How to Raise Backyard Chickens without Upsetting the Neighborssubmitted on 21 November 2016
If you dream of owning a flock of backyard chickens, you are not alone. Keeping chickens has become the hobby of choice for millions of people. Chickens are entertaining, easy to keep, and you get to enjoy a supply of free-range eggs for much of the year. It’s a win-win situation!
There are, however, a few things to remember if you decide to buy some chickens for your back yard.
Can You Keep Chickens?
Raising animals in the backyard is perfectly acceptable as long as you don’t have any covenants attached to your property. There will likely be some limits on the type of animals you can keep, but chickens are usually OK providing you don’t introduce a huge flock into a very small space. If you have any concerns, or you live in a rental property, do check before you buy your chickens.
Chicken Housing
Chickens are happy to roam freely during the day, but you do need to provide them a safe coop for when it gets dark. In the wild, chickens will happily roost up in a tree to avoid being eaten by predators, but it is safer to give them a coop where they can be locked away at night.
Wooden coops are the most common type you will see, but there are also purpose-built plastic coops that are easier to clean. A coop is basically a shed with a door and an access ramp. Your chickens will also need a separate laying box within the coop, where they can lay their eggs. Chickens perch when they sleep or rest, so make sure your coop has horizontal slats for your chickens to perch.
Chicken Safety
Chickens need protection from predators, so the coop must be secured at night, preferably with a lock or latch on the door. If your chickens roam freely during the day, be aware that a predator may see them as fair game, particularly if you live in a rural area.
Chicken Food
Chickens eat pretty much anything, so you won’t have to worry about getting rid of kitchen scraps any time soon. Chickens spend their time scratching in soil and dirt for food. They love to eat bugs, snails and slugs, so once you have chickens your garden will be free from pests. Unfortunately, chickens also love to dig up plants and flowers, so if you take pride in your garden, you may not enjoy having chickens around!
Aside from scraps, feed your chickens a diet of special layers pellets, together with an animal feed supplement for added health. Your chickens will also benefit from a supply of oyster shell to keep their eggs healthy.
Chicken Healthcare
Chickens need to be wormed regularly. They are also prone to infestations of lice, particularly in hot weather, so give them an area to use as a dust bath, as this will keep parasites to a minimum.
Nothing beats the taste of free-range eggs laid by your own hens!
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