Raising Chickens

Keeping of chickens in Ann Arbor

»Posted by on May 15, 2015 in Raising Chickens | 0 comments

In June of 2008, Ann Arbor City Council passed an Ordinance allowing city residents to have up to 4 hens (no roosters) in a coop, no closer than 40′ from the nearest neighbors living quarters. Since then there have been some modifications to allow residents to apply for a 2-bird permit or a 6-bird permit (which are not for an indefinite amount of time and so need to be re-applied for regularly). If you are a resident of Ann Arbor check for the latest update to the ordinance here – if you are not a resident you can get an idea of the sorts of things you might need to agree to in a chicken keeping ordinance (and perhaps use it as a model if you are trying to get an ordinance passed in your own area) : 9:42. – Keeping of chickens. (1) Any person who...

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Broody Hen To Doting Mother

»Posted by on Jul 23, 2011 in Raising Chickens | 0 comments

Here are some photographs of our new baby chicks 🙂 One thing I find amazing is how broody hens know what to do. Our first broody had never seen any other eggs hatch or other hens go through the brooding process. Yet one day she got all flirty with our rooster and the next she was camping out in the nestbox all day (and night). Instantly changed into a fluffed up bundle of hormones, dashing about trying to eat and drink and dustbathe etc. for a few minutes a couple of times each day. Other than being a chick herself at one point (hatched in an incubator and brooder raised) how did she know what to do? What was she thinking when the eggs started to hatch? Isn’t nature amazing? 🙂

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Getting Started with Baby Chicks

»Posted by on Jul 23, 2011 in Raising Chickens | 0 comments

Getting Started with Baby Chicks

If you’re like most chicken fans, your heart probably melts a bit when you see chicks. Chicks require both a good deal of planning and a lot of work, so make sure you are prepared to take care of your infant flock with a few helpful tips. 1. Plan on Staying Home Baby chicks will require constant attention and monitoring during their first four to six weeks of life. Chicks must be checked on at least five times per day during these weeks, so make sure that you will be home frequently enough during this time. 2. Create a Healthy Environment To best control and protect their living environment, baby chicks should be kept indoors, in a garage, or basement. Make sure the space is draft-free and capable of keeping your chicks warm with the help of a brooder. They...

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New Chicks Free Ranging With Their Mom

»Posted by on Jul 23, 2011 in Raising Chickens | 0 comments

Here are some photos of our new chicks with their mother on our lawn! When we act as the mother hen and incubate and hatch chicks we wonder when it is ok to let them outside to peck at grass and bugs and explore their new surroundings. We worry about whether they will get wet on dewy grass and catch a chill or if we have supplied enough grit so that they can process the new foods they are finding. You can see from the photo that these chicks are a matter of days old. An actual mother hen just gets on with it (and is looking after her brood very well). Raising chickens is lots of fun! Free range baby chicks roaming around our garden with their mom!

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We are their slaves – But it’s worth it

»Posted by on Jul 21, 2011 in Raising Chickens | 0 comments

Raising chickens can be lots of fun. They do require some care but it is relatively minimal. They need less attention than a dog for instance, but can be just as much ‘pets’ as one if you let them. The more time you spend with them you will find all their little characters and mannerisms, like the one who will almost elbow everyone out of the way to get to the mealworms and other treats (perhaps I should say ‘wing’ rather than elbow?). The other hen who will mercilessly kick out every bit of straw from the nestbox after watching you carefully lay it in there. You may have one who likes to sit on your lap, and another who will dive into a hedge if you even look like you might try to pick her up. The more time you spend with them the more...

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Chicks

»Posted by on Jul 20, 2011 in Raising Chickens | 0 comments

Our six new chicks

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