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Friday, May 13, 2011

Temperature Tips for Your Chicken Coop

Temperature Tips for Your Chicken Coop
Keeping the Chicks Comfortable
If your intention is to keep chickens to raise them instead of just for their eggs, then you must know how to ensure that the temperature of the coop is suitable for the chicks. Baby chicks need their environment to be hot when they are first hatched. This is the reason why hens sit on their chicks initially for 48 hours, to keep them warm. Out in the wilderness, hens sit on their chicks till they have grown enough feathers for them to cope with normal temperatures.
If you are raising your chicks in a specific environment, then you must ensure that the temperature remains warm enough for them. The simplest solution for this is to install heat lamps when the chicks are kept. For the initial week, the chicks need the temperature to be roughly 95 degrees Fahrenheit. After that, you can decrease the temperature by roughly 5 degrees Fahrenheit each week, till the chicks are six weeks old. By this time, the chicks should have enough feathers to be able to go outside into the area where the rest of the chickens are. However, this may not be the case if you live someplace that is exceptionally chilly.
Fully Matured Chickens
When the chickens have matured fully, they prefer temperatures which are neither too hot nor very cold. To make certain that your chickens remain comfortable throughout the year, you should construct a properly ventilated coop that has efficient air circulation. If the climate of your area is cold, you might want to add some insulation in the walls to keep your chickens warm. Remember that if your chickens feel too cold, they will not lay as many eggs as they normally would.
During warm seasons, make sure that your chickens are completely comfortable. These birds tend to fall ill in humid climates, and you want to avoid that. When you are designing the coop, add a door that faces the direction when wind usually flows from, and add vents at high places in the walls. The windows should be adjustable so that you can open and close them suitable during warm and cold months.
Lastly, you can also invest in artificially maintaining the temperature inside the chicken coop. there are many unit s available in the market for you to choose from. However, make sure that the wiring is completely concealed as you definitely want to avoid the consequences of open wiring.
Author Resource:- For more great tips and advice on chicken coops, visit http://www.chickencoopadvice.com.

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The Buttercup Chicken Is Interesting And Beautiful

The buttercup chicken, also known as the Sicilian Buttercup, was developed in the 1800's in Sicily. It is reported that one female and one male were imported to the US later in that century and today's line remain the direct descendants of the original couple. This line of chicken is rare, beautiful and exhibition worthy, a life-long layer and a pretty good pet.


Their eggs are few and small but the Buttercup hen is a dependable layer. All experts do not agree, however, about this breed as a pet. Some experts recommend it as a pet because of its curiosity and friendliness.


Some propose that although it is friendly, it also a good flier, and so, enjoys its independence too much to be kept as a pet. A third group of experts believe that the Buttercup avoids human contact completely. They all agree, however, that baby chicks can be trained to enjoy interaction with humans.


Current reports state that the number of baby chicks is limited but can be purchased online from several hatcheries. Owners and experts agree that males are the friendlier of the breed. For the most part, Buttercups do not like confinement but will enjoy human contact when other conditions are suitably met such as outdoor places to roam and fly in addition to a warm habitat for resting and nesting.


A warm coop will protect this bird's unique comb from frostbite and the comb is very sensitive to cold. It is specifically because of its unique crown-like shaped comb and its golden-toned feathers that the breed has acquired its name.


Its golden feathers and stunning crown make the buttercup chicken an attractive bird and therefore renders it as a definite prize-winner at exhibitions. The variety was admitted to the "American Poultry Association Standard of Perfection" in 1918. The hen has lovely brown spots or "spangles" in long rows running along golden or amber colored feathers. The males sport dark green tails and their feathers range from dark orange to golden-red spotted with black "spangles".


Hens mature early and start laying by the time they reach 5 months of age. They are not extremely productive but average approximately 2 eggs a week and lay their whole life. Some controversy exists also around the eggs' appearance. There is claim that the eggs are always white and small. Others insist that they will have a slight hew or tint to them.


It might seem odd, to some, think of chickens as pets. Granted, even the name, chicken, tickles the funny bone and many people will find the thought of it funny. However, chickens are a good choice as a pet if they are given adequate living quarters and sufficient area outdoors where they can fly, lay in the sun, walk, peck and scratch. They are definitely not the sort to be confined indoors.


Buttercup chickens are entertaining and engaging and may even learn to sit in a person's lap. Baby chicks which are hand-raised will respond to the call of their name, will allow someone to stroke them and may even eat out of someone's hand. Pet chickens will respond well when rewarded with food and positive reinforcement.


When raised from chicks in a clean, warm, habitat, buttercup chickens would be an interesting and fun pet. Given that their laying output is approximately two eggs weekly, it wouldn't be wise to seek this breed for this type of food source. Like any pet, a buttercup chicken will be entertaining, beautiful to look admire, good company and at the very least, an unconventional conversation piece.
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Best Deals On Birdcages Online

A cozy, secure, clear cage is the ideal matter you can do for your bird. Setting up the ideal natural environment for your bird will not only make your bird content, it will make it much easier for you to preserve the bird cage. Here are some goods you will need for the great house.

CAGE LINERS AND LITTER
Cage liners and litter will make your life a small less difficult. You want to be able to clear out your bird cage very easily and rapidly. Which variety you use is private preference. Some proprietors like liners given that they can be peeled away and replaced fast. Other people favor to scoop litter out of the tray at the bottom of the cage. If you use litter, make confident you uncover a dust free selection and change it each and every 3 days.

CUPS AND SHIELDS
Cups are for meals and drinking water and are generally your bird's dishes. Discover cups that are dishwasher risk-free and uncomplicated to lift out. Also, use cups that have bolts or hooks outdoors the cage to avert your bird from chewing on them. Cup shields are meant to maintain seed messes inside the cage as an alternative of flung outside. Make sure you clear food and drinking water cups each day to keep your bird cage clear and sanitary.

CAGE WIPES
Cage wipes are excellent for rapid spills, dropping mishaps or other cage messes. Not only do they make the cage more comfortable for your bird, it helps make it visually eye-catching and keeps odors at bay.

HIDEOUTS
Even however you know your bird is safe and safe in their bird cage, your bird may not often feel that way. In the wild, your bird would use dense leaves or undergrowth to hide. You require to develop related places in your bird's cage. You can add tent like bird beds, nests or nest boxes to the bird cage. You can also add actual tree branches for larger birds. One more choice is merely use the cage cover to cover only part of the cage. All of these selections will give your bird a location to duck and conceal if he or she requirements a retreat.

NESTING Products
Its obvious, but birds want to construct nests! Your bird may do this on a seasonal basis. In the wild, they have access to a extensive assortment of different supplies when your bird is all set to nest. Devoid of these supplies, you may recognize your bird is shredding the paper lining from the floor of the cage or even plucking out her personal feathers. When this takes place, give her nesting material to assemble her cozy nest. Your bird will get a cozy nest and you have much less mess to clean up.

CAGE Covers
At evening, birds want a dark, quiet area to rest. A cage cover is the ideal way to shield out light and anything you or your family could be doing that would be a distraction. Cage addresses also assist keep your bird cage warm in colder months. As noted formerly, cage addresses can also be applied to offer a hideout, so they have various features. Numerous bird owners just use a sheet to cover their bird cage. Nonetheless you can also buy addresses produced especially for bird cages. These are also more desirable than just using an previous sheet.

PERCHES AND TOYS
As with other equipment, perches replicate your bird's natural surroundings in the wild. Perches act as tree branches where birds perch outside. Irregular surface aid your bird exercise and different textures can aid hold nails trimmed. Ideally, a cage has a range of perches with distinct dimensions and diameters so your bird has a assortment of locations to perch.

Birds also want to maintain active in their cages to protect against boredom. A selection of unique toys is a great way to hold your bird or birds occupied. Sisal, wicker and woven palm are all components birds would locate in the wild and appreciate to play with. Make confident you don't put as well many toys in the cage at 1 time. You don't want it so crowded that your bird brushes the sides of the cage though shifting all-around. This leads to feather injury. Also, rotate toys weekly. This will hold your bird interested and assist you discover which toys they like very best.

These are points you need to retain in brain when buying for a bird cage and when setting it up. This is your bird's household, so you want to make it as comfy, pleasant and inviting as possible. It will also be a significant piece of furniture in your home if placed in the right location. Setting it up ideal and delivering the proper accessories will make upkeep easy for you and a fabulous home for your bird.
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Bird Food: Which Ones to Feed Your Pet

In the olden days, parrot food consisted solely of seeds. This genuinely is so thinking about seed merchandise are believed to contain the majority of vitamins and minerals that are important for bird improvement. Seeds are usually the most widespread element in a bird's diet plan program. The commercially manufactured ones frequently may have the balance and numerous kinds that a typical bird will want. But these occasions, seeds aren't the sole ones that are getting offered to these parrots. Pet owners have turn out to be much more capable and alert to the many outcomes of diverse food to their feathered friends. In addition to seeds, there is also the pellet. Some may possibly declare that pellets are actually healthier for a bird's food plan than seeds. This is since with pellets, the bird can eat the entire nugget that delivers an advanced level of nourishment. Compared to the seed which typically leaves the hull behind, the pellet is perfectly edible and thus there isn't any waste material that comes about along the way.

Another food choice that bird breeders have is normally to go natural and natural. What ever this comprises is supplying food stuff that is organic or fresh or homemade. Sorts of these can be pasta, veggies, fruits plus some vitamin solutions and mineral add ons. But bird breeders have to usually bear in mind that just prior to supplying their bird any of these or choosing this sort of consuming plan, an general consultation with a veterinarian ought to be accomplished 1st. A veterinarian can help establish which mix of an assortment of food would have the right amount and correct sort of nutritional worth the pet bird ought to have.

Let's speak about table food. This unique "human food" is pretty effectively-known with regards to a parrot's optional diet plan program. However there could be some type of table food that could not be helpful for them. This might consist of these that are too salty or if the size is not appropriate for the bird. Bird owners ought to retain in mind that food sizes need to be modest particularly if supplying nuts. A rationale that this sort of feeding is taken into account is for variation. Birds do get weary if they consume the identical point repeatedly. This is not to take into account that they may possibly not be finding the diverse nutrients that they may have from those identical food. This is what demands to be noted when giving this kind of parrot food and must generally have the go signal from a veterinarian.

Even though there are recommended food there are also sorts of food that flash the red light in relation to taking superior care of your parrots. Some varieties of food to steer clear of would be these that contain a lot of sodium or too a lot sugar. Those with alcohol and caffeine must also be avoided. Garlic and onions are not that advisable too. Curry powder is a no-no. Mushrooms are not that great of an idea also as there may possibly be fungus that could be damaging to your pet's wellness. As very well as leaves that are obtained in tomatoes. Avocados in their entirety are also unhealthy for your bird as they can lead to cardiac arrest. Steer clear also from plants such as amaryllis, shamrock, azaleas, lantana, and daffodil amongst a excellent quite a few other people. These forms of plants may bring different sorts of wellbeing problems that can range from gastrointestinal difficulties to depression.

It would somehow necessitate some effort in selecting out which parrot food to feed your pet bird. Nonetheless just do bear in thoughts that what is beneficial to you could also be wholesome for him but take into account so when you have got the permission of the veterinarian. You would know that you are performing an admirable job at taking care of your pet if his feathers are glistening, his beak is sleek and sturdy, his stool is effectively formed and his eyes are clear

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