It must have good ventilation to circulate air and assist in keeping the house dry. Dry litter should cover the ground to prevent the stock from standing in moisture. Separate housing is essential for poultry of significant age difference. Buying baby chicks or pullets from a feed store or hatchery is the easiest way to get started. When buying these, you should know a bit about the different breeds.
Some breeds are better suited for meat production and others are better for egg production.
Many who raise dual purpose breeds will keep the hens for eggs and use the males for meat. Brooding is a term referring to the raising of baby chicks. Chicks should be kept at a temperature of 90-95 degrees until about six weeks of age. Once chicks are six weeks old, decrease the temperature 5 degrees per week until you reach 70 degrees. Supplemental heat thereafter only if weather temperatures go below 70 degrees.