Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Commercial chicken bedding can be purchased from a farm and feed supply store. Some of
the recycled wood bedding works well because it has less moisture content than fresh wood
shavings. Drier wood means less chance for mold and mites therefore keeping your chicken
healthy and happy. If you prefer not to purchase commercial bedding, you always can use
straw or hay. The main objective is to find filler that works for both you and your flock.
Always keep the bedding clean and dry, and use 2 to 4 inches of bedding. After all of your
hard work in selecting a breed and mating your birds, you do not want to have your fertilized
eggs ruined because they sat in a dirty bed. Cleaning the box once a week or more frequently
as needed should be sufficient.
Hatching Eggs
Many people who raise chickens prefer to start with eggs rather than chicks or adult birds.
Hatching eggs is not difficult, but you do need to pay careful attention to details. Otherwise,
your first attempts at hatching eggs may not be successful. Order your eggs from a good
hatchery, or buy them from a good local source. Make sure your incubator is in good condi-
tion and works properly. Temperature and humidity are critical. And follow all of the direc-
tions for incubating the eggs carefully.
Using incubators
If you choose to hatch your eggs artificially, you will need an incubator. You can find these at
feed and farm supply stores. Find a location inside your home to keep the incubator, and set it
up on a level surface. Follow the directions provided with the equipment, and keep the incub-
ator away from sunlight, as that can affect the inside temperature. Following these steps
provides a safe environment secure against predators and the elements.
In general, there are two types of incubators: forced air and still air. Forced air helps spread
heat equally throughout the incubator, and a still-air incubator does not promote the move-
ment of heat. The temperature of a forced-air incubator should be at 100 degrees F, while a
still-air incubator should be slightly higher at about 102 degrees F.
If you decide to make an incubator yourself, be sure you have a well-designed plan, the right
equipment, and the skill level necessary. The website My Pet Chicken
(
www.mypetchicken.com
) offers tips and directions on how to make incubators, and it offers
