Raising chickens in your backyard is fun and rewarding. Just look at all the trends online. Everybody, from the royals Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and Prince Harry, to celebrities like Gisele Bündchen and Tom Brady, Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Aniston, Hillary Duff, and Jennifer Garner are having backyard chickens.
Why?
Because chickens produce tasty eggs that are fresher and better for your diet overall. Also, backyard chickens are helpful in the garden as natural fertilizers, and pluckers of all things wanted and not wanted that grow off the ground. So, trust is the key here. Chickens in the backyard roam freely and pick up things like grass, worms, beetles, and other insects. They are also good garden companions. You can even have them lay eggs without supervision if you feel like a confident nature lover and breeder. They are easy to move around if you decide to have a chicken tractor, making it easy to fertilize different parts of your property. In addition, backyard chickens help save you money on organic fertilizer. Raising chickens can also help you learn more about chicken farming, nature, and food economics. Finally, raising backyard chickens is a great way to teach kids responsibility, money management, and caring for animals.
Newborn chicks vs. adult chicks
Buying young chickens, raising and caring for them is fun. However, raising newborn chicks yourself is much more rewarding and fulfilling, even if you are just starting out. You will have to spend more time and energy raising these adorable animals, but they will be worth it in the end. However, they can be a little expensive when you need to buy everything they need to survive. Here at Run-Chicken, we think that you’ll quickly get used to caring for them. The feed cost will also increase as the chickens grow, but this will decrease over time as they become older.
You can also choose a suitable hen with fertilized eggs, and you may also want to consider a rescue hen or an ex-battery hen if you feel helping animals in need. Once you have selected a hen, you should look for brooding signs and eggs. Then, you can begin incubating their eggs and caring for them. Though it may be like a daunting task, it can be simple because all you have to do is put the egg under a lamp and wait for it to hatch.
Several different breeds of chickens are available when you are just starting to select your flock members—some lay green eggs, some yellow, and some plain white ones. Sadly there isn’t an egg that would be purple with orange dots. We are still waiting for that one from the scientists.
You can consider Ameraucanas, for example. They are very attractive and come in different colors to make your flock lively but not too incoherent. Their eggs are also larger than those from other breeds. As a result, they can be kept in any climate and give you many eggs throughout the season. If you are planning to have meat and eggs, you can consider Orpingtons. These chickens can grow up to eight pounds and are suitable for meat and eggs. They can also tolerate cold climates if this is an issue where you live.
Backyard chickens
There are many beneficial factors of raising chickens in your backyard. First, you will be able to get fresh eggs almost every day. You will wake up in the morning and go outside, pick your eggs and make yourself breakfast for no money at all. Free, delicious, and healthy, what more does an egg lover need.
The only downside is that chickens require daily maintenance, so it may not be the ideal option for those with limited time at home. But daily care can also be fun and provides more time spent outside for you, which is beneficial for your body and mind. Did you know that outside activities warn against depression and loneliness?
As with any animal, chickens require regular care and daily feeding. First of all, you need to find a secure and insulated place. You can make your chicken coop door extra safe if you install an automated chicken coop door from Run-Chicken.
Secondly, you will need a feeder for the chickens. You should place the feeder away from drafts and under shelter from the elements. You will also need to buy feed and water for your chickens. Finally, don’t forget to keep the meal out of the rain and replenish the waterer every so often so they can drink fresh water all the time. Dirty or frozen water can lead to dehydration and illness.
If you do not follow the deep litter method, you will need to scoop their feces out of their chicken coop every day. Also, as with any animal, chickens need proper nutrition to thrive. So feeding them every day is also a must, but if you have extra money to spend, there are all sorts of gadgets that can make your chicken raising easier.
There are some minuses when raising chickens in your backyard. On the other hand, having a flock of backyard chickens is a great way to have fun, save money on eggs and have company all day long.
Before you start raising chickens, you will need to check city ordinances. Most cities have rules on how many chickens can be kept on a property. For example, you may find that some cities only allow hens or roosters. You should also check with your neighbors and determine whether they tolerate chickens. Depending on where you live, you can choose a breed of chicken that will provide you with the most eggs or produce the best meat and eggs.
Finally, don’t forget to share your new chicken coop with us on Facebook or Instagram. Use tag @runchickendoor.
