On some farms, the flock is not housed, but instead, allowed the run of the place. Since they can not fly, they're improbable to leave the property, preferring instead to stay close to food and water. Free-range chickens, as they're referred to, roam around and peck the dirt. They are moving nearly all the time, eating insects and bits of plant material.

One drawback to this style of raising chickens is that they leave their dung all over the place. It makes excellent fertilizer, but is not pleasant to walk in. Additionally, free running chickens will lay their eggs anyplace they find convenient. Although that may work for the chicken, it's awkward and inefficient for the farmer needing to collect the eggs.

Another potential consequence with the free-roam technique is the menace of predators. Being exposed, big fowl such as hawks are a major threat to these birds. Unlike their housed counterparts, they have got no actual shelter from the elements either. At night, they roost on low branches or just hunker down on the ground. This can expose them to the threat of nocturnal predators such as cats.

One would think that free-range poultry would be healthier and so, happier than housed chickens. Their food will be more natural and diverged, even if supplemented with chicken food. As well, the threat of sickness may be reduced since the chickens are not enclosed to one space.

It is most common that chicken raisers keep their flock enclosed in a a poultry house. This can be a concrete, wood or metal structure of nearly any size. No matter of what the hen house is constructed of, they will all integrate certain amenities.

Much like our own dwellings, chicken coops have resting areas, feeding areas and most even have a yard. Like most fowl, chickens prefer to roost at night. Inside the chicken house, wooden roosts are set up in both high and low positions for this intent. Like people, poultry are individuals and will frequently show a preference for one or another.

One of the reasons for raising chickens is for the eggs. Because of this, nests are also incorporated in the average chicken coop. When lined with straw or other bedding, chickens will use them for egg laying making them easy to hunt down. They will also use them for sleeping, both during the day and at night.

In addition to perches and nests, the chicken house also incorporates feeding and watering places. Typically, they're specially designed feeders and waterers that are partially covered. Open water containers are peculiarly dangerous for chickens. Not only is there a possibility for serious water pollution, but there's also a chance of the chickens drowning.

In most poultry house systems, there is an outside, confined area adjacent to the coop. A poultry run, as it's called, is fenced in and often covered. The sizing of the run depends exclusively upon how many poulets will be using it. Most cover the same square footage as the actual house itself, in effect doubling the living space of the flock. Throughout the daylight hours, chickens freely move between the coop and the run, at nighttime they're enclosed to the house for safty.

A chicken house will need constant and exhaustive cleaning to keep the flock healthy. Over time, feces, feathers and other junk will develop on interior surfaces. This can encourage the development of diseases and parasites that can hurt the chickens. Monthly cleaning and care of the chicken coop, therefore, is highly advocated.

Whether raised in a free-range way or a traditional hen coop, chickens need fresh food and water daily. In hot weather conditions, they should be given fresh water a few times a day. In colder weather, keeping the water from freezing is the main concern. Chicken feed is available at local farm animal retailers and comes in different preparations. Laying hens and chickens raised for their meat are fed different types of food.

Overall, raising poultry is pretty easy. From the eggs that can be collected daily to fresh chicken dinners and even fertilizer for the garden patch, they are beneficial too.