Backyard Chickens and Home-Grown Eggs

When you think of growing some food in your backyard you may immediately see visions of cabbage and spuds - but you might also want to consider getting a few hens. Nothing tastes better than home-grown eggs, and the silly antics of a pair of hens can keep you entertained for hours.

If you're thinking about getting a few cluckers yourself, this article will help you decide if the girls will be worth the trouble. After all, eggs are not all that hens will bring to your life. In addition to the extra time it takes to care for them, and the money and required to buy and build adequate shelter, you'll also need to find a diplomatic way to introduce your neighbors to the idea of living next to an "urban farm." After reading this article, you should know if the extra eggs will be worth effort.

You will need to take care of your chickens every single day. That takes both time and money.

Your local feed store or pet store will have chicken feed available, and it's not terribly expensive. However, if your chickens only eat commercial feed and have no access to garden bugs and weeds, the cost of the feed may come close to the amount you now spend on eggs from the store. And chickens only lay eggs when there's plenty of light - they still eat all winter, even when they aren't laying many eggs.

If saving money is your primary reason for getting some chickens, be sure to add up the cost of feed plus the cost of the chicken house, run, and "furniture" for water and feed, and then determine how many years these items will be used.

You must also consider the time it takes each day to give your birds their fresh water and food and to collect the eggs. This will only take a few minutes each day, but when it comes time to take a vacation, you may have a hard time finding a neighbor or friend who is willing to take over your chores. Before you order your first chicks, be sure that you know which family member will be responsible for the daily chores, and line up someone who's willing to care for your birds when you need to be away from home.

Also remember that chickens need to be "put to bed" every single night to protect them from predators. They will naturally go into their house to roost at sundown, but they can't lock the door by themselves. That chore falls to you. You must never forget or you could lose your entire flock overnight to a raccoon or other predator.

This brings us to the question of housing. Chickens do need a safe place to live that protects them from stray dogs and wild animals. They also need to be kept out of vegetable and flower gardens when the plants are small to keep them from destroying the plants as they scratch for bugs.

There are two basic forms of housing for hens - stationary houses with a fenced-in run attached, and a moveable "chicken tractor" that can be moved across the yard each day. Each style has benefits and drawbacks.

If you live on a city lot, the esthetics of the chicken's housing may be important, too. Some cities, like Portland, Oregon, have yearly tours of urban chicken houses. You will be amazed at the variety of styles that people come up with for their backyard chickens, from architecturally-designed mini-mansions to small huts made of straw bales to plastic gizmos that look like dog houses with nests attached. Take a trip to the local library and check out a book of chicken house plans and choose one that is both affordable and pleasing to the eye. Then both you and the neighbors will be happy.

It is best to choose a chicken house plan before discussing your idea with your neighbors. This is because the type of housing you choose can affect the people around you if you live on a city lot. Although esthetics might be the first thing you think of when choosing a house, your neighbors will probably be concerned about the possibility of farm-yard odors.

This prejudice is difficult to overcome. For that reason, you'll want to learn about odor-control measures, such as deep litter in stationary chicken houses, or using a movable house and run to prevent the buildup of droppings.

When you feel assured that you can keep your birds from smelling (it's not hard to do, but a lot of people don't know that), it's time to talk to your neighbors and let them know that a few chickens may be moving in. Tell them that you've investigated all the possible problems, such as odors and noise, and then explain how you intend to raise your chickens so these problems never have a chance to bother them.

You might also mention that you'll probably have a few too many eggs on occasion, and that you're willing to share. If your neighbors experience the pleasure of a few home-grown eggs this year, they may get a few hens of their own next spring.

In spite of the initial costs, many people still believe that a few chickens in their backyard will help their families get through economic hard times. They're willing to do their research, build a chicken house and yard, and assign daily care to a family member. But before taking the plunge, be sure to plan ahead and make your decision wisely, based on what you know about your own family's needs and lifestyle. Then you'll know in advance if you really want to spend the extra time and money needed for your own backyard flock.