Guide to Raising Poultry

Brooding chicks: Your recent hatchlings will require some basic supplies, patience, and protection before they’re ready to be introduced to any existing chickens and their new coop at 8-12 weeks. At a minimum, you will need a brooding box, litter/bedding, heat lamps and plates, plastic or metal feeders, starter feed, a lid or other secure protection for your brooding box, a crate or run for outside time and sanitizers/cleaners.

Brooding ducks: The main difference in brooding waterfowl like ducks and geese is providing enough water. In fact, they need water to properly swallow their food and deep enough water to at least dip their heads and clean their bills every day (don’t give baby ducks more than ¼ inch of water to help prevent drowning). Ducklings will also tend to grow much faster than chickens and can imprint or develop a strong, friendly bonds with their caregivers.

Brooding game birds: Game birds such as turkeys, guineas, pheasants and quails, will need more space during brooding to help prevent pecking and pulling, as game birds can be cannibalistic. Guineas, pheasants and quails should also be started with feed on flats for easier access and scratching. Many of these fowl are flyers, so they may need to be transferred to a coop sooner. Some areas don't consider game birds livestock, so even if backyard chickens aren’t allowed in your town game birds may be ok with a permit or license. 

Chicken coops: Chickens need a secure coop with elevated roosts for sleeping at night and nesting boxes for laying eggs out of the elements and away from predators. Consider your budget, the space/location and flock size and review the variety of coop designs available to help inspire you. All coops need good ventilation, space for each chicken and their needs, security from predators and an outdoor area or run. For tips to keep your coop clean, read How to Clean a Chicken Coop.

Duck houses and shelters: Ducks don’t require a fancy set-up, just a safe, well-ventilated space to sleep. They don’t need roosts or nesting boxes like chickens do, and are perfectly happy to bed down in hay and lay their eggs in the corner of the shed, house, or coop. They also don’t need overnight food, water, or a heat source in their houses. Because of their thick layers of feathers and down, ducks enjoy being outdoors year-round, but will need an area in their pen that blocks wind and flying predators where they can shelter. This could be made with nets, tarps, plywood, or landscaping. 

Game bird coops and pens: Turkeys will need plenty of low places to perch, soft bedding, floors with good traction, and should always be housed and raised separately from chickens to prevent the spread of disease. Pens for smaller game birds need to be fully enclosed to keep them from escaping and keep wild birds out. Game birds tend to startle easily, so keeping their coops and pens away from loud areas and including a barrier around the pen to distance other livestock and predators is recommended. Including landscaping or vegetation in a pen is a good way to give game birds places to roost and forage.