Have you ever caught an animal in the wild? Save it from utter destruction only to find out that it's a baby? Many people, especially animal lovers, get drawn in by the inherent cuteness of an animal and decide that it would be a good idea to take it home, care for it, and turn it into a pet. No. It is often forgotten that these animals are born wild. Wild animals have certain predispositions for specific behaviors, special needs that may not be accessible through conventional means, and an inherent fear of human beings. Over time, these attributes can become quite dangerous.
Bringing wild animals into the home is against the law in many different states. Various different species are protected by both state and federal law. Statutes have been passed primarily to protect the animals from inadequate care and unnecessary death. There are several things that cause these deaths, and they are also very compelling reasons why wild animals do not make good pets. Here are just a few:
1. Ignorance of Proper Care
Believe it or not, many wild animals held in captivity die, due to the fact that their caregivers do not know how to give proper car. Many of the wild animals held in captivity have special needs that are not the same as domesticated animals. Eventually, these animals develop a deficiency in their diet, causing them to become ill.
2. Lack of Proper Socialization
Wild animals require an ability to associate with their own kind. Through this process the animal is able to develop the skill sets necessary to survive on his or her own out in the wild. If the animal has not learned these skills, it must either stay in captivity or die. This is especially unfortunate for animal that are much larger than usual or more aggressive that what humans are used to.
3. Lack of Fear of Human Beings
Wild animals are generally scared of human beings, especially if they have never encountered them before. This fear generally keeps them safe from hostile humans, and other unintentional harms.
No matter how cute the animal might be, keeping a wild animal is not a good idea, not only for your health, but also for the health of the animal. The best thing to do when you encounter a wild animal is the report the sighting to the proper authorities, who have the experience and knowledge to deal with the situation appropriately.
For more information, visit http://www.miamiveterinarianclinics.com
Joseph Devine
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joseph_Devine
Monday, August 18, 2008
How to Care for Your Ferret
Four weeks ago, I told my lovely ferret 'Oh little Bandit, don't worry, we would solve it, cheer up baby'. Well, let me tell you the story. I bought a new tiny ferret, as I love having pets at home. But this little Bandit caused a huge mess indeed. He was pooping everywhere but his litter box, lots of bites and nips, besides getting some of our little stuff lost! Really so dynamic! This is unpleasant for anyone ?I mean here my sister Jessie who came recently to live with me? especially for those people, who used to live in a tidy place, and I'm not one of them, I always have a pet living surrounding me from age of five till now. For bad luck, Jessie was so bothered from Bandit misbehavior, he stole her car's keys, and the worst that she found him urinated inside her new shoes, which made her mad, as she was ready to get out with her friends. "I can't bear more Sara! You have to make your decision, either me or your awful Bandit!" Jessie told me. I answered her "Just 3 weeks, and you will be surprised of him", she agreed and my challenge started at once.
As a pet lover, I have a solid knowledge on caring for them, but I realized also that ferrets differ than others. First thing I should learn and apply is how to turn my ferret into the most well behaved one, and how to care for him. The first tip I learned is that if I wish to train my ferret to do something, I must do this with patience, care, consistency, and surely a lot of love.
Firstly, I wanted him to learn his new name 'Bandit'. I started to call him frequently, and at anytime I went near to him, then I rewarded him each time he responded to me. I discovered that ferrets usually response to the firm 'No', so, while playing with Bandit, if he nipped me hardly, I stop playing immediately, and say firmly "No Bandit, stop biting me like that". Eventually, he started to respond, especially when I took other steps like walking away from him, and putting him back in his cage. I really wondered a lot when my smart Bandit got the idea of punishment, but take care, don't shake or spank a ferret, that's may lead to death or internal injury.
Now, it's the turn of training him to stop pooping everywhere, for that purpose, I bought him a litter box, and placed it into his cage, at a corner of my room. Then I started the difficult part, which is 'watching', to catch him urinating or defecating. Every time I saw him doing so, I pick him up quickly, and put him in the litter box. This is the most important thing your ferret should be trained to do, so be patient and don't give up. Three weeks later, Jessie asked me to buy another cute ferret for her! She started also caring for Bandit with me, and she helped me cleaning him, preparing his meals, washing food and water plates, washing his cage, going with me to the vet for periodical checks, and buying him tons of toys, and accessories. I can tell you that it was a very interesting and nice experience, with no doubt, I feel now so proud of my beloved Bandit, in addition to tons of joyful times.
Ellen Tayana is a proud new ferret owner and excited to share all the ferret facts she knows.If you wish to share with us your remarkable times with your ferret, or even thinking to have one but don't know enough about them, then I advise you to go to this great blog ferret-info, you'll not never regret it!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ellen_Tayana
As a pet lover, I have a solid knowledge on caring for them, but I realized also that ferrets differ than others. First thing I should learn and apply is how to turn my ferret into the most well behaved one, and how to care for him. The first tip I learned is that if I wish to train my ferret to do something, I must do this with patience, care, consistency, and surely a lot of love.
Firstly, I wanted him to learn his new name 'Bandit'. I started to call him frequently, and at anytime I went near to him, then I rewarded him each time he responded to me. I discovered that ferrets usually response to the firm 'No', so, while playing with Bandit, if he nipped me hardly, I stop playing immediately, and say firmly "No Bandit, stop biting me like that". Eventually, he started to respond, especially when I took other steps like walking away from him, and putting him back in his cage. I really wondered a lot when my smart Bandit got the idea of punishment, but take care, don't shake or spank a ferret, that's may lead to death or internal injury.
Now, it's the turn of training him to stop pooping everywhere, for that purpose, I bought him a litter box, and placed it into his cage, at a corner of my room. Then I started the difficult part, which is 'watching', to catch him urinating or defecating. Every time I saw him doing so, I pick him up quickly, and put him in the litter box. This is the most important thing your ferret should be trained to do, so be patient and don't give up. Three weeks later, Jessie asked me to buy another cute ferret for her! She started also caring for Bandit with me, and she helped me cleaning him, preparing his meals, washing food and water plates, washing his cage, going with me to the vet for periodical checks, and buying him tons of toys, and accessories. I can tell you that it was a very interesting and nice experience, with no doubt, I feel now so proud of my beloved Bandit, in addition to tons of joyful times.
Ellen Tayana is a proud new ferret owner and excited to share all the ferret facts she knows.If you wish to share with us your remarkable times with your ferret, or even thinking to have one but don't know enough about them, then I advise you to go to this great blog ferret-info, you'll not never regret it!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ellen_Tayana
Basic Guide to Hermit Crabs
Are you thinking about purchasing your first pet hermit crab? If so, there are several things you need to know about hermit crabs before you decide to bring them home to be your pets. While you will need to do a great deal of research in order to provide your hermit crab with the best living environment possible, here are some of the basics involved with hermit crab care.
Obtaining the Right Temperature
Before you even bring your hermit crabs home, you need to set up a home that will allow your new pet to stay happy, healthy and comfortable. Namely, your hermit crab will need a home that never falls below 72 degrees Fahrenheit. If your hermit crab is consistently exposed to lower temperatures, it could die. Similarly, if the temperatures are too high, it can become overheated and die a slow and painful death. Recognizing an overheated hermit crab is relatively simple, as it will start to emit a musty smell and may actually start to discharge a brown liquid.
Creating the Proper Humidity Levels
Hermit crabs also require a certain level of humidity in their homes. Ideally, your hermit crab's home should be maintain at least 70% humidity. The goal is to create a tropical feel within your hermit crab's habitat. Therefore, the moister the better. You can help keep the habitat moist by squirting the inside of the tank with water on a frequent basis.
Making it Cozy
Your hermit crab habitat is also going to require the right substrate, which is the substance you use to line the bottom of the terrarium. You will need to keep a fairly thick level of substrate in your tank so your hermit crabs can bury themselves deep inside. At the same time, you will need to use an under-tank heater in order to maintain the proper temperature. Therefore, you don't want to make the substrate so thick that the heater isn't able to properly warm up the habitat.
Decorating the Tank
When it comes to hermit crabs, you can have quite a bit of fun with decorating the tank. Hermit crabs love to play, to hide, and to climb. Therefore, they will enjoy pretty much anything you put in the tank. Dried wood, driftwood, sand-blasted grapevines, and plastic plants are all good options. Hermit crabs also enjoy climbing up plastic reptile ladders and some have even been known to roll around in plastic hamster balls! Of course, you will also want to put plenty of shells and other items that your hermit crab can wear as a shell. After all, half the fun of owning a hermit crab is watching what he will wear next!
Giving it a Friend
When you decide to keep a hermit crab as a pet, you are actually deciding to purchase at least two of them. Despite the name "hermit," these crabs like to be around other hermit crabs. In fact, in the wild, they often stick together in packs of 100. In addition, some research has indicated that a hermit crab without a friend is more likely to become sick and even to die. Therefore, it is best to include at least two in your tank.
CS Swarens is the president of Find a Pet Online. 800 998-7065
For additional information on dogs, cats, birds, horses, and exotic pets visit the internet's pet resource including pet classifieds at http://www.findapetonline.com
Research over 430 pet breed profiles http://www.findapetonline.com/breeds.html
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=CS_Swarens
Obtaining the Right Temperature
Before you even bring your hermit crabs home, you need to set up a home that will allow your new pet to stay happy, healthy and comfortable. Namely, your hermit crab will need a home that never falls below 72 degrees Fahrenheit. If your hermit crab is consistently exposed to lower temperatures, it could die. Similarly, if the temperatures are too high, it can become overheated and die a slow and painful death. Recognizing an overheated hermit crab is relatively simple, as it will start to emit a musty smell and may actually start to discharge a brown liquid.
Creating the Proper Humidity Levels
Hermit crabs also require a certain level of humidity in their homes. Ideally, your hermit crab's home should be maintain at least 70% humidity. The goal is to create a tropical feel within your hermit crab's habitat. Therefore, the moister the better. You can help keep the habitat moist by squirting the inside of the tank with water on a frequent basis.
Making it Cozy
Your hermit crab habitat is also going to require the right substrate, which is the substance you use to line the bottom of the terrarium. You will need to keep a fairly thick level of substrate in your tank so your hermit crabs can bury themselves deep inside. At the same time, you will need to use an under-tank heater in order to maintain the proper temperature. Therefore, you don't want to make the substrate so thick that the heater isn't able to properly warm up the habitat.
Decorating the Tank
When it comes to hermit crabs, you can have quite a bit of fun with decorating the tank. Hermit crabs love to play, to hide, and to climb. Therefore, they will enjoy pretty much anything you put in the tank. Dried wood, driftwood, sand-blasted grapevines, and plastic plants are all good options. Hermit crabs also enjoy climbing up plastic reptile ladders and some have even been known to roll around in plastic hamster balls! Of course, you will also want to put plenty of shells and other items that your hermit crab can wear as a shell. After all, half the fun of owning a hermit crab is watching what he will wear next!
Giving it a Friend
When you decide to keep a hermit crab as a pet, you are actually deciding to purchase at least two of them. Despite the name "hermit," these crabs like to be around other hermit crabs. In fact, in the wild, they often stick together in packs of 100. In addition, some research has indicated that a hermit crab without a friend is more likely to become sick and even to die. Therefore, it is best to include at least two in your tank.
CS Swarens is the president of Find a Pet Online. 800 998-7065
For additional information on dogs, cats, birds, horses, and exotic pets visit the internet's pet resource including pet classifieds at http://www.findapetonline.com
Research over 430 pet breed profiles http://www.findapetonline.com/breeds.html
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=CS_Swarens
Taking Care of your Tarantula
If you are considering getting an exotic pet such as a tarantula, there are a few important details that you need to know on how to take care of a pet such as this. There are many things that you might need to know about different types of spiders before you choose to have one as a family pet.
Tarantulas are part of the arachnid family and, in recent years, have become a popular pet for families in the US and North America to have in their homes. There are many benefits to owning a pet like this, but you must be aware of the proper care methods for an exotic spider such as this. There are many different breeds of tarantulas that have been found both in North and South America over the years. Tarantulas can be held and handled, but it is normally not recommended because of the danger you could put the spider in. You are more likely to hurt the tarantula than it is to hurt you.
One of the benefits to having a spider such as this is that it is a quiet and tranquil pet. You won't have to worry about the spider making a lot of noise at night. Although there are many different breeds, you must keep in mind that not all of the breeds are going to be friendly with humans or handleable. You need to speak with a tarantula breeder to explain your situation and find the specific breed of tarantula that will go well with your situation.
Tarantulas are a type of pet that requires a specific kind of diet. Once you have decided which breed of tarantula is going to be best for your situation, you can then look into what type of diet that breed of spider needs. For smaller breeds of tarantulas, crickets, moths, and cockroaches are typical kinds of prey to feed your pet spider. Some breeds tend to be more aggressive and will even eat small rodents such as mice and prey up to half their size. There is not a specified amount that you should feed your spider daily. If you want your spider to grow larger faster, then you can choose to feed it larger meals in the beginning. If you don't want your spider to grow larger quickly, you can choose to feed the spider less per day than you would otherwise.
The tarantula will also require small amounts of water each day in their cage. Typically, a small pill bottle cap would be fine for your spider to get water from. You should speak with a trained veterinarian, who was worked with spiders, to make sure that you are giving the spider all the proper care.
For more information, contact the Dallas Veterinarian Clinics at http://www.dallasveterinarianclinics.comJoseph Devine
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joseph_Devine
Tarantulas are part of the arachnid family and, in recent years, have become a popular pet for families in the US and North America to have in their homes. There are many benefits to owning a pet like this, but you must be aware of the proper care methods for an exotic spider such as this. There are many different breeds of tarantulas that have been found both in North and South America over the years. Tarantulas can be held and handled, but it is normally not recommended because of the danger you could put the spider in. You are more likely to hurt the tarantula than it is to hurt you.
One of the benefits to having a spider such as this is that it is a quiet and tranquil pet. You won't have to worry about the spider making a lot of noise at night. Although there are many different breeds, you must keep in mind that not all of the breeds are going to be friendly with humans or handleable. You need to speak with a tarantula breeder to explain your situation and find the specific breed of tarantula that will go well with your situation.
Tarantulas are a type of pet that requires a specific kind of diet. Once you have decided which breed of tarantula is going to be best for your situation, you can then look into what type of diet that breed of spider needs. For smaller breeds of tarantulas, crickets, moths, and cockroaches are typical kinds of prey to feed your pet spider. Some breeds tend to be more aggressive and will even eat small rodents such as mice and prey up to half their size. There is not a specified amount that you should feed your spider daily. If you want your spider to grow larger faster, then you can choose to feed it larger meals in the beginning. If you don't want your spider to grow larger quickly, you can choose to feed the spider less per day than you would otherwise.
The tarantula will also require small amounts of water each day in their cage. Typically, a small pill bottle cap would be fine for your spider to get water from. You should speak with a trained veterinarian, who was worked with spiders, to make sure that you are giving the spider all the proper care.
For more information, contact the Dallas Veterinarian Clinics at http://www.dallasveterinarianclinics.comJoseph Devine
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joseph_Devine
How to take care of your Snake while it's Shedding
If you are the proud owner of a snake there are a few factors that you need to take into consideration when you are taking care of your snake as your family pet. There are a few things that snakes have that no other animal goes through. Shedding can be a hard process to go through for a snake if it isn't living in just the right living conditions.
Shedding is the process where the snake losses the skin that it currently has and gets a new skin on its body. The first thing that you should understand is that the shedding of the skin doesn't happen all at once. Usually when a snake is beginning to shed its skin, it will begin to come off in pieces depending on where it happens to peel away. If your snake is healthy and happy, it should have no problems going through the shedding process. You should also understand that this process happens anywhere between 3 and 8 times each year. The environment, the feeding level, and the age of your snake are all factors that will determine how many times your snake will shed its skin each year. If your snake is sick or suffering from malnutrition the shedding process can cause severe stress on the snake If your snake isn't healthy, it can cause the snake to not completely shed its skin which in turn can cause the snake to become sicker depending on the situation and circumstances.
The next portion that you should understand is the actual process that the snake will go through. The first step in the process is the shedding itself. The pieces of the snake's skin will usually come off in many different pieces depending on how they peel off the snake's body. The next portion of the shedding process is inactivity time. This is a time where the snake usually slows down all activity almost to a halt. This time where the snake is inactive usually lasts anywhere between one and two weeks depending on the snake and environment. Because the snake is trying to get rid of all skin including over the eyes, its eyes will usually turn to a milky white and blue color. During this time, its eyes are usually foggy which means the snake can't see very well. Since the snake can't see during this time, it tends to be more aggressive to any movement that happens around it.
For more information, contact the Atlanta Vet Clinics at http://www.atlantaveterinarianclinics.com Joseph Devine
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joseph_Devine
Shedding is the process where the snake losses the skin that it currently has and gets a new skin on its body. The first thing that you should understand is that the shedding of the skin doesn't happen all at once. Usually when a snake is beginning to shed its skin, it will begin to come off in pieces depending on where it happens to peel away. If your snake is healthy and happy, it should have no problems going through the shedding process. You should also understand that this process happens anywhere between 3 and 8 times each year. The environment, the feeding level, and the age of your snake are all factors that will determine how many times your snake will shed its skin each year. If your snake is sick or suffering from malnutrition the shedding process can cause severe stress on the snake If your snake isn't healthy, it can cause the snake to not completely shed its skin which in turn can cause the snake to become sicker depending on the situation and circumstances.
The next portion that you should understand is the actual process that the snake will go through. The first step in the process is the shedding itself. The pieces of the snake's skin will usually come off in many different pieces depending on how they peel off the snake's body. The next portion of the shedding process is inactivity time. This is a time where the snake usually slows down all activity almost to a halt. This time where the snake is inactive usually lasts anywhere between one and two weeks depending on the snake and environment. Because the snake is trying to get rid of all skin including over the eyes, its eyes will usually turn to a milky white and blue color. During this time, its eyes are usually foggy which means the snake can't see very well. Since the snake can't see during this time, it tends to be more aggressive to any movement that happens around it.
For more information, contact the Atlanta Vet Clinics at http://www.atlantaveterinarianclinics.com Joseph Devine
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joseph_Devine
Family Friendly Lizards
If you are considering getting a pet for your family, there are numerous choices that you could make. Many people choose to get an exotic pet because of their nature and interaction. If you are looking for an exotic pet for your family, getting a type of lizard could be the perfect pet your family.
Lizards can be good pets for those who are looking for a pet with minimal upkeep. There are a few different breeds of exotic lizards that are great as pets in some type of caged environment. Bearded Dragon is one of the good breeds for pets. This type of lizard is one of the friendliest lizards that you could have because it enjoys being held by people. Bearded Dragons are usually quite small in the beginning, but they can grow to be almost 2 feet long by their adult stage. When you are buying a cage for your lizard, you should consider buying a larger one for when they become an adult. Most people choose to buy a glass tank, so you can see your lizard in his natural area. Bearded Dragons are fairly easy to feed because they will eat fruit, leaves, seeds, small mice, and lizards. You should be careful to feed the bearded dragon already killed prey because there is always a chance that the lizard could be hurt by the prey instead of the other way around.
Chameleons are also a popular choice for an exotic pet for your family. Chameleons are usually chosen because of their multi-coloring and ability to change colors to camouflage themselves. This type of lizard usually lives in a leafy area, so it's necessary to provide that same type of environment in the cage you buy for the lizard. Having lots of greenery in their tank allows the chameleon to feel more comfortable in its environment. Chameleons can be one of the easiest lizards to feed because of the simplicity of their diet. Chameleons are carnivores, so an everyday diet of crickets is healthy for them. One of the harder factors to handle with these lizards is that they won't drink from a water dish. Chameleons will only drink water off of leaves. You need to either mist their tank a few times daily, or get a dripping water canister at your local pet shop that will drip water on a few leaves.
These are just two of numerous family friendly lizards that you could possibly have as pets. You should make sure to take your lizard for check ups at your local Phoenix vet clinic.
For more information, contact the Phoenix Vet Clinics at http://www.phoenixveterinarianclinics.com
Joseph Devine
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joseph_Devine
Lizards can be good pets for those who are looking for a pet with minimal upkeep. There are a few different breeds of exotic lizards that are great as pets in some type of caged environment. Bearded Dragon is one of the good breeds for pets. This type of lizard is one of the friendliest lizards that you could have because it enjoys being held by people. Bearded Dragons are usually quite small in the beginning, but they can grow to be almost 2 feet long by their adult stage. When you are buying a cage for your lizard, you should consider buying a larger one for when they become an adult. Most people choose to buy a glass tank, so you can see your lizard in his natural area. Bearded Dragons are fairly easy to feed because they will eat fruit, leaves, seeds, small mice, and lizards. You should be careful to feed the bearded dragon already killed prey because there is always a chance that the lizard could be hurt by the prey instead of the other way around.
Chameleons are also a popular choice for an exotic pet for your family. Chameleons are usually chosen because of their multi-coloring and ability to change colors to camouflage themselves. This type of lizard usually lives in a leafy area, so it's necessary to provide that same type of environment in the cage you buy for the lizard. Having lots of greenery in their tank allows the chameleon to feel more comfortable in its environment. Chameleons can be one of the easiest lizards to feed because of the simplicity of their diet. Chameleons are carnivores, so an everyday diet of crickets is healthy for them. One of the harder factors to handle with these lizards is that they won't drink from a water dish. Chameleons will only drink water off of leaves. You need to either mist their tank a few times daily, or get a dripping water canister at your local pet shop that will drip water on a few leaves.
These are just two of numerous family friendly lizards that you could possibly have as pets. You should make sure to take your lizard for check ups at your local Phoenix vet clinic.
For more information, contact the Phoenix Vet Clinics at http://www.phoenixveterinarianclinics.com
Joseph Devine
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joseph_Devine
Raising Chickens
There are many benefits to raising chickens; they can make great pets, they provide natural bug control, they give you several eggs each week (and potentially meat), and they provide endless hours of therapy and enjoyment in watching them cluck and peck around.
For many people, raising chickens is their first step to becoming more self sufficient. Chickens need relatively little care, but there are a few things you may want to consider before placing your order:
Do you have the space: A coop needs to allow at least two square feet per chicken and they will also need a secure run allowing at least three square feet per chicken (the bigger the better - particularly if they won't have a chance to free range safely). Their coop doesn't have to be anything palatial, but some care will need to be taken to ensure that it is dry, free of drafts and safe from predators.
Do you have the time: Chickens need relatively little care, but they do need to be locked into their coop safely at night, and let out again in the morning. They also need fresh water and feed every day, and the coop should be cleaned out regularly.
Cost: In terms of the monetary cost of feed and bedding, hens usually more than pay for themselves with their eggs (not to mention the enjoyment they bring as pets). The cost of buying or building a coop and run however, may take a few years for them to 'earn'.
How many: How many chickens really depends on how many you think you would like, have the space for, and can look after. Chickens have a group mentality so having at least two or three is better than having just one. With most egg laying breeds you can expect to get four to six eggs per week from each hen (this number will probably decrease as they get older). You don't need to have a rooster to get eggs but if you want one then the normal ratio is one rooster to every ten hens.
Neighbors: Some local areas have rules on keeping chickens so you should always check for any restrictions before building / buying your coop. Even if you are allowed to get chickens, it may be a good idea to have a word with the neighbours first if they are very close by - particularly if you are thinking of getting a rooster.
Free Ranging: Chickens enjoy being able to free range, but if they are not in a secure area, and / or you are unable to keep an eye on them, it is not always safe for them to do so (predators, including your local neighbourhood dogs, can make their presence felt very quickly). If you are able to free-range safely then nothing in your garden is safe - they will eat / dig up / dustbathe in everything! If they can't free range safely then they will need a secure pen - fresh air and exercise is as important to a chickens well-being as it is to our own.
So there you have it! A few first steps towards raising chickens in your backyard. I hope you enjoyed this introduction to raising chickens.
You can find a lot more information and tips on how to raise chickens at my blog http://successwithpoultry.blogspot.com
© 2008 Gina Read
Gina is the author / editor of a free monthly keeping chickens ezine full of raising chickens tips, articles and subscriber coops and photos. http://www.keepingchickensnewsletter.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gina_Read
For many people, raising chickens is their first step to becoming more self sufficient. Chickens need relatively little care, but there are a few things you may want to consider before placing your order:
Do you have the space: A coop needs to allow at least two square feet per chicken and they will also need a secure run allowing at least three square feet per chicken (the bigger the better - particularly if they won't have a chance to free range safely). Their coop doesn't have to be anything palatial, but some care will need to be taken to ensure that it is dry, free of drafts and safe from predators.
Do you have the time: Chickens need relatively little care, but they do need to be locked into their coop safely at night, and let out again in the morning. They also need fresh water and feed every day, and the coop should be cleaned out regularly.
Cost: In terms of the monetary cost of feed and bedding, hens usually more than pay for themselves with their eggs (not to mention the enjoyment they bring as pets). The cost of buying or building a coop and run however, may take a few years for them to 'earn'.
How many: How many chickens really depends on how many you think you would like, have the space for, and can look after. Chickens have a group mentality so having at least two or three is better than having just one. With most egg laying breeds you can expect to get four to six eggs per week from each hen (this number will probably decrease as they get older). You don't need to have a rooster to get eggs but if you want one then the normal ratio is one rooster to every ten hens.
Neighbors: Some local areas have rules on keeping chickens so you should always check for any restrictions before building / buying your coop. Even if you are allowed to get chickens, it may be a good idea to have a word with the neighbours first if they are very close by - particularly if you are thinking of getting a rooster.
Free Ranging: Chickens enjoy being able to free range, but if they are not in a secure area, and / or you are unable to keep an eye on them, it is not always safe for them to do so (predators, including your local neighbourhood dogs, can make their presence felt very quickly). If you are able to free-range safely then nothing in your garden is safe - they will eat / dig up / dustbathe in everything! If they can't free range safely then they will need a secure pen - fresh air and exercise is as important to a chickens well-being as it is to our own.
So there you have it! A few first steps towards raising chickens in your backyard. I hope you enjoyed this introduction to raising chickens.
You can find a lot more information and tips on how to raise chickens at my blog http://successwithpoultry.blogspot.com
© 2008 Gina Read
Gina is the author / editor of a free monthly keeping chickens ezine full of raising chickens tips, articles and subscriber coops and photos. http://www.keepingchickensnewsletter.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gina_Read
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