On some farms, the flock is not housed, but instead, allowed the run of the property. Since they can't fly, they're unlikely to leave the yard, preferring in lieu to stay close to food and water. Free-range chickens, as they're commonly called, roam around and peck the dirt. They're moving nearly all the time, feeding on bugs and morsels of plant material.

One drawback to this style of raising chickens is that they leave their droppings all over the place. It makes excellent fertilizer, but is not nice to walk in. To boot, free range poultry will lay their eggs anywhere they find convenient. Although that may work for the chicken, it is inconvenient and inefficient for the farmer desiring to gather the eggs.

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

One might believe that free-range poultry would be healthier and indeed, happier than housed chickens. Their diet will be more natural and varied, even if supplemented with chicken feed. In addition, the threat of sickness may be lessened since the poultry are not confined to one area.

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

Much like our own dwellings, chicken houses have sleeping areas, eating areas and nearly all even have a yard. Like most birds, chickens choose to roost at night. Inside the chicken coop, wooden perches are set up in both high and low positions for this intent. Like people, chickens are individuals and will frequently show a preference for one or the other.

One of the reasons for breeding chickens is for the eggs. Because of this, nests are also incorporated in the normal chicken coop. When lined with straw or other bedding, hens will use them for egg laying making them easy to find. They will also use them for sleeping, both during the night and daytime.

In addition to perches and nests, the chicken coop also integrates feeding and watering places. Normally, they're particularly constructed feeders and waterers that are partially covered. Open water containers are peculiarly dangerous for chickens. Not only is there a potential for serious water pollution, but there's also a risk of the chickens drowning.

In most poultry house systems, there is an outside, confined area adjacent to the coop. A poultry run, as it is called, is fenced in and frequently covered. The size of the run depends solely upon how many chickens will be using it. Most cover the same square footage as the actual house itself, in essence doubling the living space of the flock. Throughout the daytime hours, chickens freely move between the coop and the run, at night they're detained to the house.

A poultry house will need constant and thorough cleanup to keep the flock healthy. Over time, fecal matter, feathers and other debris will build up on interior surfaces. This can advance the evolution of maladies and parasites that can harm the flock. Monthly cleaning and care of the chicken coop, therefore, is highly recommended.

Whether you raise chickens in a free-range fashion or an orthodox hen house, chickens need fresh food and water daily. In hot weather conditions, they should be given fresh water several times a day. In colder weather, keeping the water from freezing is the primary concern. Chicken food is available at local livestock suppliers and comes in different formulations. Laying hens and chickens raised for their meat are fed different types of feed.

Overall, raising poultry is pretty easy. From the eggs that can be collected daily to fresh chicken meals and even fertilizer for the garden plot, they're beneficial too.