Education

How many chicks should a beginner start with?

March 13, 2023 alchemist_farm Education

This is an excellent question! The answer ultimately lies in asking yourself why you are keeping chickens? Is It for pets? Pest control? Egg production?

If the answer is eggs for you and your family then the question of how many chicks to start with lies in how many eggs you would like to be receiving per day when they are old enough to lay.

Baby chicken chicks are sold in two ways, “sexed” and “straight run” the sexed chicks are sold as guaranteed males or females. Straight run chicks do not reveal their gender upon hatch and are sold with a 50/50 chance of being male or female. We offer 13 breeds for sale. These breeds are offered as sexed and the rest such as our moss eggers (who lay dark green eggs) and our marans chicken (who lay dark chocolate eggs) are sold straight run.

Lets say you are a family of 4 looking to receive 8 eggs a day in the long run:

Egg Production:

First and foremost, it’s important to understand that not all chickens will lay eggs every day. Egg production depends on the breed of chicken, the age of the bird, and various other factors like diet and living conditions. In general, you can expect a laying hen to produce about 5-7 eggs per week, or roughly 20-28 eggs per month.

Family Size:

To determine how many eggs you need per day, consider the size of your family and how many eggs each person is likely to consume. If each person in your family eats two eggs per day, then you’ll need a total of 8 eggs per day.

Chick Quantity:

Assuming you’re starting with straight run chicks, it’s important to keep in mind that roughly half of them will be male and will not lay eggs. If you want to end up with 8 laying hens, you’ll need to start with at least 16 chicks to ensure that you have enough females. This way, even if a few of them turn out to be roosters, you’ll still have enough hens to meet your egg production needs.

Plan for the Future:

It’s also important to consider the long-term when starting a flock of chickens. Chickens can live for several years, so it’s important to plan for their care and egg production needs beyond the first year. If you want to ensure a steady supply of eggs, you may want to consider adding new chicks to your flock every year or so to replace aging hens.

Once you get into the groove and practice of keeping chickens, adding some new young layers to your existing flock will feel natural and easy.

How Do I Care For My Chickens?

March 11, 2023 alchemist_farm Education

This is the most commonly asked question, and a very important one because you want to make sure you are prepared before brining in a new sweet animal into your life!

There are many details within this larger umbrella question. For a deeper dive on how to care for baby chicks you can visit our website section titled “New Chicken Keeper“. For those of you who prefer video classes we offer a Beginning Chicken Keeping Class and for everyone else, here is a general overview to get you thinking in the right direction!

Feeding: Chickens require a balanced diet of protein, carbohydrates, and essential vitamins and minerals. A diet high in protein is especially important for laying hens, as it helps them produce strong, healthy eggs. Chickens can be fed a commercial feed, supplemented with fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as kitchen cooking scraps and given access to grit for digestion.

Housing: Chickens need a safe and secure place to roost at night and lay their eggs. A chicken coop should provide protection from predators, be well-ventilated, and have ample nesting boxes for egg-laying. It should also be kept clean and free of moisture to prevent disease.

Health: Chickens are susceptible to a range of diseases and parasites, so it is important to keep a close eye on their health. Regularly checking for signs of illness, providing clean water, and keeping the coop clean are all important aspects of maintaining healthy chickens.

General Care: Chickens require regular attention to ensure their overall well-being. This includes monitoring their behavior, providing them with adequate space to move around, and maintaining a regular egg-collecting routine. They invite us to come outside and be with them – daily observation can tell is so much about what is needed for their health and wellbeing.

Why do chickens stop laying eggs?

March 11, 2023 alchemist_farm Education

Lets do a deeper dive into what is causing your ladies to stop laying eggs.

Raising chickens for their eggs is a wonderful experience, but it’s not uncommon for chicken owners to encounter the puzzling problem of their hens suddenly stopping laying eggs. This can be a confusing and stressful situation for any chicken keeper, but it’s important to understand that there are several common reasons why chickens stop laying eggs. By identifying and addressing the underlying cause, it’s often possible to restore egg production and get your chickens back on track.

Here are some of the most common reasons why chickens stop laying eggs:

Age: Just like humans, chickens’ reproductive systems slow down as they age. Most chickens will start laying eggs at around 5-6 months of age and will continue laying for several years. However, as they get older, their egg production will naturally decline, and eventually stop altogether.
Molting: Chickens go through a natural process of shedding and regrowing their feathers once or twice a year, which is known as molting. During this time, chickens often stop laying eggs, as their bodies are focusing on growing new feathers rather than producing eggs.
Stress: Chickens are sensitive animals that can be easily stressed by changes to their environment or routine. Stressors such as extreme temperatures, overcrowding, or changes in diet can cause a chicken to stop laying eggs. We recommend using our chick/hen probiotic/vitamin powder added into their water during times of stress.
Illness or disease: Certain illnesses or diseases can affect a chicken’s ability to lay eggs. For example, infectious bronchitis is a common respiratory illness that can cause a drop in egg production.
Lack of light: Chickens need a certain amount of light each day to stimulate egg production. If they are kept in an area with insufficient light, such as during the winter months, they may stop laying eggs.
Poor nutrition: A balanced diet is crucial for a chicken’s health and ability to lay eggs. If they are not receiving the right nutrients, such as enough protein or calcium, they may stop laying eggs. Hens need at least 16% protein in their feed while chicks need 20%.

If you notice that your chickens have stopped laying eggs, it’s important to identify and address the underlying cause as soon as possible. Here are some steps you can take:

Check your chickens’ age: If your chickens are older, it’s natural for their egg production to decline. You may want to consider adding younger chickens to your flock to maintain a steady egg supply.
Evaluate your chickens’ diet: Make sure your chickens are getting a balanced diet that includes sufficient protein and calcium. You may also want to consider providing additional sources of calcium, such as oyster shells.
Provide sufficient light: If your chickens are not getting enough light, consider providing supplemental lighting to stimulate egg production. Chickens do have a natural slow down in production in the winter. Ask yourself if you can allow them to have that natural slow down of if you need production to be high to feed your family.
Monitor your chickens’ health: Keep a close eye on your chickens for signs of illness or disease, and consult with a veterinarian if necessary.
Address environmental stressors: Make sure your chickens are not overcrowded, and provide adequate ventilation in the coop and temperature control. Are the ladies too hot in summer? Too cold in winter? Spend time with your flock and get a sense of their comfort by observing them.

History of The Welsummer Chicken

February 27, 2023 alchemist_farm Education

The History of This Beautiful Breed Is Interesting

The Welsummer chicken is a breed of domestic fowl that originated in the Netherlands. The breed was developed in the village of Welsum, located in the province of Gelderland, in the early 20th century. The breed was created by crossing several other breeds of chickens, including the Partridge Leghorn and the Plymouth Rock, with the goal of creating a bird that was hardy, good layers, and had a distinctive appearance.

The Welsummer was first introduced to England in the 1920s, where it was embraced for its attractive appearance and excellent egg-laying ability. The breed quickly gained popularity among poultry fanciers, and it was soon being exported to other countries, including the United States.

In the United States, the Welsummer remained a relatively unknown breed until the late 20th and early 21st centuries, when a growing interest in heritage poultry breeds led to a resurgence of popularity for the breed. Today, the Welsummer is widely recognized as an excellent layer of medium to large brown eggs, in our case we are selecting for heavy speckling on our eggs. Our line of heritage welsummers originated from an old school breeder in Appalachia and we are continuing on his work of selecting for speckling and robust health!

This is one very understated but amazing breed not to be missed in your flock 🙂

Ordering baby chicks online and receiving them in the mail

February 16, 2023 alchemist_farm Education

Ordering baby chicks online is a fun and exciting process but you have to do some homework, especially if you have only purchased from a local feed store.

Here are some tips to help ensure a safe and successful online order of baby chicks:

Research the hatchery: Before ordering from a hatchery, do some research to make sure that they have a good reputation and have a track record of successfully shipping healthy chicks. Read reviews and ask for recommendations from other chicken keepers in your area. Hint. Hint. We are a pretty amazing hatchery! 🙂
Check shipping dates: Make sure that the shipping dates work with your schedule and the climate in your area. You don’t want the chicks to arrive during extremely hot or cold weather. We make sure to only ship chicks if your night time temperatures are at least 40 degrees to ensue safe passage of the chicks from us to you.
Know what you’re ordering: Be sure to read the descriptions carefully to ensure that you’re getting the breed, sex, and number of chicks that you want. Make sure to educate yourself on the different between “guaranteed female chicks” (females) and “straight run” (50/50 chance of being male or female).
Shipping and delivery: The hatchery will package and ship the chicks to you via USPS or another carrier. When the chicks arrive, go to your post office to pick them up. We put your phone number on top of the shipping box so they can give you a ring when they arrive. 🙂

When you have the mail order chicks in your possession:

Inspect the chicks upon arrival: When the chicks arrive, carefully inspect them for any signs of illness or injury. Make sure that they are active, alert, and have access to food and water. We have an excellent section on our website for first time chicken keepers here!
Provide proper care: Once the chicks are settled in their brooder, provide them with proper care and attention to help ensure that they grow up healthy and strong. Be sure to follow all instructions in our first time chicken keeper section of the website about caring for your baby chicks, and be prepared to adjust your plans and care based on the needs of your chicks. It is best to order them when you know you will be home and available to care for them.

Not sure what breeds to order?

You can check out our:

Breeds for egg color (especially our Black Copper Marans chickens for their dark chocolate eggs!)

Breeds for beauty (our barnevelders are gorgeous)

Still having a hard time choosing? Let us choose for you with our Surprise box of chicks.

Happy chick raising!

Benefits Of Keeping Backyard Chickens

February 15, 2023 alchemist_farm Education

There are many benefits to keeping backyard chickens

Fresh eggs: One of the primary benefits of keeping backyard chickens is having a constant supply of fresh eggs. Eggs from backyard chickens are often considered to be of higher quality and have a richer taste than store-bought eggs.
Sustainable food source: Raising your own chickens can be a more sustainable and eco-friendly way to obtain your own food. Backyard chickens require less land, water, and feed than traditional livestock, making them a more efficient source of protein.
Pest control: Chickens are natural pest controllers and can help to keep your garden free of bugs and insects. They can also help control weeds and other unwanted vegetation.
Fertilizer: Backyard chickens produce nutrient-rich fertilizer in the form of their droppings. This can be used to fertilize your garden and improve the soil quality.
Educational opportunities: Keeping backyard chickens can be a great learning experience for children and adults alike. It can teach responsibility, animal husbandry, and the importance of sustainable food production.
Companionship: Chickens can be friendly and sociable animals, and keeping them as pets can provide a source of companionship and entertainment.

There are so many more! Chickens are the most generous of animals, they give and ask very little in return. Some folks say dogs are a mans best friend but we argue that it is in fact chickens that can be! 🙂

Connecting With Your Flock

February 13, 2023 alchemist_farm Education

Not sure how to connect with your flock and start establishing that sweet relationship? Give these suggestions a try! 🙂

Spend time with them: The best way to connect with chickens is to spend time with them. This can involve simply sitting with them, watching them as they go about their day, or providing them with treats and interacting with them. Chickens have unique personalities, and getting to know them can be a rewarding experience.
Handle them regularly: Regularly handling your chickens can help to build trust and a bond between you and your birds. Start by holding them gently and talking to them in a calm and reassuring tone. With time, they will become more comfortable with being handled and may even start to enjoy it.
Provide a safe and comfortable environment: Chickens are social animals and do best when they feel safe and comfortable. Providing a clean, spacious coop and run, along with access to food and water, will help to keep your birds happy and healthy. Adding a dust bath, perches, and other environmental enrichment can also help to make their living environment more enjoyable and increase their overall well-being.

In addition to these three ways, it’s also important to be patient and gentle with your chickens, and to always treat them with respect and kindness. With time and effort, you can develop a strong bond with your chickens and enjoy the many benefits of having these fascinating and entertaining pets in your life. May you all connect sweetly today with your flocks!

History of The French Black Copper Marans

February 10, 2023 alchemist_farm Education

Ever wonder About The backstory of this amazing breed

The Black Copper Marans chicken is a breed of domestic fowl that originated in France. The breed was developed in the town of Marans, located in the Charente-Maritime region of France, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The breed was originally used for both egg production and meat, and it was prized for its rich, dark brown eggs.

In the early 20th century, the breed became popular among French poultry fanciers, who worked to standardize its appearance and improve its egg-laying ability. By the 1920s, the Black Copper Marans had become one of the most highly prized breeds of poultry in France, and it was soon exported to other countries, including England and the United States.

In the United States, the Black Copper Marans remained a relatively obscure breed until the late 20th and early 21st centuries, when a growing interest in heritage poultry breeds led to a resurgence of popularity for the breed. Today, the Black Copper Marans is widely recognized as a high-quality layer of rich, dark brown eggs, its attractive appearance, and its gentle, docile temperament.

They are one breed not to miss in your flock! We have chicks available from Feb-October of each year and we ship nationwide! 🙂

The Cycle Begins

February 3, 2023 alchemist_farm Education, Farm News

This week we turned on the incubators for our 2023 season and began the process of turning these incredible shades of eggs into baby chicks for you all.

It is a remarkably powerful moment that begins our weekly cycle from now until November of hatching. Every day I go into our hatching space and quietly touch each incubator, feeling the hum of its little motor. This practice helps me connect with the life that is quietly growing inside. I pray with each one for healthy chicks, solid hatches and the homes that each chick will end up in. We are all so connected, when you support us with your energy we support you back with these incredible beings and the prayers that go along with them.

We are 18 days away from seeing our first little Alchemist chicks emerge. This is that moment of the year that holds so much anticipation and excitement, it is hard to contain it!

This year orders have been a bit different, I believe folks are feeling the unsettled state of the greater poultry industry so they are securing their chicks early. If you know you are wanting chicks in spring I recommend ordering on the sooner side because February and March we are sold out of some breeds already.

We are so grateful for your support over the years and we look forward to adding to your flocks in 2023!
Eggs by color from the top:
French Black Cooper Marans
Heritage Welsummer
Sage Egger
Two lighter colored Moss Eggers along with Alchemist Blues
Azure Eggers
Dark Moss Eggers

Chickens in our Everyday Language

November 16, 2022 alchemist_farm Education, Educational Information, Farm News

Our Language

Some may think that a chickens behavior is simplistic and nothing like her own. Step back for a minute and look at all of the interesting phrases we have in our English language derived from a chickens behavior and from our interactions with them.

We don’t count our chickens before they are hatched, we certainly don’t want to put all of her eggs in one basket. We like to hatch out ideas, we can be cocky or we can chicken out, if we are worried we find ourselves walking on eggshells. Feeling frazzled? Perhaps you are running around like a chicken with your head cut off! If we are feeling stifled we want a chance to spread our wings and we definitely don’t like being cooped up!

Perhaps we are far similar than we realize.

Pictured here is the gorgeous feathering of one of our French Black Copper Marans Roosters. Presales for this breed and many others are open on our website for 2023!