Should You Raise Your Own Chickens?
With the price of eggs and groceries going up, lots of folks are looking at raising their own chickens for the first time. I love it.
However, there are some things to consider before you dive in.
Don’t jump in thinking you’re going to save money on eggs. If you want chickens and enjoy taking care of them, then go ahead and become a “chicken tender”. However, the cost of good quality feed alone is more than what you will pay your local farmer for a dozen of eggs.
Chickens have to be fed and watered (usually) twice a day. So if you’re planning a vacation, you’re going to have to get someone who can take care of them. And just know while you’re away, that’s when the predator will find a way into the coop, the water line will spring a leak, or some chickens will get sick. Murphy’s Law.
Chickens get sick. Most folks don’t have a chicken vet, so learning how to handle the basics becomes necessary. Chicken has bumblefoot? (an infection usually on the bottom of the foot). Well, you’ve got to get in there and dig it out, doctor it up and keep it clean until recovery.
You will have some die. Chickens are pretty hardy creatures, but as with any animal, you are going to have losses. It just happens. And it will usually be your favorite one that it happens to.
There will be a LOT of poop. Cleaning doesn’t have to takes hours, but it is a constant and continuous chore that cannot be ignored. Also, you will need to have a plan of manure and bedding disposal, or maybe composting.
They must have a secure coop. I always advise folks not to buy those cheap little chicken coops from the farm store. They don’t last more than a year and they are not predator proof. A predator has nothing else to do with it’s time than find a small hole, a weak spot or a place to dig under your coop. You’d be amazed at how a racoon can squeeze through a small opening.
Besides the coop, you will need feeders, waterers, grit and a dust bathing area. All of these things will need to be replaced/maintained periodically.
If you’re still reading and still want to get chickens, then awesome! For me, the work is worth the experience.
Personally, I love having these comical critters running around and I enjoy having my own source of fresh eggs. It’s exciting to hatch baby chicks and select breeding groups for different colored eggs and qualities such as tempermant, size and improving the stock. It’s always an experiment.
Raising chickens is one of those old fashioned traditions that has been lost on so many in our current culture. These traditions connect us to nature, connect us to life and connect us to a simpler time.
I want my kids and grandkids to know where their food comes from. It’s quite empowering.
So, if you’re considering starting a flock of your own, please reach out. I’d love to help.
Farm On,
Alisa Wyatt
