I ’d expend closely to two years researching chickens before prescribe my first chicks in 2010 . At that fourth dimension , shortening the aloofness food travel to my kitchen was a personal mission . With chickens , I could scale down the space testicle travel to just 30 feet ! My chicken compulsion bug out that frankly , but finally , it was just an excuse to finally order those day - old peeps .
City kids miss out on some of the experiences their rural peers might have , namely farm . My goals were simple : to ensure our food is raised humanely ( by me ) , to teach my children about where nutrient come from and to pattern respect for the animals that feed in us .
If you ’re at the beginning of your chicken - sustain journey , or if you ’re still cogitate about climb up into the chicken coop , here are seven affair you might not know about raising metropolis chickens :
1. Your friends and family won’t understand.
From the first prison term you herald , “ I ’m suffer chickens ! ” to several yr into the future when you harbinger , “ I ’m pay back more volaille ! ” your protagonist and family will continue to reckon puzzled , ask why or express mirth at you . This is OK ! You ’re doing something a footling unlawful , which is bound to get some chuckles . They secretly care for your extra eggs , and so you are redeemed .
2. You’ll become Master of Poop Management.
Chickens have only one agency out , the vent , so all the unspoiled and all the bad our chicken have to offer come from the same place . In small urban spaces , wangle manure is incredibly important . A flock of five hen poops as much as a medium - sized weenie , except they poop everywhere and with abandon .
I move my wandering coop every two daylight , then I crease the 4 - by-8 - groundwork arena smartly to get the matted poop out of the grass . Its high nitrogen cognitive content will burn the supergrass if it ’s left to break down . All track down rakings and muddy bedding go in the compost bin , where it will decompose and finally feed the garden .
3. Individual chicken personalities may outshine hatchery breed descriptions.
When we place our first chick orderliness four long time ago , my husband was adamant about choosing at least one breed . He select a Buff Laced Polish for her beauty and patrician , friendly disposition . Sookie repose just a couple clutches of arrant - white ballock each year , but the residue of the time she plays cock , rousing the rest of the daughter each morning and unwisely protect them against the hand that feeds them . ( That ’d be me . ) She ’s an anomaly of her breed and abnormally aggressive , even for the acting roo . Prepare yourself for chickens ’ true individual personalities .
4. A flock doesn’t need a rooster to lay eggs.
hen will ovulate whether there ’s a manful partner or not . Unless you want babies , you do n’t take a roo . rooster are much noisier than hens , so for the consideration of your neighbors in close proximity , raising cock is n’t normally a expert idea . In a flock of hens , one will either offer for or be assigned the job of protector within the pecking rules of order .
5. Each neighborhood dog is a potential predator with unpredictable instincts.
While chickens are descendent of jungle fowl , they ’re domesticated and swear on you for protective cover from all kinds of predators . violent animals are only one consideration when guarding against attacks . Even your own frankfurter ’s prey instinct can be unpredictable , no matter how snuggly he is with your menage . Do take flock protection in earnest .
6. Keeping a small flock is a low maintenance hobby but also a real commitment.
Beyond alimentary solid food , clean water and basic cleanliness , chickens do n’t want much . If they must be confined , they love some indulgence in natural behaviors , like forage and dust bathing . Chickens can exist up to 10 years , and sometimes even longer , especially if you like for them well . Do n’t get them if you ca n’t commit .
7. Backyard chickens lay the most expensive eggs you’ll ever eat.
If I reckon the actual cost of my eggs , especially during the wintertime when they bar laying , I might turn back prove volaille . So , I do n’t bother ! I keep chicken for so many more reasons than for their testicle . I keep poulet for entertainment , pest control , plant food , and because they bring a lifelike charm and an unmatched sensation of calm air to my G . downlike butt running across the yard make me happy ! Eggs ? They ’re a perquisite .
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