How to maintaining A Healthy and successful, safe free ranging birds

Free ranging of chicken or other birds are the easiest way to raise backyard chicken but you really need the right breeds of birds, the right rooster or dominant hen, the right place, the right perimeter fencing(if is in the town), the right hideouts/duck and cover places, and the right attitude. Right breeds/birds birds that are docile, slow-moving, or fat, used to being picked up in the daytime hours, and have no quick reactions to alarm calls and aerial danger flying overhead are just sitting ducks for hawks. Breeds that are naturally good at free-ranging are most of the heritage lines of birds such as Black Australorps, Cockerel, Rocks of all variations, Rhode Island Reds, Buckeyes, Delawares, Wellies, Doms, Leghorns and any other local chicken in your area . These old-timey breeds make good free-range breeds, even when derived from hatchery sources. There are many breeds out there that still have good foraging and free-range tendencies. Contrary to popular lore and belief, white chicken breeds do not specifically attract aerial predation. Any and all birds I have lost to hawks have been those that were grey with a barred pattern feathers~those birds more close in appearance to the hawk's natural prey. And those birds were ranging and living side by side with many white chickens...I've never lost a white chicken to an aerial predator~I range mostly that color and have done so since the age of 10. Right age for free ranging, The younger you can get them out on free-range, the better, particularly if you have older flock members to show them the ropes. Chicks kept in brooders and houses until they are 4 weeks old and older have grown used to sounds and sights in the house and no longer startle as easily, nor are they conditioned to outside sounds and sights. While they are still little chicks they instinctively react to danger signals of shadows overhead, the call of a hawk, fast-moving animals, etc. The older, house-kept chicks can still learn to adapt but they are 4 wks behind on the learning curve and just the right size for a hawk to snatch and run. I turn out my chicks at 2 wks of age to learn about free-ranging with the older flock and am always amazed at how quickly they react to alarm calls and how quickly they find cover. Try an experiment with your new chicks in the brooder...give them an alarm call as if from a rooster and watch them run for cover! They come out of that shell equipped, so make good use of it before they are big enough to attract aerial preds. Don't hatch out chicks in the fall and then try to free-range them~this I have found out from personal experience. The leaves are gone from the underbrush and trees, hawks are migrating through and are hungry, and juvenile chicks are the perfect size for hawk predation. Keep the chick hatching and subsequent free-ranging to the time when most animals have young on the ground, cover is plentiful, and the hawks are not traveling through but have specific territory and young of their own to protect and feed. This is also the time crows have their young and are way more vigilant than we ever could be...and there's nothing a crow pack hates more than a hawk. They will chase them, pecking them and harassing them until they flee, screaming and going as fast as they can. Right rooster or flock master(can be a hen)~ A good rooster will sound the alarm before you even see the threat and will have trained his flock to listen and act on it. He's worth his weight in gold when it comes to free-range. Most will not fight a dog or other 4 legged predators, but the rare few will stand off a hawk, challenge a hawk or sacrifice themselves for the flock. Mostly they will get the flock to shelter when a pred is in the area. A dominant hen can take over this role if she's the right sort. Right place for free-ranging ~ Areas that have plenty of trees, fence rows, shelters, shrubs, etc. where a bird can run and duck under to avoid the stoop of a hawk. If there is a lack of natural shelters or hides, creating them at convenient distances throughout the range can mean life or death for your chickens. Some use pallets up on blocks, some even use pup tents, trampolines, and tarps over range shelters made from cattle panel hoops. Right fence for free-ranging~ The right fence can and will slow down most canine preds from doing a quick grab and snatch of your birds and also keep your birds contained. They don't usually fly over a fence, they fly to the top of a fence and drop down on the other side, so removing any surface that makes for good landing at the top of your fence is imperative~even if you have a 6 ft. high fence. You can string light wire there above the hard top of the fence/gait to discourage the hop-up or extend the fencing materials above the posts and gates by 6-8 in. Chickens, even adult ones, can regularly roost in trees and barn rafters, so a 6 ft. fence does not mean it is going to stop this behavior. Even clipping wing or wings can sometimes not deter a determined escapee. If you have a good fence and keep your birds contained and you still get a neighbor's dog breaching those defenses, you have a leg to stand on when it comes to the legal aspects. A good looking, cheap and effective way to protect suburban birds from 4 legged preds is a simple electronet poultry fence on a solar charger...you can move it to different areas, you can put it away and use it another day, it lasts up to 10 years with good care, you can place it around your coop and not worry about coons, foxes, possums, etc at night and it will shock the vinegar out of even a black bear...and it will definitely keep the chickens in if you leave it energized. Right attitude~ To free-range, one has to accept the risk of possible loss. If done correctly, those losses are very few...I've lost 4 to aerial preds in the last 10 years or more. Three of those were just this past fall(2014) due to me hatching chicks in the fall, right when the hawks are migrating...bad mistake, never to be repeated. I've lost 1 bird at night because she roosted in the barn loft where the dogs could not defend her and got picked off by an owl. All of these were barred rock pattern birds, 3 were due to human error and poor judgment and one was due to poor judgment by the pullet, which is an acceptable loss to me. Don't need stupid birds out on the range. In other words, she was too dumb to live and so didn't get to do so. All in all, these few losses over many years and many birds free-ranged tell me that free-ranging can be done with minimal loss if done properly. Another important attitude to have is that you are going to do everything possible to avoid predation, not just turn out your chickens to the grass with a kiss for luck~ then cry to all and sundry when it goes wrong, telling anyone who free ranges they are putting their birds at risk and are negligent. (This happens more than you could possibly know...people try it once, the wrong way, and then announce it can't be done safely.) Free-ranging can be done and done well for many years if you have the right system in place that ensures your birds are just as safe as they are in a coop and run...and many, many stories of predation start right there~in a coop and run~so these are not fail-proof places to keep chickens. There really is no such thing as a Ft. Knox coop unless it is, indeed, in the middle of a Ft. Knox gold vault. A black bear or a determined pack of dogs can show you in about 5 min. how safe your coop and runs really are. Chickens in a coop and run are like fish in a barrel to predators and there is no possible escape there...at least out on free-range they have a chance to run, fly, duck, and cover and you may not lose all your birds in one devastating attack. bad behavior and cannot perform commands consistently each and every time, this is a breed that will give you trouble with chickens. I'm not saying it can't be done but you set yourself up for failure from the beginning when you try to manage a headstrong, belligerent dog...and then try to get him to understand that no means no, come back, leave it, etc., when there are live prey running around in front of him. A watch dog is not a livestock/farm dog..a watch dog is supposed to bark when there are intruders. That's it. A livestock dog does that and more...they are watching all potential predators for the livestock and are willing to fight for them and even kill for them, they nurture the young livestock and interact with the elders. They sleep and eat with them and will even lick them when they are wounded, will get agitated if they think they are being hurt, and will even break up fights between members of a flock.

SUICIDE ? ANTIDOTES TO SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND ATTEMPTS

Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one’s own death or deliberately killing one’s self. Research shows that approximately 90% of people who have died by suicide were suffering from a mental illness at the time. The most common mental illness reported is depression. Also, many suicides happen impulsively in moments of crisis with a breakdown in the ability to deal with life stresses, such as financial problems, relationship break-up or chronic pain and illness. In addition, experiencing conflict, disaster, violence, abuse (physical, sexual, emotional, verbal, and so on), discrimination or loss and a sense of isolation are strongly associated with suicidal behaviour. Intense sadness and/or hopelessness; not caring about activities that used to matter; withdrawal from family, friends, sports and social activities; substance (drug, alcohol) abuse are some of the common signs of suicide .

 THESE ARE BIBLICAL VIEW OF SUICIDE

The Bible views suicide as equal to murder (self-murder). God is the only one who is to decide when and how a person should die. We should say with the Psalmist, “My times are in thy hand…” (Psalm 31:15). God is the giver of life. He gives, and He takes away (Job 1:21). The Bible mentions six specific people who committed suicide: Abimelech (Judges 9:54), Saul (1 Samuel 31:4), Saul’s armor-bearer (1 Samuel 31:4-6), Ahithophel (2 Samuel 17:23), Zimri (1 Kings.16:18) and Judas (Matthew 27:5).

Suicide,is the taking of one’s own life, is ungodly because it rejects God’s gift of life. No one should presume to take God’s authority upon them to end his or her own life. Some people in Scripture felt deep despair in life. Solomon, in his pursuit of pleasure, reached the point where he “hated life” (Ecclesiastes 2:17). Elijah was fearful and depressed and yearned for death (1 Kings.19:4). Jonah was so angry at God that he wished to die (John.4:8). Even the apostle Paul and his missionary companions at one point were under great pressure that resulted in despair (2 Corinthians 1:8).

However, none of these men committed suicide. Solomon learned to fear God and keep His commandments (Ecclesiastes 12:13). Elijah was comforted by an angel, allowed to rest, and given a new commission (1 Kings.19:5,15). Jonah received admonition and rebuke from God (John.4:1-3,8-11). Paul learned that, although the pressure he faced was beyond his ability to endure, the Lord can bear all things (2 Corinthians 1:9).

ANTIDOTES TO SUICIDAL THOUGHTS/ATTEMPTS

According to the Bible, suicide is a sin (Ex.20:13). Therefore, if you or anyone around you expresses suicidal thoughts or exhibits self-harming behaviours, seek pastoral and professional help. In addition, the following steps may help to rescue anyone having suicidal thoughts.

Take a few moments to consider letting God prove His love to you (Romans 5:5).

Know that Jesus identifies with you in your time of rejection and humiliation (Isaiah 53:2-6).

Jesus Christ endured suffering and shame so that you might have all your sins forgiven and your weight of guilt removed (Romans 5:7-8; Romans 8:32).

Know that Jesus will forgive and repair your brokenness and restore your joy if you humbly receive Him as your Saviour (Isaiah 1:18; 2 Corinthians 5:17).

Be assured that Jesus will always come to your rescue whenever you are in trouble if only you cry to or call upon Him (Psalm 61:1-2; Jeremiah 33:3; Psalm 50:15).

According to the Bible, suicide is a sin (Exodus 20:13). Therefore, if you or anyone around you expresses suicidal thoughts or exhibits self-harming behaviours, seek pastoral and professional help. In addition, the following steps may help to rescue anyone having suicidal thoughts.

Take a few moments to consider letting God prove His love to you (Romans 5:5).

Know that Jesus identifies with you in your time of rejection and humiliation (Isaiah 53:2-6).

Know that Jesus will forgive you and repair your brokenness and restore your joy if you humbly receive Him as your Saviour (Isaiah 1:18; 2 Corinthians 5:17).

What you need to know about Bird Flu

There is a great deal of concern among backyard chicken farmers at the moment. Many people aren't sure how to care for their poultry during this season. In order to keep your chickens disease-free during this endemic period, we have compiled the most recent information on bird flu here. What is bird flu (or avian influenza disease)?​ Wild birds, captive birds, and domestic poultry (backyard poultry includes chickens, geese, ducks, quail, turkeys, pheasants, guinea fowl, and more) can all be affected by bird flu, also known as HPAI H5. There are two kinds of avian influenza: high pathogenicity (HPAI) and low pathogenicity (LPAI). Infected chickens react with flu-like symptoms when infected with the most common, which is low-pathogenicity avian influenza. Birds infected with the very contagious and highly pathogenic avian influenza die in 90% of cases. How Does Bird Flu Spread?​ Feces from migratory waterfowl are likely to have caused the outbreak, Even though avian flu can spread in a variety of ways, it is most commonly transmitted from one flock to another by infected people or equipment. Usually, this occurs when infected birds are moved to a new location and mixed with healthy ones, such as when chickens are auctioned. As a result, the disease spreads quickly and infects other healthy birds. The disease can also spread through clothing or shoes. The virus can survive up to 100 days in manure. Consequently, any clothing with contaminated manure can still transfer it to healthy birds several weeks/months later. The good news is that avian influenza has not been linked to human illness to date. But how does this affect backyard chickens? Can bird flu affect your backyard chickens?​ It's true that bird flu can affect your backyard chickens, which will likely lead to their deaths. Your backyard chickens aren't like the big commercial farms that got wiped out by bird flu. Since December, more than 160 cases of avian flu have been confirmed in 15 states. Around 16 of the 160 cases involved backyard chickens. Ten percent of infected chickens are from backyard flocks, and ninety percent are from commercial farms. All backyard chickens must be humanely euthanized if any test positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza. This prevents the disease from spreading to more flocks. Nearly 50 million chickens and turkeys were euthanized during the 2014-15 bird flu outbreak. This is a map of current H5N1 Bird Flu Detections (as of 4/27/2022) in the United States (Backyard Flocks) - be sure to check the USDA site for regular updates. Bird Flu: What You Need To Know Bird flu symptoms​ Among the difficulties with avian flu is that it can infect healthy chickens that initially show no symptoms of the disease. So healthy chickens can spread the virus, and you won't be able to see the difference between healthy chickens and infected chickens. However, infected chickens are likely to be dead within a few hours of getting highly pathogenic avian influenza. You can only determine whether or not your chickens have the avian influenza virus by having a laboratory test. Bird flu is characterized by the following symptoms:​ A general decline in the desire to move and be active. Blue coloration on the head. Reduced appetite. Watery eyes Huddling and ruffled feathers among flock members Fluid in the comb and wattles Reduced egg production Coughing Bleeding under the skin on the legs Sudden death Make sure your chickens are properly quarantined if they display any of these symptoms. By doing so, the disease can be prevented from spreading. Find out how you can reduce the risk of avian flu in your flock by taking these preventive measures. How to prevent your chickens from getting bird flu​ While it's not possible to 100% prevent your chickens from contracting bird flu, there are some good biosecurity and preventative measures you can take right now to protect your girls. 1) Restriction of wild birds.​ Keeping wild birds away from your chickens is the most effective measure you can take. In other words, you shouldn't feed wild birds or do anything that might entice them to "visit". In the event that you must feed wild birds, do so as far away from your chickens as possible. Afterward, change into clean clothing and wash your hands. As mentioned earlier, wild migratory waterfowl droppings are also a source of avian influenza transmission. You could cover your chicken run with a roof to prevent droppings from falling in. 2) Keep everything clean and tidy​ It is important to keep your chicken coop clean to avoid your chickens getting bird flu. The following steps will help you achieve this: Keep your feeders and waterers clean and do not allow wild birds to access them. All equipment you use with your chickens (shovels, rakes, etc.) should be thoroughly cleaned. Virkon S can be used. Make sure any spilled feed is cleaned up to avoid attracting wild birds. Every week, disinfect the chicken coop thoroughly. This can be accomplished with Virkon S. When handling chickens, wear protective clothing and shoes. You should only wear these clothes and shoes in areas where your chickens are (this means, above all else, that you should not wear them in areas where other flocks of chickens are). 3) Do not share equipment with other flocks.​ While avian influenza is rampant, you should avoid sharing or reusing equipment from your neighbor's chicken flock. Among these are rakes, shovels, chicken troughs, and other chicken equipment. This may seem overboard, but it also includes reusing egg cartons from your neighbors and other friends with chickens. 4) Set a limit on visitors and visits.​ Do not take any of your chickens to poultry events during this period and limit the number of poultry events you attend. Avoid visiting other poultry flocks during this time period as well. To avoid spreading the disease, wash your shoes and clothes thoroughly after visiting another flock or poultry event. To prevent anyone from outside from bringing the disease into your flock, limit the number of people allowed to visit your flock. 5) Do not introduce new chickens into your flock.​ In the early stages of the disease, it is impossible to visually determine whether a chicken is infected. Therefore, you should not add new chickens to your flock. If you are willing to risk the health of your existing flock for 30 days, you can quarantine new chickens to ensure they are not infected. One of the best ways to prevent this disease, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is to avoid contact with other poultry. Nonetheless, if you still want to expand your flock of chickens, make sure you buy your poultry from a reputable dealer who takes cleanliness and hygiene seriously. What if my chickens already have bird flu?​ You should contact the United States Department of Agriculture immediately if you suspect your chicken has avian flu. As an owner of backyard chickens, you should report this immediately and seek professional assistance. Without it being reported, your chickens will be suffering a painful death - euthanizing them would be humane. Frequently Asked Questions​ Below are some of the most common questions about bird flu: Q: What happens if I eat an egg from an infected chicken?​ H5N1-infected chickens do not lay eggs normally. The World Health Organization reports, however, that cooking inactivates bird flu viruses present in eggs laid by a bird infected with bird flu. The egg must be cooked thoroughly. Q: Can I eat chicken infected with the avian flu virus?​ If the infected chicken (or duck) is cooked to a temperature above 70°C or 158°F, and its meat is not raw or red, it should be fairly safe to eat. A chicken infected with disease, however, is not something I would eat. Q: Is there a risk of humans contracting avian flu?​ A human illness due to avian flu has not been reported in the United States. However, other countries have reported complications and deaths. At this time, there is no reason to be concerned about the risk to the general public. The possibility that avian influenza could eventually mutate so that it can be spread from bird to human remains a concern. Therefore, it is imperative that you report any case of avian influenza and remove dead birds from your flock immediately. Q: Should I start my first flock now?​ Get chickens if you want! You should be fine as long as you buy your pullets from a reputable dealer and follow the safety measures outlined above. If you're going to add new chickens to your flock in the foreseeable future, be very careful. Conclusion​ At the moment, it looks like the virus is still spreading. The good news is that so far only a few poultry farmers have been affected. Researchers believe they have found a cure for avian influenza, but it hasn't passed clinical tests yet. It's a good idea to isolate the chickens you take from your property for at least 30 days before releasing them when you go to a fair. By doing this, you'll make sure they're healthy and haven't gotten sick.

CHRISTIANITY AND SOCIALIZATION

Christian can not live in isolation in this present world. However, we must know when and how to draw the line between worldly and acceptable socializations. To socialise simply means" to talk to and do things with other people in friendly way." There are various ways to socializing, ranging from relating with people in the immediate environment, to getting involved in governance and community development activities, Christiansocialisation cuts across recreation, social interaction, cultural activities and political issues. While there way may be diverse opinion on the extent of the involvement of Christians in social issues . it should be noted that moderation should be the watch word. WORLDLY PERSPECTIVES VERSUS BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE OF SOCIALISATION. All Christian must know when and how to draw the line between worldly and and acceptable socializations. For instance, Christian are expected to recreate ,but visiting idol place for recreation should be avoided. Christian should avoid participating or feasting at occasions where idols are celebrated. Modernised carnivals with satanic undertones and other places where Christian integrity is questionable should also be avoided . watching of immoral videos, listening to ungodly music and wearing seductive apparels in the name of socialisation are also ungodly things Christians must avoid when socialite. When getting involved in secular activities , Christians should watch out and abstain from things that can make them compromise their faith. BIBLICAL INSTANCE OF SOCIALISATION Jesus Christ and his disciples attended a wedding ceremony at cana of Galilee. He dined with Zaccheaus in his house. Jesus was also a friend to the family of Lazarus, Jesus paid Mary and Martha a condolence visit. He and his disciples also participated in the feast of Passover. Apostle Paul interacted with diverse classes of people for the sake of the Gospel in order to win soul. Daniel was involved in the political administration of land in his days ( Daniel 1:18-21). Remember, whatsoever we do to socialite should be to the glory of God and edification of the saints. Christian are to show moderation in social interaction. No comments: Post a Comment ‹ › Home View web version

Best ways to keep Your Poultry birds Healthy

 Here are some ways to keep your chickens healthy and happy.

1. Cleaning the coop

Cleaning the coop is very important for keeping happy, healthy chickens. If you don't clean the coop you risk an infestation of lice, mites, and other parasites. Cleaning your coop isn't always easy but it sure is worth i

1 Cleaning of Feeders and Waterers

Cleaning these out around every two weeks is a good idea. If you have a plastic waterer it gets pretty slimy so you will need to scrub that with some soap and water. If you want to put some Apple Cider Vinegar in the water, but only in plastic waterers not in metal. If there is any poop in the water dump it out and give them some fresh water. Make sure your chickens have fresh clean water at all times. The feeders aren't very dirty unless they have been pooped on or have gotten dirt or something in them. Clean them with soap and water. And make sure you rinse them well.

2 Cleaning of the coop

Cleaning the coop is very important for keeping happy, healthy chickens. If you don't clean the coop you risk an infestation of lice, mites, and other parasites. Cleaning your coop isn't always easy but it sure is worth it. Start by getting all the bedding from the floor of the coop and the nesting boxes and dumping it. If any eggs have cracked then make sure to clean up that mess too. Then if needed you can scrub any really soiled spots with some soap and water. Dry it then put some fresh shavings in. Don't Use Cedar. It is toxic. (I use pine shavings) Also if you want to you can use a Garden and Poultry Dust to dust the coop and it keeps out parasites. My chickens sometimes perch in the nesting boxes and poop in them instead of laying eggs in them. Clean out the poop in the nesting boxes every day or when needed. If your chickens (like mine) perch on top of the coop during the day, there will be a lot of poop up there. Scrape it off

3. Healthy and balance  Feeds

Make sure that you store your feed in places where bugs, mice, and rats won't get into. Plastic containers or metal trash cans work fine. Always make sure that the tops are closed and make sure that the feed inside cant get wet and turn moldy. Make sure there is no poop in the feed (like mice and rat poop).

4. Deworming Your Chickens time to time

Always deworm your chickens if you see any worms in their poop or if your chickens have been around other poultry birds  that has worms. There are a lot of different kind of  dewormers, and you can easily find them in your local stores.

 5 Occasionally free-ranging

This is a great way for your chickens to get some nutrition by eating fresh bugs and grass. Also getting out in the fresh air is good for them instead of being cooped up in a run. If you can't free-range your chickens then instead you could move their pen to a fresh patch of grass (if you have a movable coop) you could also buy a pen and use that for them. They love being able to go run around in a new place.

These are just a few of the things to keep your flock healthy. There are a lot of ways to help your flock stay happy and healthy but these are the basics. I'm sure you can find other ways too. Reading and searching for ways to keep your flock healthy is a good idea if you want to make sure they get the care they needed and sometimes you come across something very helpful you didn't expect.

Thank you for checking out this page. If you have any comments or questions feel free to ask me. I would be happy to to awnser

ESSENCES OF MARRIAGE

ESSENCE OF MARRIAGE

  Marriage is honourable institution that believers must prayerfully and watchfully enter into.

Marriage is the oldest human institution. It is older than the church of any human government. Marriage has been ordained of the Lord for companionship and the procreation of the race. Marriage leads to the establishment of homes for children where happiness and joy can reign. Although we live in the days of low moral standards, when marriage vows are easily broken and divorce is considered common, God's law and and standard do not change. Any Christian who breaks his marriage vows is therefore playing with fire.

  WHO SHOULD WE MARRY?

There are several reasons we should marry if we feel led by our standard and by God to do so.

These are some reasons why we should marry.

1. To obey the command of God.

2. For fellowship.

3. For the propagation of the human race

4. To satisfy the sexual and emotional desires that are good, holy, and legitimate, which can only be satisfied in marriage.

5. For partnership, it takes two to make one flesh..

          WHO SHOULD MARRY ?

Godly person should not marry the ungodly. In God's sight, it is unacceptable far a godly person and ungodly on to be united in holy matrimony to be a one flesh. How can the be one when one serve God , in holiness and righteousness, while the other serves idols ?.

1. God command: be ye not unequivocally yoked together with unbeliever.

2. Light has no communion with darkness.

3. Believers has no part with infidel.

4. Righteousness has no fellowship with unrighteousness.

5. Christ has no concord with Balial.

6. God's temple has no agreement with idols.

It is easy then to see that the question that naturally comes to mind is , how can this two set of people who are so different, form a true partnership and have joyful fellowship ? Think deeply of this.

Remember, marriage is an honourable institution that believers must prayerfully and watchfully enter into. It is more of a spiritual affair than just being partnership and have joyful fellowship. Think and  pray before going into that marriage. God will direct your your ways.

How to Raise chicken and benefits of raising Chicken

 

 If you are thinking about keeping chickens, but aren’t convinced – or you already keep chickens and were just looking for something to read! Either way, welcome! Now, back to the topic. When it comes to keeping chickens, especially for those who are just beginning to look into the topic, it can seem daunting, difficult, and maybe even a little stressful. And as appealing as the idea of keeping chickens might be, you may be wondering – is it really worth it? In this article, I’m going to be talking about some different reasons as to why chickens are a great choice, and after looking at the facts, hopefully, it’ll help you make up your mind.

1. Eggs

Yum, eggs! There’s something so appealing about seeing an egg on your breakfast plate and knowing that it came from your own flock.

You can decide if you want to free-range your flock or feed them organic feed. It’s your choice, and it makes it a lot easier than scanning the shelves for the exact carton of eggs you want in the store. Also, to clear up any confusion – no, you don’t need roosters for hens to lay eggs.

Also, if you’ve ever dreamed of having a beautiful collection of eggs in different colors and tones (Think – green, blue, white, pink, brown, cream, and more!) now’s your chance! You can pick out different breeds that lay the egg color you prefer – though the eggs only change by looks, not by taste.

Chicken eggs are a powerhouse of nutrients – Vitamin D, iodine, phosphorus, and lots of other very healthy things – and studies show that chickens that you raise at home in healthy conditions will lay far more nutritious eggs than those raised on commercial factory farms.

Doesn’t it sound amazing to be able to go out to the coop and grab a freshly laid egg for your breakfast? And if you’re stuck at home for some time, you’ll still have fresh food!

2. Low-Maintenance

Seriously. Chickens are surprisingly easy to keep and don’t require much time to take care of. The most time-consuming part of keeping chickens is getting started. (Gathering supplies, building the coop, getting set up, researching – but even that isn’t too hard!)

On an average day, you could spend about 20 minutes taking care of the chickens if you wanted. You’d want to give them feed, fresh water, let them out of their coop in the morning, lock them up at night, and gather eggs. Of course, if you love your chickens like I do, you might find yourself reading books to them and having a chat over a cup of tea with them – but obviously, that’s not mandatory.

Cleaning the coop generally shouldn’t need to be done every day – depending on the size of the coop and amount of your chickens, it could be from once a week to several months – especially if you end up using the deep litter method.

Chickens are also extremely common right now, so it’s super easy to find supplies to raise them – you can even buy entire chicken coops, just make sure the coop is sturdy and good quality before buying!

Chickens are really simple to take care of, and raising them can be extremely satisfying.

3. Inexpensive

That’s right. Chickens aren’t expensive to raise at all. True, if you buy a vast, pre-built coop and luxury items for the flock, things are going to get a little pricy. But in general, keeping chickens can leave you happy and satisfied without ending up with an empty wallet.

Common chicken breeds can cost around $5 per chick at your local feed store, and feed, bedding, and other essentials often don’t cost much – depending on your area, you can easily buy them for less than $20. Even coops – when hand-built and made with recycled materials – can cost less than $100. Or even better, if you have a shed or old playhouse, you can EASILY convert it to the coop for little money.

So, to sum it up (No pun intended), raising these beautiful, egg-laying chickens probably isn’t going to leave you bankrupt – and they’ll be giving you free breakfast. It’s a win-win!

4. Reduce Waste

Think of it – when you’re cooking, you’re probably going to end up with scraps of food – and oftentimes, those scraps are going to end up in the trash.

Why waste something that would be happily enjoyed by your outdoor friends? The chickens! They’ll happily munch on scraps, leftovers, or food that isn’t spoiled – but might look bruised. Just remember not to give them food like pizza too often – that’s not great for their health.

But adding some kitchen scraps to their diet can give them some extra vitamins and nutrients, especially if they don’t free-range. Do make sure to review poisonous foods for chickens, so you don’t accidentally feed them something bad. But if you give them some yummy scraps, your chickens will thank you!

If you take up raising chickens, you’ll not only be having a flock full of fun antics and making you smile every time you see them, but they’ll be helping you reduce waste from the kitchen!

5. Fertilizer

Yep! Not only can you reduce waste by giving your chickens scraps, but if you garden, you can use your flock’s droppings to grow more food for your kitchen, and then those scraps can go to your flock! It’s a never-ending cycle!

Just remember that you shouldn’t put the manure on your plants immediately – you want to let it age first. Mixing it with leaves, straw bedding, and other green compost is a great way to ‘cook’ it.

And if you don’t garden, or you have too much manure for yourself to handle, many gardeners would be happy to take it off your hands!

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Photo Credit: Johnathan Cooper from Shutterstock

6. Pest Control

Many chickens are great at pest control. They love patrolling the area, searching for tasty bugs to grab, which is beneficial for all of us.

Some pests that they especially like are ticks, mosquitos, ants, slugs, and more! So, if you have anything like slugs ruining your garden, chickens just might be the way to go. They’ll be happy to take down some of those pests for you! Silkies and bantam breeds are especially known for their slug-hunting skills!

7. Sustainable Living

There’s something about being able to walk out to the coop, gather eggs from your very own flock that you’ve raised, and then use those eggs to provide a nourishing meal for yourself or others that is truly unique and rewarding.

The fact that you were able to raise those chicks and be able to provide some of your own food is eye-opening. What could you do next? If you live on enough land, chickens can be the gateway to goats, bees, ducks, and more. Or you could start to learn more about gardening so that you could grow more food. Or maybe raising your own little flock is enough, just knowing that you don’t depend completely on the grocery store for all of your food is really…uplifting.

Chickens can be used for more than just eggs, too. They can produce manure for the garden, and if you’re interested in raising your own meat, chickens are a starting point that many will begin with.

When it comes right down to it, being able to raise your own food, eggs, meat, or more, is a beautiful, wonderful thing to accomplish.

8. Education

Chickens are a great way to learn where your food comes from and learn more about the animals that you might encounter in everyday life, or the products from these animals that you commonly use.

If you have children, it’s also a great opportunity to teach them responsibility by letting them take part in the chicken-tending. Collecting eggs, refilling feeders, and more are all great ways for them to learn about caring for the world around them and to be dependable.

9 Pets

Nowadays, chickens as pets have been on a rise. And for some good reasons, too!

They’re easier to care for and less expensive than cats or dogs, and they’re the pet that makes breakfast – I say that’s a pretty neat combo! Chickens are the type of pet that seems to always make you smile and have funny little antics that often will leave you laughing. It’s also extremely peaceful to watch them, and many chickens will happily jump up into your lap for some snuggle time. Some breeds, like the Silkie, are particularly great for pets, with their soft, down-like feathers.

Chickens are also great for therapy and becoming more and more popular for this purpose. Chicken therapy has been found to be a great success for people with anxiety, depression, autism, and loneliness, giving people a sense of purpose, order, and self-worth. I personally have found great comfort in chickens and consider them my “emotional support animals.”

In my opinion, chickens make a wonderful choice for pets, and they have some great qualities that make them a great option, like the ease of caring for them and their bonus of laying eggs.

Lastly, 

Chickens are great animals, they’re friendly, hardy, easy to care for, and are multi-purpose – whether you’re interested in keeping them as pets, livestock, or both, they’re a great choice to have around. There are many more reasons as to why to keep chickens, but these are my main reasons. So, do you think chickens are the right animals for you? If so, there are many resources for keeping chickens, like books, websites, and of course, here on BYC! Keeping chickens is not only fun and easy but extremely beneficial.