Posts Tagged ‘gardening’

Chicken Care As Well As Requirements – Space And Money

Tuesday, May 18th, 2010

In this article, I want to share with you what you want to think about in terms of space and cash, if you would like to raise your own chicken. How much space do you need? How much budget do you prepare?

Space

Roughly each adult full-size chicken needs at least 2 sq. feet of floor space for shelter. If the chicken isn’t going to be running much, then 3 sq. feet for running space would be needed. So you need more space if you’ve more chickens. You also require a little more space to store feed and maybe you need a space to store the used litter and fertilizer.

Where should you put the chicken coop? The location is the next thing to think about, besides the real size of the space. You probably will not select your front garden to set up the coop and if feasible, you will want the chicken coop to be as some distance from your neighbors as practical in order to reduce the likelihood that they moan.

Cash

It is dependent on what sort of chickens you need to keep, but usually the cost of buying chickens won’t break your financial position. For example, adult hens usually cost less than $10, and chicks cost a few dollars each. Sometimes, you may even get free chickens.

Another major cost is the price of housing. Although they’re highly variable, they’re one-time cost. The least expensive option may be to utilize a corner of a barn with an old shed as a house, making your chickens free-ranging almost all of the time. A fancy chicken shed might cost you tons of dollars. Additionally, when you look for a ready assembled structure for some chickens, you could have to spend a pair hundred bucks.

Decide what you are able to afford before you come up with a housing plan and cost. Next, find out about differing kinds of chicken housing and then compare the costs of different housing for the best deal. Remember to include the shipping cost for pre-assembled materials.

Like some common brands of dry dog and cat food, commercial chicken feed is cost-effective. The amount you need to use is decided by how many chickens you have. In general, half pound of feed is required for an adult, full-size chicken a day. Your estimated cost of feed for 3 to 4 layers can be less than $20 a month.

how to build a hen house – Chicken coop building resources. Take a look yourself at plans for hen house

Internet-Based Chicken Pen Developing Programs

Monday, May 17th, 2010

You may save a pile of money and time by employing the Net to help build a DIY chicken pen. In reality the most difficult part is finding the right chicken pen building plans for your unique wants. This article explains the different options that you have, helping you get to the first step in this very practical woodworking project.

Little Vs Giant Chicken Pens

If you are only planning on breeding a bit of chickens, there are 2 main decisions of chicken coops: the a-frame, and the chicken ark. Both share a very similar frame, but end up looking quite different. The major difference is that the chicken ark employs 2 storeys, whereas the easy a-frame is just one.

As far as enormous chicken coops go, there are 3 options: the box-shaped coop, the hen house, and the premium chicken barn. The box-shaped coop is a bit smaller than the other two, and stands quite tall and narrow. It’s great if you’ve only got a small yard. The hen house and chicken barn are massive, and both make use of a huge attached chicken run. They’re for the significant chicken breeder.

Picking the Best Wood

All the formerly mentioned chicken pens are built typically from wood. Treated pine is the least expensive and easiest to work with. However, if you’d like to go for something all natural, and more expensive, you can go wrong with naturally rot resistant cedar.

Other building materials include chicken wire, plywood, chipboard, and metal pickets. Of course, the complete materials list will be included with whatever chicken pen building plans you eventually decide to go with.

Whereabout to find Construction Plans

This draft is targeted on internet-based plans. However, if you don’t trust the web, you’ll potentially be in a position to find prime quality chicken coop plans in your local ironmongery shop, or bookstore.

Online plans usually come in packages of multiple designs. This is great if you don’t really want to make a style call immediately. You will be ready to go over each schematic, and choose which is best for your wishes.

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How To Create Your Own Chicken Shed

Sunday, May 16th, 2010

More people are beginning to take a look at chicken hutch plans to help them thru the method of building their chicken coop. There still are a large number of people out there however who do not see the need to consult a guide for the building process. This is a very big mistake for a number of reasons mentioned below:

Improper Size: The first reason why you absolutely must use chicken hutch plans is to make sure you are building the right size for your chickens. Most chicken farmers have an idea in mind on the fixed number of chickens they want to keep in their chicken coop, therefore ensuring that you are following a particular formula for this number of chickens will be essential.

If you don’t have plans to follow and don’t know the formula for size issues, there is a really possible chance that you’ll build too tiny and the chickens will not remain healthy within the chicken coop.

Unacceptable Lighting: The second thing that chicken hutch plans are going to help out with is making sure you’re putting the windows in the correct location on the chicken coop and building them to the right size too.

Windows are going to play the twin role in the chicken coop of both letting in enough light and providing means for ventilation.

When the windows aren’t placed properly in the chicken coop, you are generally going to be made to run in electrical light which gets very pricey over time.

Wrong Location: Eventually, the third reason why you need to be making sure you’re using chicken hutch plans is to locate the number one place to build. There are a spread of factors that go into selecting the location for your chicken coop so you don’t want to overlook any of them.

Many folks build where they suspect it’ll look or work best apropos their general layout of their farm, but more frequently than not this is quite in alignment with what would essentially allow the coop to function properly – guaranteeing you get fresh eggs every morning when you wake up.

So take care you use chicken hutch plans for the building process. You may think you can go without and just use your own general information for the process but there are lots more specifics than many of us realize and it’s these specifics that often cost ends in the long term.

Chicken Shed doesn’t have to be a difficult process if you know what you’re doing. chicken pen

Chicken Coop Building Plans and Why You Need One For a Successful Chicken Coop

Sunday, May 16th, 2010

Today, most of the people are trying to look for ways to improve their bodies and more environmentally friendly all at the same time. One option, which is available to anyone having outdoor space, is to build a chicken coop. It’s quite easy to make it if you possess easy to follow chicken coop building plans. You can taylor these chicken coop building plans according to your needs, for the number of chickens you wish to own. After the setting up of your chicken coop, you can have the peace of mind that your eggs will always be organic, as will your chickens.

As you approach the grocery store door, you assume the food you are going to purchase is good for you. But you are probably not aware of the pesticides in your kitchen and in your refrigerator. Quickly people are realizing pesticides and hormone additives are out there and are determined to do something about it.

Building your own chicken coop is not the only solution. But it is an accessible and worthwhile option open for most people, who otherwise would not want to move to the countryside and change their entire lifestyle.

If you are so inclined you will save money by building a chicken coop yourself. The first thing you’ll need is a plan plus materials and tools. With these in hand you should be done in a mere few hours.

After that, you have the security of knowing that your chickens will be contained, and likely produce more eggs than you could probable use. These extra eggs can be given to friends, or sold, as there is a great demand for organic eggs. If you do decide of selling off your excessive eggs, then the coop will eventually even pay for itself.

One good thing about your own chicken coop os that you will have a steady supply of fertilizer for your garden. Chicken droppings are easily contained and gathered from the coop and if you find that you have more than you need you can sell the excess. The benefits to your garden and ultimately your own health will make having the coop worthwhile.

You can save a lot of money on chicken coops by building your own. If you use easy chicken coop building plans, you can enjoy your own quality eggs. A homemade chicken coop is just as good as a premade coop.

Learn more on how you can build cost-effective chicken coop by following easy step by step plan. Go To Free Chicken Coop Plans at http://www.chicken-coop-building-plans.com/

Essential Components Of Chicken Pen Plans – What To Think About When Developing A Do It Yourself House

Sunday, May 16th, 2010

There are countless points to consider before beginning and it’s important that you take time in the planning stage to decide on the kind of chicken pen which is appropriate, based on the amount of hens you’ll be keeping and your garden.

As a rule of thumb, each hen should be permitted 3-5 square feet of space in the nesting area and up to 15 sq. feet each in the run. Glaringly, the outdoor space needed is regarded flexible as it is partly conditional upon whether they are permitted to free range. In addition, you should make sure that the pen is at least 3 feet high as although hens don’t fly, they like to jump and flap.

You must make sure that any plans you make a decision to use concentrate on the incontrovertible fact that you want simple access for both clearing out your hens and for picking up the eggs. Have a close look at the plans-do you have the option of having a door on the external part of the run? Are the door openings large enough to see within and to simply clear out the waste?

Check the plans thru to satisfy yourself that signification has been given to protection from predators. When building a DIY coop, you should be using materials which are fox and raccoon resistant, for example heavy gauge mesh. In addition, the construction should be robust-do not consider plans which seem to skimp on screw points or at joints.

Ventilation is a very important consideration. Make sure that any plans you use include provision for ventilation holes as failure to do that may lead to a damaging build-up of gases from the hen’s waste products, which can at last harm or even kill the hens. You must ideally have ventilation holes close to the pop hole, which is routinely within the run, and at the rear of the pen. As the back is mostly exposed, these holes can be meshed for additional safety.

Another essential component to search for in chicken pen plans is the supply of a nesting box and you need to guarantee that there is acceptable space in the nesting area to accommodate this. You will only need one box for every 4-5 birds and very simple solutions are frequently the absolute best. Some people will utilize an appropriate sized card box as a nesting box and change it weekly rather than having to wash it out. Another option is to utilize a plastic cat litter tray which can be hygienically cleaned.

There is plenty of information out there that can help you on Build Chicken Coops Now. More info at How to Build a Chicken House.

The Importance of a Good Feeder.

Saturday, May 15th, 2010

Hummingbirds usually get all their energy they need from flower nectar and sugar. These birds have great metabolism and they are active throughout the day. The birds rely on the proteins and nutrients that they get from the nectar to aid their thirst to fly and navigate continuously. Humming birds are actually flycatchers and go after flies; they need the sugar as a fuel to go after their actual target. Hummingbirds are hungry most of the time, this is the main reason that people have found that the best way to invite these birds near the house is to have feeders and other devices that can dispense sugar and nectar to get these birds to eat and fly around them.

Hummingbird feeders have come a long way since their inception. Many research projects have given way to good styled efficient feeds that can invite the birds near these feeders in large numbers. The first hummingbird feeders were made of glass. Nowadays the feeders come in various different materials that give you choice to choose from. The feeders that are manufactured now are made of plastic, glass and ceramics. Since these feeders were only invented recently many birds do not come to know them as food source but most of the birds tend to learn soon and invite other birds too. The birds also learn to use these feeders effectively. In case you find the birds near your home to be more familiar with one type of feeder to the other, then it is because they are familiar with that. You can change and try many feeders before you settle upon one.

Location is an important thing while keeping a hummingbird feeder. The location determines whether you get many hummingbirds or not. The feeder will not lure many birds if you do not keep it in a natural place. The open places give the hummingbirds a lot of elevation to go around and then come back to eat the nectar and syrup. The feeder kept in a natural place will also give the birds the confidence.

There are many kinds of feeder units available. The most important thing that one has to look for while selecting a hummingbird feeder is the ease of assembly and disassembly. The feeders must have the feature to fit into any place easily. The basin feeders are the best bet for anyone trying to get a hummingbird feeder installed. Fresh syrup is very much necessary to make sure hummingbirds come to the feeder units. A good feeder must be easy to maintain and clean up.

There are different kinds of shapes that are being developed every year to make the hummingbird feeders more efficient. The latest ones make sure that there is enough room for the hummingbirds to rest near the feeder and also have traps to invite insects and flies that are then eaten by the hummingbirds. There are other feeders that come in different colors adding to the esthetic sense of having a hummingbird feeder. Humming bird feeders are used widely all over the United States these days.

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Want to Learn How to Have Fun with Hummingbirds at Home?

Friday, May 14th, 2010

Numerous things can be done to attract hummingbirds to your garden. Some easy adjustments can be made to make your garden hummingbird friendly, so that you are rewarded with the presence of feeding and nesting hummingbirds alongwith their young ones.

The diet of hummingbirds consists of insects, flower nectar or artificial sugar water. Thus, artificial sugar water solution can be kept in your garden to attract them. The hummingbirds do not have any sense of smell and they rely on sites to find their source of food. If you are making a first attempt to feed the birds, you can hang or plant some red flowers near the feeder. The hummingbirds will be attracted to these red flowers and will easily find the feeders.

The hummingbirds are attracted to the red color, so any feeder having red on it will attract the birds. If your feeder doesn’t have the red color, an artificial red flower can be tied to the feeder and stay away from using the red food coloring in the sugar water which is harmful to them. You must also remember that the hummingbirds are very territorial. Male hummers may show their dominance by hovering or chasing away the other hummers from their feeders. So you can add other hummingbird feeders to your garden and thereby attract more of these birds.

You should use the standard sugar water solution for feeding the hummingbirds. Make this solution at home which you can store in the refrigerator for a week. Avoid using honey or sugar substitutes for feeding the birds which can harm them, as honey promotes a fatal fungal disease and sores in the mouth of hummingbirds. Placing the feeder in a shady and cool spot will prevent the nectar’s spoilage.

Planting a hummingbird garden with their favorite plants will attract more and more of the birds. A few plants which you can consider planting are manzanita, butterfly busch, azalea, honeysuckle, bee balm, coral bells, columbine, cardinal flowers, petunia, shrimp plant, etc. You should note that none of these plants have to be red colored to attract the birds. Also, you can check with your local nursery if having any doubts, whether any of them will flourish in your garden area.

Never try using artificial sweeteners or honey for feeding the hummingbirds. The quick fermentation of honey in the feeder can cause sores in the birds’ mouth or promote a fatal fungal disease. You have to clean the feeders and change the nectar solution every 3-4 days, or more frequently if the weather is hot. Use a good bottle brush to clean the inside of your feeder if any mold formation occurs. Some sand and water can also be added inside the feeder and shaken to remove these molds. Instead of using soaps and detergents, you can use hot water with little white vinegar to wash and rinse the feeders, as the birds do not like any traces of soap.

Planting some of the favorite plants of hummingbirds will also attract them to your garden. Some of these plants include honeysuckles, petunias, trumpet vine, fuchsias, lilacs, bee balm, geraniums, manzanita, azaleas, butterfly busch, mimosa, columbine, salvia and Indian paintbrush. You can ask your local nursery or garden store for the other plants which grow well in your area. Do not use pesticides on these plants as they can sicken or kill the hummers, if ingested.

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Advantages of Having A Chicken Coop At Home

Thursday, May 13th, 2010

Finally you have decided to breed your own chickens from home. However, you have a problem starting it all up! Do not fret, for we have a solution for you. Here are the three vital reasons why you should get going and start building your own chicken coop at home:

1. Fresh produce guaranteed. One of the main reasons why you should opt building a chicken coop on your very own backyard is fresh produce! The assurance that you will get free fresh poultry produce every month guarantees great savings on the family purse. I bet you’d be happy slashing off your budget for fresh chicken meat and fresh eggs and instead stashing them away for other important purchases.

Imagine the benefits of guaranteed fresh eggs and fresh chicken meat monthly? Would that be not a reason enough to pursue building your chicken coop now? Your family would sure be happy to be having a constant supply of fresh eggs and chicken meat at the table.

2. Chickens will maintain your backyard’s lawn pest-free. Chickens as we all know feasts on anything organic from worms, beetles, bugs, and other harmful insects and pests. They are also fond of weeding your backyard lawn from grass and even dried leaves as they move around your backyard in search for something they could eat.

As far as maintaining your lawn is concerned, your chickens can do the job for you. You won’t bother spending a dime on pest control and weeding anymore. In exchange for their upkeep, your chickens will most certainly do their job for you.

3. Chickens need not be pet, talked, walked or followed around. Chickens as we know can live on their own, free from being followed, pet or walked around. You must ensure though that you have sturdy fences around with no crevices wherein they can go into and stray further afar from your property.

If you provide them ample food, water and well-built coop, chickens are pretty much good on their own. Having all these advantages in mind, is it not raising a chicken today and having a chicken coop at your backyard all worth it?

If you are looking for ready made chicken coop, visit Howie Kingsly’s guide on how to find chicken coops for sale and find a cheap chicken coop.

Designing And Creating A Poultry Pen

Wednesday, May 12th, 2010

These days more people are returning back to the land to help support their families. For most one of their fondest memories is the old hen house in the back yard. The concept of fresh eggs from your own hen house for breakfast is intriguing. However, before you can chill and enjoy these glorious eggs you need to know the best way to build a chicken house.

There are plenty of ways to build a chicken house and many various ideas are alike. Many factors must be considered before setting out to design your hen house. Maybe the most significant factor to consider is how many chickens you intend to have. This correlates right to the size of both the hen house and the chicken run you will need to have.

You also have to decide what your main goal in raising chickens is, are you planning on raising your chickens primarily for their eggs or are you raising them as a source of meat for the table? You want to take under consideration that they’ll need somewhere that they can roost and lay their eggs when you build a chicken coop. Your hen house plans must take into account that laying hens need approximately 1.5 square feet each of space within the hen house.

When it is time to plan your outside run remember again that each type of chicken has different space wishes a laying hen wishes about 8 square feet, while a big chicken needs closer to ten feet of space. This much space is needed for them to get sufficient room to exercise and to reduce the risk of your hens and chickens fighting one another causing injury or possibly death, all this must be taken into consideration when you build a chicken pen.

When you build a chicken coop you must design it in such a fashion that your chickens can seek shelter from the elements and provide them with places they can shelter from both the sun and the rain so as to keep them healthy year round and you well supplied with fresh eggs.

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DIY Hen House Guide

Monday, May 10th, 2010

There are a variety of reasons for why people collect chickens. In this day and age, when the economy is so sour, it may be that they can be a good way to provide a little extra food without spending much money after up front costs of chicken procurement and housing is taking care of. That’s why knowing how to make a hen house quickly can be important.

For a fact, there’s more to a chicken enclosure than just the house. Chickens will generally need an enclosed fence of some sort in order to keep them safe from predators, many of whom hunt at night while chickens are at their most vulnerable and roosting within their houses.

It’s probably a better idea, then, to just go out and find a big doghouse that can be modified relatively easily rather than spending a great deal of money building one completely from scratch. If it’s done right, the new hen house can provide not only protection but also the proper amounts of ventilation all while keeping the chickens protected from the elements and any predators.

Just take most any large size, barn-style doghouse (which can be found on the Internet, at local chain franchise-type pet stores etc.) and start modifying it. This is done by first of all lifting off the doghouse roof and attaching a 1″ x 2″ beam that runs across the top edge of the bottom part of the doghouse. Add in a second beam of the same size to the top edge of the back part of the doghouse.

These beams will form the basis of a roost for the chickens, which are supplemented by a kind of plywood wall that can be made and which is constructed by taking a pencil, jigsaw and tape measure to cut the plywood into a wall that matches the height and width of the modified doghouse. After that, use the jigsaw to cut out a hole through which the chickens can enter. Affix this wall to the beam at the back of the doghouse so that a nest area is created.

After all of that’s been done, take some more plywood and trace the doghouse opening onto it. Cut out a hole using the tracing, which is going to form the door of the hen house. It’s attached to the house through means of a hinge at the bottom of the door and its opening. In this way, it can also be opened and closed in the morning and evening. Just use some sort of pull or string mechanism to close it shut once the chickens have entered the house for the evening.

Make a hen house that will keep your chickens safe and secure today! A chicken house project is an easy way to protect your chickens from predators. Go to http://www.chickencoopinstructions.org/