When hatching in a tabletop incubator, I've found that I get the best results when I keep the humidity near 45% for the first .... and then ...| Farmstead Chickens
If you are new to raising chickens, here are several articles and other information that will be useful to you when planning your flock. Articles Planning to start your flock How many chickens should I get? How much space do chickens need? — An important question to answer when your are planning to build or…| Farmstead Chickens
It’s important to give your chickens plenty of space. Overcrowding can lead to all sorts of problems. Pecking. Aggression. Poor health. Transmission of diseases. Chickens don’t thrive in an overcrowded coop. How much space is enough? A common recommendation you’ll hear is one that is insufficient — 4 square foot per chicken. Not only is…| Farmstead Chickens
Although individual laying hens can live for 10-15 years and occasionally longer, the average number of eggs that hens lay tends to drop off as they age. We have hens that are productive after 4 years of laying, and we have had hens that died at 2-3 years of age. Things vary quite a bit…| Farmstead Chickens
A brooder is a space to raise baby chicks. A place that supplies warmth and protection. When baby chicks hatch in an incubator (or when you first purchase them), they need additional heat in order to stay warm. That’s because their bodies are small and because they have only downy feathers. Over the next 4-6…| Farmstead Chickens
I've found that the Black Australorps I hatch and raise (a heritage strain) typically start to lay their first eggs at around 6-7 months of age.| Farmstead Chickens
Started pullets are female chickens that are at least a few weeks old. Different suppliers sell them at different ages. It’s common to find started pullets anywhere from 4-5 weeks old on up to several months old. If you’re new to raising chickens, started pullets are an excellent way to start your flock, for several…| Farmstead Chickens
It depends on where you are with raising chickens. If you're new to raising chickens .... If you've raised them before, then the way you can ...| Farmstead Chickens
It takes about 21 days for chicken eggs to hatch under a broody hen (or in an incubator) but some eggs can take up to 22-23 days.| Farmstead Chickens