the best thing about a family outing is when it’s over.
In Preparation
Raising Chickens for Beginners’ tips:
Getting chicks is a big decision. It’s a lot of fun, and I believe one way to increase providing for yourself and your family, but it is a big decision.
It should be done after careful consideration of time constraints, financial constraints, living conditions, and chicken coops.
Before bringing the chicks home, you must set up a brooder area.
In this area, you will need a heating device (I would recommend the ones that are not as dangerous as a heat lamp), pine shavings or a type of bedding, vitamins or sugar that you place in the water, and baby chick food.
Setting up the area should be done with significant consideration.
It should be draft-free, predator-free (this includes the family cat), and warm. I usually put a plastic storage bin in the bathtub.
You will need to read specifics on the food, water, type of heat, and cleaning the vent on the chicks.
It also helps to have a thermometer to place in the chick brooder.
Check the temperature often. The young chicks typically start at 95-90 degrees. The temperature decreases each week slightly as the chicks get older.
They will need droppings cleaned off of their vents as this can create a blockage, which I can only imagine as very uncomfortable.
I have used Murray McMurray Hatchery, which has an excellent information page.
Murray McMurray Hatchery – Frequently Asked Questions
Therapeutic Chickens!
We cannot run from pain and divorce, death, or truth.
But we can give our kids a healthy lifestyle and positive experiences. Chickens are one of many ways to do this!
