Quck answer
Backyard chickens can make great pets for those who are willing to commit to their care. They provide fresh eggs, entertainment, and can even help with pest control. However, they require proper housing, feeding, and healthcare. Additionally, local laws and regulations must be followed. Chickens can also be noisy and messy, and may not be suitable for all lifestyles. Ultimately, backyard chickens can be rewarding pets for those who are prepared to take on the responsibility and provide for their needs.
Pets
While we typically associate chickens with farms, more and more people are raising them in their own backyards. But why? According to many backyard chicken owners, the eggs produced by their chickens are fresher, tastier, and more visually appealing than store-bought eggs. Not to mention, raising chickens can be a great way to teach children about nature and responsibility, as these social creatures have their own unique personalities. However, before jumping into backyard chicken ownership, it’s important to ensure that it is allowed in your area, as some neighborhood associations may prohibit it. Assuming that it is allowed, what do you need to know before starting your own flock?
The most important thing you’ll need to start raising backyard chickens is a safe and secure chicken coop.
Wikimedia/(CC BY-SA 2.0)
What Do Chickens Need?
Like any pet, chickens require a significant time and money commitment. They need attention at least twice a day, a safe coop to protect them from predators and weather, fresh water and food, and regular cleaning to manage their waste. When it comes to the coop, a basic design should include four walls, a weather-proof roof, good ventilation, nesting boxes, and roosts or perches. According to the University of Missouri Extension, a medium-sized chicken needs at least 3 square feet of floor space and should be tall enough for you to stand comfortably, collect eggs, and clean the coop. You can also provide your chickens with an attached outdoor area known as a “run” for exercise and fresh air, but be aware that allowing them to roam freely puts them at risk of attack from predators like foxes, coyotes, and raccoons. Additionally, free-range chickens tend to leave their droppings everywhere, which can be a nuisance to clean up.
To create a coop for chickens, nesting boxes are necessary to provide a comfortable place for hens to lay their eggs. It is recommended to have at least one box per three-to-four chickens, and they should be raised 18 inches off the ground, lower than the roosts. Roosts should be higher than the nests, as chickens prefer to sleep on high surfaces. Chickens enjoy chicken scratch, a mix of grains and seeds. In colder climates, insulation is important, and safer options than heat lamps include ceramic heat bulbs, heat plates, and chick brooders. Bedding options such as straw, pine straw, pine chips, and sand are commonly used, but all require maintenance. Prepared feed is the best option for nutrition, and chickens can supplement their diet with bugs, worms, and weeds. When choosing chickens, a mixture of three to six breeds is recommended, and popular breeds for egg production and good temperament include Rhode Island Reds, Wyandotte, Barred Rocks, Buff Orpingtons, and Ameraucana. Hens start laying eggs at around six months old and can continue for five to ten years, with the most productive years being the first two.
Why You Should Avoid Keeping Roosters
If you’re not interested in breeding chickens, dealing with loud crowing, or handling an aggressive bird, then it’s best to avoid getting a cockerel (a rooster that’s less than a year old).
Paul D’Angelo, a city planner and chicken owner in Asheville, North Carolina, and his partner, Matt, had to give away their rooster when his territorial behavior and loud crowing became too much to handle. “He became mean and wouldn’t let anyone into his space, including our yard,” D’Angelo explained.
The problem is that it’s difficult to determine the sex of a chick when they’re young, so many people unintentionally end up with a rooster. Hatcheries can be about 90% accurate when “sexing” chicks, but it requires a lot of experience. You won’t know for certain until your chicken is between 12 and 30 weeks old and either crows or lays an egg.
As roosters mature, they develop more vibrant feathers, bigger combs, and fleshy skin called “wattles” that hang down from their chins. Perhaps the term “cocky” comes from some particularly obnoxious roosters.
Now That’s Interesting
The “century egg,” a Chinese delicacy, is made by curing chicken, quail, or duck eggs in a pot of strong black tea, sodium, baking soda, lime, and fresh ash for 100 days (not years, despite the name). Those who eat it first encounter a pungent ammonia smell, then a brown egg “white” with a jello-like consistency and a hard gray-green yolk patterned with fungi. The century egg has a sharp, astringent taste.
FAQ
1. What are backyard chickens?
Backyard chickens are chickens that are kept by people in their backyards instead of on a farm. They are usually kept for their eggs or meat, but some people keep them as pets.
2. What are the benefits of keeping backyard chickens?
Keeping backyard chickens can be beneficial in many ways. They provide fresh eggs, are a source of fertilizer for gardens, and can be a fun and educational hobby. Plus, they make great pets!
3. What do backyard chickens need to be happy and healthy?
Backyard chickens need a safe and secure coop to sleep in at night, a fenced-in area to roam during the day, fresh food and water, and regular veterinary care.
4. How much work is involved in keeping backyard chickens?
Keeping backyard chickens does require some work, such as cleaning the coop, providing food and water, and collecting eggs. However, many people find it to be a rewarding and enjoyable experience.
5. Are there any downsides to keeping backyard chickens?
Some downsides to keeping backyard chickens include the initial cost of setting up a coop and buying chickens, the potential for noise and odor, and the risk of predators such as raccoons and foxes.
6. What breeds of chickens make good pets?
Some breeds of chickens that make good pets include Silkies, Orpingtons, and Plymouth Rocks. These breeds are known for their docile temperament and friendly personalities.
7. Do backyard chickens require a lot of space?
Backyard chickens do require some space to roam during the day, but they don’t need as much space as you might think. A small flock of four or five chickens can be happy and healthy in a backyard area as small as 100 square feet.
8. Do backyard chickens make a lot of noise?
Backyard chickens do make noise, but it’s usually not excessive. Roosters are the noisiest, so if you want to keep chickens as pets, it’s best to stick with hens only.
9. What should I feed my backyard chickens?
Backyard chickens should be fed a balanced diet that includes a combination of commercial chicken feed and kitchen scraps. They also need access to fresh water at all times.
10. How often do backyard chickens lay eggs?
Most breeds of backyard chickens lay eggs almost every day during the peak laying season, which is usually in the spring and summer. However, the number of eggs produced can vary depending on factors such as age and diet.
11. How long do backyard chickens live?
Backyard chickens can live for several years if they are well cared for and protected from predators. Some breeds, such as Leghorns, are known for their longevity and can live up to 10 years or more.
12. Are backyard chickens a good choice for families with children?
Backyard chickens can be a great choice for families with children. They are fun and educational pets that can teach children about responsibility and where their food comes from. However, it’s important to supervise young children around chickens and teach them how to handle them safely.
Leave a Reply