#Chicken flocks how to

Determine what meets individual demands, and run electricity and water to the structure if needed. Housing can be as simple as a wire frame with a roof or as elaborate as a decorated chicken mansion.

Preparing the housing structure is the next big step.

#Chicken flocks how to

There is a lot to learn about how to care for birds and keep them healthy, what to do if they are sick, where to purchase feed, what kind of space each bird needs, and how to keep them warm in the winter and cool in the summer. вЂњWe get the byproduct of eggs, but raising chickens is interesting and a very whole experience,вЂќ Misita said. The coop they built is mobile, designed to be moved to a new location every few days to offer the chickens fresh foraging options. The family now has 25 birds of a few different varieties, and they raise them for eggs. вЂњHaving chickens is very fun and fascinating, but it is one more thing to have to take care of and do while trying to raise a family and live life,вЂќ Misita said. In mid-2020, Joel Misita of Natchez started raising chickens when he, his son Joseph and two of JosephвЂ™s fellow Boy Scouts designed and constructed an elaborate coop to house 11 chickens given to them by a friend. вЂњWho will care for the birds on a daily basis, and who will step in when you are out of town?вЂќ

вЂњThen you should talk to neighbors about your intention to establish a backyard flock, and determine the time commitment required to properly care for the birds,вЂќ he said. Be sure to observe all city or county ordinances that may be in place limiting the size of the flock and the presence of roosters. If the homeowner intends to sell meat or eggs, there are regulatory steps that include registering the flock with the Mississippi Board of Animal Health. Make sure that you have the time and money to devote to them before you start.вЂќД®ven before choosing a breed of chicken, there are decisions to be made. вЂњThereвЂ™s a reason you didnвЂ™t have chickens before now. вЂњRaising chickens is not as easy as you may have been led to believe. Tom Tabler, poultry specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said those considering starting a backyard flock need to make clear-headed plans before bringing home darling little chicks. Backyard chicken flocks continue to grow in popularity as Mississippians embrace the ability to produce some of their own food and enjoy the quirky personalities of the birds.