You can mix different chicken breeds in your coop. Check the laws before you get too far down the chicken path. Join forces with other flock enthusiasts in your area to outline the benefits of raising birds and a plan for raising chickens. Many outgoing links on Wholefully are affiliate links. The trend of raising urban chickens has grown significantly. ISTOCKPHOTO Whether you have rural acreage, a suburban backyard or an urban lot, you may be able to raise chickens. Do you think you need a farm to raise chickens? “To be certain chickens are permitted or if possible restrictions … I recommend starting with 2-3 chicks, and going from there (you can always add more chickens in years to come). See also: 30 tips to turn your garden into a wildlife sanctuary. Chicken breeds differ in appearance, behavior, and even in egg quality, quantity, and color! I’ve been raising chickens for over 20 years and was first introduced to them by my grandad (after his dad taught him!). One thing you’ll need to watch out at first for is a condition called pasty butt—yup, that’s really what it’s called. I think that anyone who has the space—and it doesn’t take much—can raise chickens if they want to. save. Taking care of chicks is actually pretty simple. Let chickens out of their coop and let them roam in the enclosed run. Some lay crazy color eggs. You need to decide what qualities are important to you and your family. Our chickens get to be “free” in about a half acre pen during the day, but they are safe from the biggest predator we fight—stray dogs. Can I (Legally) Keep Chickens or Goats in My Back Yard? June 23, 2017 at 2:32 am. Top 10 Favorite Backyard Chicken Breeds. Alright, let’s dig in—and as always, feel free to ask any questions in the comments. You’d be amazed at how many small and large hatcheries there are (especially in rural areas). This is not a problem for us way out in the middle of nowhere, but if you want to do suburban or urban chickenkeeping, you need to check in with your city, state, local, and homeowner’s association ordinances. Having a chicken in your backyard providing you with fresh eggs is a dream we all love to fulfill one day! She lives on a small hobby farm in Southern Indiana with her husband, daughter, two dogs, two cats, and 15 chickens. Wholefully/Back to Her Roots, LLC is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. It’s usually caused by inconsistent heat in the brooder. Connect with your local government. Reading Time: 9 minutes By Dave Holderread – If you want an economical and steady supply of homegrown eggs that are nutritious and tasty, you’ll need a flock of backyard chickens, right?Well, not necessarily. Can I Raise Chickens In My Backyard Yard Game titles Bring the Family Collectively There is almost nothing that can bring a relatives closer together than playing diverse backyard online games. Food is my love language, and my kitchen tips and nourishing recipes are my love letter to you! However, my opinions are based on my individual and unique experience. Right around the 5-6 week mark is a good time to do it—basically, when they have lost all of their fluff and have a full set of feathers to help keep them warm. We LOVED working with The Garden Coop plans—and they have a bunch of different sizes for different flocks. Of course, just like with any other pet, they require daily attention and care. It’s magic! Maybe not for commercial purposes, but to feed your own family. You might lose some chicks if the weather gets cold or there are shipping delays. We’ve never had to herd our chickens into the coop at night. I was so wrong. Reply. There is a lot of confusion about whether or not one can actually keep chickens on their suburban lot, since the ordinances vary from town to town in individual states. Based on my experience in 2016 I believe this line of feed has been amazing for my flock and I encourage you to try it too! And when you’re officially allowed to raise chickens in your backyard, nothing could be more charming than that! Reply . Look at that pose. Food is fairly cheap and you’ll get free eggs, so it’s a pretty good deal in the end. An option in between cooped and free range is penned ranging—where the chickens roam in a large run or pen throughout the day, and then are shut into a coop during the day. Chickens can carry germs such as Salmonella even when they appear healthy and clean. Think of all … They drink water. I personally don’t think keeping chickens needs to be hard, complicated, or life-altering (well, other than having life-alteringly good eggs to cook with). The free Living Wholefully Starter Guide is packed full of tips, tricks, recipes, and a 14-day meal plan to get you started on the road to vibrant health. If you just want eggs, then there is no need to get a rooster. Keeping a backyard flock can be a rewarding and enjoyable hobby, one that is rising in popularity as more people recognize the many benefits of having a "a pet that makes you breakfast"! If you are a first-time chicken keeper, also check out our handy guide to everything you need to know to start raising chickens. Nothing like a deadline to get you crackin’, eh? Backyard Chickens from My Pet Chicken: Offering chicken coops, pictures of chicken breeds and information on how to raise backyard chickens, plus gifts for chicken lovers! Load More … Oftentimes, showing community support and the benefits are key drivers in adding chickens to a community. By raising hens in your back yard, you can get fresh, nutritious eggs. The aforementioned Portage Bay Grange has been a salvation for my backyard chicken endeavors. We ended up making our own coop using The Garden Coop plans. If you purchase a product after clicking an affiliate link, I receive a small percentage of the sale for referring you, at no extra cost to you. She's a home cook and wellness junkie with a love of all things healthy living. Today, however, raising backyard chickens has proven to be worthwhile. By Brian Farkas. Keeping chickens as pets can be a rewarding experience. Most folks get their chicks from a farm store in the Spring. //