The Intrepid Commander’s Guide to Backyard Chickens: Raising 6 Happy, Healthy Hens
WARNING: This is a powerful gateway drug
This week Trump’s Agriculture Secretary recommended that more Americans keep chickens of their own to deal with the egg crisis.
MUSIC TO MY EARS!!!
Why Does IC Keep Backyard Chickens?
My children cannot remember what life was like before chickens. This is beautiful. They know you can buy eggs at the store OR you can make your own much bigger and much better eggs in the backyard.
I grew up outside of Philly in a small row home. My kids will likely keep their own chickens one day. That is the birth of a tradition or perhaps a return to tradition.
You might think that I would have some homesteady type answer but truly the best thing about keeping chickens is building a family accustomed to this level of self-reliance.
Chickens are also natural pest controllers and can be wonderful pets with unique personalities. Plus, their nutrient-rich manure is a fantastic addition to compost piles and gardens.
Home-Raised Eggs vs. Store-Bought Eggs
Backyard eggs are a completely different thing to what is purchased at the supermarket. They have richer flavor, deeper-colored yolks, and contain higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins.
If you eat eggs like me, daily, then it just makes sense to have some hens pecking around in the backyard.
Setting Up Your Coop
A well-designed coop ensures your chickens are safe, comfortable, and productive. My coop has moved all around my yard. You gotta play a little bit and find out what works best in your yard.
I reinforce the deadbolts on my chicken coops to assure that if the little deadbolts get disenganced I have a couple larger ones in place, too.
A Secure Coop & Run: Protects from predators and the elements.
Nesting Boxes: Hens need cozy spots to lay eggs. A 6-hen setup requires at least two nesting boxes.
Perches & Ventilation: Chickens need space to roost at night and proper airflow to stay healthy. I just throw large branches from my trees into the coop for the birds to roost on.
Feeding Your Flock for Optimal Egg Quality
Our chickens eat feed, nothing fancy. They eat cracked corn, too. They also get time to peruse the bounty of my yard and eat whatever fancies them. I think it is all necessary if you are going to raise chickens at home.
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High-Quality Layer Feed: Provides essential proteins, calcium, and nutrients.
Foraging & Supplementing: Letting chickens free-range improves egg flavor and yolk color. Supplement with mealworms and greens. Best treats for chickens.
Grit & Calcium: Helps digestion and strengthens eggshells. Calcium supplements & grit.
Watering & Health Maintenance
Life is good! I don’t wanna waste my time thinking about my chickens water. So, I buy a self waterer to get the job done. This thing I fill a couple times a week and it keeps my birds in fresh water.
««IC’s Pick for Best Chicken Waterer
Automatic Waterers: Ensures a constant supply of fresh, clean water while reducing contamination and labor. Look for heated options in colder climates. Find automatic waterers.
Health Boosters: Apple cider vinegar and probiotics support digestion and immunity. Shop natural health boosters.
Collecting & Enjoying Fresh Eggs
Everything changes when you get that first egg. I still have the picture of Carter with our first egg ever.
With proper care, six hens can produce up to 30-40 eggs weekly. Gather eggs daily and store them properly to maintain freshness. Best egg storage solutions.
Start Your Backyard Chicken Journey Today! You might have to go through the HOA. You might have to go through City Hall. Whatever you gotta go through, go through it. Everything springboards off keeping chickens.
All your self sufficiency goals start to make sense on a Saturday morning when you have a pan of your home grown eggs sizzling in some butter.