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| When done correctly raising backyard chickens can be a rewarding hobby. |
Having a few chickens in the backyard was once a common practice. The introduction of vitamin D made it easier to keep chickens healthy all year long and made fresh eggs and chicken meat available to almost anyone who had enough space in their yard for a coop. Today, backyard chickens are trendy again. Our tips on raising backyard chickens will help you decide if you’re up for the challenge or whether it’s a fowl idea.
Know Your Birds
All ages and genders of chickens are called chickens just like all ages and genders of dogs can correctly be called dogs. But within the larger category of “chicken” there are specific words that you should know if you want to sound bird savvy.
- Roosters are male chickens older than one year
- Cockerels are male chickens under one-year-old
- Capons are castrated male chickens
- Hens are female chickens older than one year
- Pullets are female chickens under one-year-old
Visit a Chicken
You can learn a lot by researching on the Internet, but nothing replaces first-hand experience. Visit a friend or neighbor who is successfully raising backyard chickens. Ask questions about their setup, the mistakes they’ve made and what advice they have to share. Not only will you get great information, but you’ll have someone to call on when you need to troubleshoot your own operation.
The Circle of Life
Be prepared to deal with unexpected chicken deaths, sometimes brutal ones. All manner of predators can make their way into a backyard coop, even in urban areas where you don’t expect wildlife to be. Weasels, raccoons, foxes and even neighborhood dogs can kill a number of chickens quickly. If they are crowded or unhappy, chickens may bully or even kill one another. People who are new to raising animals for food will also have to face the reality of eating an animal they know and may have affection for. Don’t be surprised if your big plan for filling the freezer with homegrown meat changes to filling the yard with pet chickens.
Eggs in the Basket
The fantasy of collecting freshly laid eggs every morning before breakfast is often just that—a fantasy. Egg production depends on the breed and health of the chickens, the time of year, the quality of their food and other mysteries you may never figure out. A new brood may take several weeks to start laying and even then production may be light. Be sure to collect eggs promptly—best before noon—to avoid eggs being cracked or eaten.
If you take the time to provide them with the right environment and care, raising backyard chickens can be a fun and rewarding hobby for the whole family.
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