How to Raise Poultry

Owning a farm and raising beef cattle has taught me a valuable lesson. When it comes to my food, I would much rather raise it myself then buy any kind of store bought meat. I have control over what the animal consumes when it comes to hormones and antibiotics. I know that the animals were raised in a humane, healthy manner. But the biggest reason being, that it cuts my grocery bill in half.

I have recently seen the benefits of raising Poultry. With little effort, you can have fresh eggs everyday, as well as plenty of meat for your freezer. If you live outside the city limits and have at least an acre of land, you can easily maintain a Poultry enclosure.

Turkeys, chickens and ducks of all types are available at your local hatchery. You may want Poultry strictly for egg laying purposes. Some Poultry is breed only for meat. But whichever you choose, you will need to purchase them when they are babies.

When it comes to Poultry feed it can be purchased at any farm supply store. You will want to go with a chick starter mix. Although it may be a bit more expensive, you will want to buy unmedicated feed. This way it has no antibiotics or hormones. Usually with only a few birds, in a clean environment, there is not much to worry about by way of disease.

If you do not live in a warm climate, you can only raise chicks in the summer. The chicks need to be near 100 degrees for the first week. Their water has to also be kept around 90 degrees.

We purchased a small kiddie swimming pool, and lined it out with paper towels. You can use light bulbs hung into the pool, to keep the chicks warm. In the summer in an enclosure, this can be attempted. Any other time the temperature goes below 55 degrees at night, you will have to keep the chicks inside.

When they are about four weeks old they can be removed from the kiddie pool. An enclosed area is best for the birds. Especially if they are intended for food. Many people have, "Free-range" Poultry and insist that it is healthier for the bird. However every time I have tried this, the birds are attacked by coyotes, raccoons and dogs. I suggest a small closed in area, with some kind of hutch. Make sure that any opening is covered with chicken wire and any doors tightly fastened, to keep out predators.

Birds do not like sleeping on the ground. They prefer to be up high away from any impending predator. Take a few pieces of wood and make a small stair pattern, leading to a platform. You can also put small boxes with hay on the top of the platform for egg laying birds.

Raising Poultry is not hard. I spend only 15 minutes a day maintaining them. I feel better knowing where my food is coming from, and I enjoy the fresh eggs. Just be sure to keep the enclosure far away from the house, to avoid any bad smells.