What to Feed Pet Chickens

Many are reaping the benefits of keeping chickens for pets. Fresh eggs daily, pests kept to a minimum, and the fact that chickens are naturally social creatures that, once warmed up, enjoy the company of their human masters. But what most are having trouble with is figuring out what to feed their growing flock.

For some, commercial products found at local feed stores may supply enough for growing hens. Many store brand foods are formulated to provide enough nutrients and vitamins so that your chickens are getting just what they need on a daily basis. These foods are also available in pellets or bite size pieces making it easier for your chickens to digest. The upside to these commercial products is they are less expensive and come in large sizes that can be used over a length of time. The downside to these products is that often times they are stuffed with fillers and unnecessary preservatives. Sometimes, depending on the company, these products may even contain pesticides and chemicals that are harmful to your chickens.

Higher quality and organic feed is preferred for chickens as they provide the proper nutrients and vitamins without all the added fillers, and harmful chemicals. These grade foods may be a bit more expensive, but will help improve your chickens overall health. They are available through local feed stores and online websites. Additionally, one could always go about making their own feed for their flock to be extra sure of what will be going into the meal. Check with local vets for the best recommended ingredients or products available for the best quality your flock well deserves. Local vets can also help by providing you with plenty of information to help you in keeping your flock.

Whatever the feed choice you go with always be sure whatever is left over is properly stored and sealed. All unused feed should be stored in a sealed container and maintained at proper temperature in order to ensure the quality of the food, and preserve this quality for a longer length of time. If food gets wet or remain at unsafe temperatures then the feed will ultimately be harmful for your growing flock.

Always be sure that your chickens and baby chicks have fresh and clean water. Many times feces and other harmful things can be kicked up and knocked into your chicken's water, therefore it is recommended that an automatic waterer is used for those messy chicks. These waterers keep harmful bits and pieces from entering into the main tank, and can be easily cleaned for future uses.

Always check local and state laws before raising chickens just to be sure you will not find yourself in a horrible situation. Be sure to provide adequate shelter and safety for your growing flock. And last, but certainly not least, have fun with your flock as they naturally enjoy the attention from their human masters.

Suzie O'Connor is the owner of ChickenHousesPlus.com located in sunny Florida.? The company carries an extensive selection of fertile chicken eggs, quail eggs, and other fertilized eggs plus egg incubators, brooder boxes, organic chicken feed, chicken houses and much more.? Customer service may be reached via live chat on the site or at 888-595-5306.

Pets - Chickens Are Fun and Productive to Keep

That's right! When it comes to pets, chickens are often over looked but they are very easy to look after and can be such fun.

Pet chickens offer more than most pets by providing food for the table - both eggs and meat. So when thinking of pets, chickens really do take the lead!

Before getting any pets, chickens or otherwise, you need to think about:

What do they eat?

What other care requirements do they have?

How about the pet chicken coop?

Let's look at the answers to these common questions.

Feeding Your New Pets. Chickens Are Not Difficult To Please

If chickens can free range they will find a great deal of their food from the ground. Throughout the summer months they should extract roughly 1/2 to 2/3 of their needs from foraging and scratching about but in the winter this drops to perhaps about 1/3.

If chickens are confined to a pet chicken coop, run, pen or small area then this will drop dramatically and it may be that they get virtually none of their feed requirement from the ground. You need to use reasonable judgment when considering how big an area they have available in which to forage and whether this reduces the need for supplementary feeding.

Many pre-made feeds are available. Chickens often like mixed corn and seem to prefer it over the pellets but as pellets offer a more balanced nutrition they should not be excluded - especially where hens are confined.

Don't be put off from mixing your own traditional feed. Look for recipes in old fashioned books as these tend to be easy to grow and prepare.

We like to make up our own feed mixes. We find it to be cheaper but more importantly we know just what has gone into the feed. We also grow a range of greens and seeds that our chickens love.

Care Requirements Of Your New Pets. Chickens Are Not Demanding.

Just like any pets, chickens need care and although they are not very demanding they do appreciate a set routine. Make sure before you decide to keep chickens that you are able to at least...

Close your chickens into a safe secure area at night, protected from predators.

Let them out in the morning and put them to bed at night.

Move their pen regularly to give them access to fresh ground, or allow them free range which is even better!

Feed them and provide fresh clean water at all times.

Like other pets, chickens need somewhere to live! Have a large enough coop to avoid crowding and allow natural behaviour.

Having an appropriate pet chicken coop goes a long way to making sure your chickens stay happy, healthy and productive. You might build your own or choose from the wide array available to buy. Whichever way you choose to go, at the least ensure your pet chicken coop provides:

Enough room for the chickens to live comfortably together

A dry, draught-free place to sleep

A nesting area that is dark

Somewhere to keep food dry

It wants to be easy to clean

Easy to move to fresh ground unless your chickens roam free.

Constructed from pressure treated timber.

Well although this was only a brief article I hope it will encourage you to consider keeping chickens for pets. They are rewarding and easy to keep.

This online shop features a wide selection of pet chicken coops [http://www.the-pet-chicken-coop-shop.co.uk/home.html] ranging from those suitable for just a pair of hens up to larger flocks of more than 10.

Find more advice, ideas information and stories about living the self sufficient good life on this amusing yet informative self-sufficiency site and blog!