Feeding Chickens for Health and the Best Eggs
Most people raising chickens for the first time over-complicate their needs…wasting money on fancy gadgets and equipment they don’t need. Backyard chicken farming is relatively simple. Your birds’ only needs are food, shelter, and water. While poultry waterers and feeders are nice, they aren’t necessary; anything deep enough to avoid tipping and the chickens walking through the feed and water works. Don’t solely rely on commercial chicken feed when feeding your chickens. Besides being the least healthy food, a green diet is better for them. Those beautiful, large orange yolks, synonymous with fresh eggs, don’t come from a grain-based diet. You need healthy chickens to eat a healthy diet to produce healthy chicken meat and eggs. I only feed my chickens commercial food during the winter if the natural source is scarce. Chickens are natural foragers, hunting insects, worms, and greens. Even if you can’t let your chickens forage on their own, you can supply them with the varied diet they need by feeding them leftover scraps from the kitchen. 5 Essential Dietary Ingredients Meat Protein – Protein is essential to egg production. I do not recommend feeding your chickens meat as this tends to turn your chickens cannibalistic. When chickens forage, they eat worms and bugs, which are high in protein. Raising free-range chickens is not always an option, especially in the winter. Because of this, I provide them with a culinary delight of various types of insects. I pick tomato worms in the summer and give them to my flock. They are crazy for these fat green worms and run around the pen, delightfully squealing. In the winter, I buy mealy worms and crickets. I also provide them with fish oil and fish meal throughout the year. They not only love it, but it’s also good for them. Grass and Hay – I know this sounds strange, but believe me, it’s a win-win situation. I have a large penfor my small flock and my compost pile in one corner. Why do the backbreaking work of turning your compost? It takes almost a year before you can use the compost this way. With chickens, your compost will be ready in about 4-6 months, and your fertilizer will be mixed in. Chickens make fast workof a compost pile, plus it’s good for them. Dried whole Corn and Grains – I use this sparingly, but it is an excellent supplement to their diet and contributes to the richness of the yolk. Greens – The secret to nutrient-rich, delicious eggs is greens. This includes lettuce, beet greens, kale, or whatever green scraps you have in your kitchen. I’m a dumpster diver, so whenever I see the markets and stores throwing away vegetables, I gather them for my girls. I also beg scraps from my neighbors; I’m known as the “vegetable bag lady.” Calcium—Calcium is essential for chicken health and egg quality. No…I don’t put calcium pills down their throats; I feed them eggshells. If you talk to other backyard chicken farmers, you will find many different opinions about this. However, everyone agrees that laying hens need lots of calcium. A lack of calcium is terrible for your hens and causes thin-shell eggs. Water – I find it interesting that what is the most critical feeding aspect for a flock is rarely discussed. You can provide your chickens with all the high-priced, fancy food you want, but if enough fresh water is unavailable, your chickens won’t eat. This results in egg production loss since half the egg is made of water. Make sure fresh water is always available. In the winter, place water inside the coop to avoid freezing, and increase your water monitoring in the summer. Birds quickly dehydrate without enough water. Many people will tell you grit is a necessary part of your chicken’s diet. We don’t buy grit because the chickens get all they need from the soil. If you want to feed your chickens grit, go ahead, but it isn’t necessary. What better way to use fresh eggs than in our Farm Fresh Breakfast Burrito? Stuffed full of fresh eggs, beans, and gooey cheese, this delicious dish will please the entire family. Feeding Your Hens Eggshells Because your hens use a lot of calcium to lay eggs, it’s important to add calcium to their diet. Most local and online feed stores carry oyster shell as a calcium supplement. But, if you’re like me, you prefer sustainable living, which includes caring for your chickens naturally. This is why I use eggshells instead of buying calcium supplements. Feeding chickens eggshells is a practice dating back a few hundred years. Most premixed feed rations contain added calcium. However, if much of their food is table scraps and foraging finds, then youneed to add calcium to their diet. Some people fear feeding their flock eggshells will turn them into egg eaters. In my 20+ years of raising chickens, I’ve only had two egg eaters that I can remember, and I don’t think it was because of feeding them eggshells. If that were true, all my hens would be egg eaters. Usually, chickens eat their eggs because they lack calcium. But, as a disclaimer, anything is possible, and some chickens may have the “mad egg-eating” disease. However, I think that is unlikely. The feeding process is as simple as tossing the used shells in your scrap bucket with their other goodies. I prefer a different method, but it’s whatever works best for you. My process: I collect the shells as I use the eggs, smashing them down and storing them in a bucket I leave in the pantry. Once the bucket is halfway full, I spread the half-crushed shells on a baking sheet and bake at 350° F for 8 minutes. While baking kills any lingering bacteria, I bake the shells because toasting them dries out the membrane, making them easier to crush into tiny pieces. If I’m in a hurry, I skip this step. Once cooled, crush the toasted shells into tiny
10 Most Asked Chicken Questions
I love talking about our chickens. Let’s face it: chickens are essential for farm-fresh eggs and are interesting and fun. Lately, I’ve noticed more interest in hearing about the crazy antics of my chickens. They especially love Bruno, our attack rooster, named after judge Bruno on Dancing with the Stars for his “colorful and loud” personality. Sadly, Bruno is no longer with us, but his stories live on. We couldn’t ask for better security patrol; the neighborhood dogs still don’t try to dig under our fence.Many people who love our stories are raising their own backyard flock. It’s not just the funny stories driving more urban adventurers into backyard chicken farming. The healthy benefit of eating eggs from their own hens and living a more humane lifestyle is also a driving reason. Most people raising chickens do intensive research into the positives and negatives of being a backyard chicken farmer. Unfortunately, many never try because of the misplaced belief that chickens are strictly farm animals, needing lots of space, feed, and supplies not readily available. In reality, just about any backyard will do; if it’s big enough for a dog, it’s big enough for chickens. As for the supplies, if you don’t have a farm supply store near you, most poultry supplies, including the chicken coop and food, are available to order online, 24 hours a day. Before you decide to welcome these fun and fascinating animals into your yard, there is some general knowledge needed for becoming a backyard chicken farmer. There are two experts in the poultry world, with books I highly recommend: Storey’s Guide to Raising Chickens by Gail Damerow and The Chicken Health Handbook by Gail Damerow and Jeanne Smith DVM. Both books are a must for any backyard chicken farmer. Here are the top 10 chicken questions I get asked most often. 1. Do you need a rooster for the hens to lay eggs? Answer: No. This is the biggest misconception about chickens. A rooster is never necessary for your hens to lay eggs. If you want chicks, you need a rooster to fertilize the eggs, but the girls don’t need the boys to produce those yummy fresh eggs. 2. How many eggs will my chickens lay, and how often? Answer: This depends on several reasons. First is the breed of the chicken. Some hens are bred for egg production, and if the chickens are healthy, they may lay an egg daily. However, this is not the norm, and you can usually expect 4-5 eggs per chicken each week or one egg every two days. A good rule of thumb is that three hens will give you two eggs daily. The hen’s age is another reason. Most hens start laying at 4-6 months of age, with their first year being the most productive, with the egg amount decreasing each year after that. Finally, the seasons have a significant impact on egg production. During the winter, when there are fewer daylight hours, the number of eggs decreases drastically, while the summer months are more productive. 3. How long do chickens live? Answer: When shielded from predators, many standard chicken breeds are hardy animals and have a life expectancy of 8 to 15 years. However, it is rare that a chicken lives for 15 years. 4. How much care do chickens need? Answer: Chickens are low maintenance, making them an ideal pet. With proper housing, chickens are easier to care for than dogs and have minimal requirements. 5. How much do chickens cost and where can I get them? Answer: Baby chicks cost $3-$5 each, females being on the higher end of the scale while the fancy breeds are more. If you want grown hens, you will have to source them locally. Grown hens average between $20 and $50 each. You can get baby chicks at your local feed store or order them online. One of my favorite places to order baby chicks is the Cackle Hatchery. They have the largest selection of chicks to choose from, and I have always received healthy, beautiful baby chicks from them. I believe you can’t go wrong with this company. 6. What do I need for my new chicks? Answer: Your new chicks must stay warm and cared for until after the first four weeks. A brooder with a single infrared lamp is the best and most economical choice. Use a thermometer to keep the area a constant at 95° F. Use an inexpensive, 18” high corrugated paper chick corral for the pen. After 4-5 weeks, your chicks are ready to roam their new outside enclosure. As an Amazon Associate, I earn commission from qualifying purchases which helps with website upkeep. 7. When will my hens start laying? Answer: Normally, your hens start laying between 5 and 6 months of age and based on the breed, they will lay roughly 200 to 300 eggs a year. My favorite layers are Rhode Island Reds and the Buff Orpington for their wonderful brown eggs. The White Leghorns are prolific layers as well, laying large white eggs. For my pick of the top 5 egg layers, see the post Best Laying Hen Breeds. 8. Which are healthier and tastier, brown eggs or white eggs? Answer: Another frequent question I hear. The egg color makes no difference in taste or health benefits. However, what you feed your chickens and how they are kept has a big effect on the taste and health benefits of eggs. Research proves that if your chickens roam freely in your yard, your eggs are higher in Omega-3 fatty acids and lower in cholesterol. Even if your chickens can’t roam free, the eggs are still healthier and better tasting than store bought eggs. 9. Does having chickens save me money? Answer: This is a big, resounding No. Some people decide to raise chickens for the perceived money savings. There are many benefits to having your own chickens, but saving money is not one of them. Considering the feed, water,
Raising Chickens For Food
I remember when raising chickens was a practice reserved for rural areas, far from the hustle of city life. But times have changed. Nowadays, seeing a chicken coop nestled in a suburban backyard isn’t just a novelty; it’s a growing trend. This movement is more than fresh eggs for breakfast. The bigger picture is a desire for sustainable living and the allure of food independence. I’ve seen an uptick in urban and suburban dwellers turning to backyard chicken farming. It makes sense, given the increased concern for sustainability and the desire for self-sufficiency. Whether it’s a reaction to supply concerns, the high cost and low quality of food we see now, or the enjoyment many of us get from farming, chickens are part of family life. The benefits of raising chickens reach beyond the kitchen table. There’s the joy of watching them scratch and peck in the backyard, the reduction of kitchen waste thanks to their omnivorous appetites, and the educational opportunities for children. It’s about connecting with the food we eat and understanding the responsibilities of caring for another living creature. As you engage with the idea of chickens as part of a sustainable lifestyle, consider how these feathered friends impact the environment. In the next section, ‘The Environmental Footprint: Chickens as Eco-Friendly Companions,’ we’ll explore how chickens contribute to eco-friendly living, becoming charming little allies in our quest for a greener world. The Environmental Footprint: Chickens an Eco-Friendly Food Source I think a lot about the carbon footprint of our food. By raising backyard chickens, your eggs travel mere feet instead of hundreds of miles to reach your kitchen with store-bought eggs. That alone substantially trims down your carbon output. You’re raising chickens and nurturing a more sustainable food system at home. Chickens pull double duty. They are natural gardeners, pecking away at pesky bugs and reducing the need for chemical pesticides. I consider their manure black gold for gardens, packed with nutrients that chemical fertilizers can’t match. Integrating chickens into garden care promotes a balanced ecosystem and enriches the soil for growing your food. After our spring coop and run cleaning, we pile up the manure and start a new compost pile, which sits for a year before being used in the following year’s garden. Compost is easier to make than you think, using the manure and green and brown scraps from the yard, house, and kitchen. We have a simple formula, which I will share soon in a spring cleaning and gardening post. Small-scale, responsible chicken farming can significantly enhance biodiversity. Your backyard flock supports a broad range of plant and insect life, contrasting the monoculture landscapes of industrial farms. It keeps soils alive and teeming with the microorganisms essential for a thriving ecosystem. Chickens for Health and Nutrition I want to highlight how raising backyard chickens can massively improve the food quality on your table. You’re in control, which means you know exactly what your chickens eat, how they live, and how they are treated. When raised in your backyard, chickens aren’t subjected to the conditions of large-scale farms. They’re typically healthier, and so are their eggs. Their diet can be free of the antibiotics and growth hormones widely used in industrially farmed poultry. Raising chickens in your backyard produces more natural and nutritious eggs and meat for you and your family. Your chickens can feast on various foods, including grains, vegetables, and insects, contributing to their eggs’ rich flavor and nutritional value. This diversified diet produces eggs with yellower yolks, more omega-3 fatty acids, and a fresher overall taste than store-bought eggs. For meat, chickens that exercise and roam freely produce leaner meat with a better texture. The consumption of fresh eggs and poultry meat from chickens you’ve raised can also affect your and your family’s health in subtle ways. According to numerous studies, the difference in nutrient content is more significant than you might think. This translates to your meals being packed with higher-quality protein, vitamins, and nutrients, making each dish tastier and better for your well-being. Considering the health benefits helps you smoothly transition to thinking about how you’ll start your flock. The following section will provide actionable guidance to help you understand the essentials of chicken farming. From setting up your coop to laying the groundwork for healthy, productive chickens, you’ll be poised to enjoy the rewards of raising chickens responsibly and sustainably. Getting Started with Raising Backyard Chickens So, you’re interested in becoming a chicken farmer. This commitment caters to producing your own food and contributes toward a healthier planet and lifestyle for you and your family. Before getting started, check your local laws. Zoning regulations differ widely, and you must ensure your chicken farming plan aligns with local ordinances. If zoning laws permit raising backyard chickens, and if you live under a Home Owner’s Association, you must check with them before starting your backyard flock. Selecting a chicken breed comes next. Climate tolerance, egg production, and temperament should guide your choice. For my top pick for egg-laying chickens, check out my article, Best Laying Hen Breeds. Creating a chicken-friendly environment is crucial. Your chickens need a secure coop to protect them from predators and space to roam. You can find some great tips for setting up your chicken coop and run in my article Chicken Coop Necessities. Your chickens’ health and happiness are tightly linked to their care. Establish a routine for feeding, cleaning, and monitoring their health. Regular vet visits can catch issues early. Understand that raising chickens is a learning curve. Reach out to local farming communities or online forums for advice when you need it. As always, you can reach out to me here in the comments with any questions or send me an email to info@thebackyardchickenfarmer.com. While you get a lot of enjoyment with backyard chicken farming, be prepared for the reality of what it entails. Raising chickens requires time, money, and effort. But remember, the rewards of fresh eggs, a happier garden, and
The 5 Best Meat Chicken Breeds
Are you thinking about raising meat chickens in a backyard and wondering which meat chicken breeds are best? With the growing popularity of raising backyard chickens comes an increasing interest in raising meat chickens. Dual-purpose chickens, those yielding both eggs and meat, are the most popular. But many backyard chicken farmers are turning to meat chickens for their better flavor. Like egg layers, a different result comes with different meat chicken breeds. Choosing the best meat chicken breeds depends on what you’relooking to achieve. Best Breeds for Raising Meat Chickens in a Backyard Broilers Broilers are chickens raised specifically for meat. They grow much faster than egg-laying hens or dual-purpose breeds. Most broilers have a fast growth rate, high feed conversion ratio, and low activity levels. In five weeks, broilers can reach a dressed weight of 4-5 pounds. Usually raised for meat and egg production, dual-purpose breeds are smaller with a slower growth rate. Cornish Cross The Cornish Cross is an excellent, fast-growing broiler. Harvest time for a 4-pound broiler usually is 7 to 8 weeks. Their body makeup is superb, with broad breasts, large legs and thighs, and rich yellow skin. Jersey Giant Originating in the United States, this bird was developed to replace the turkey. A purebred chicken, the Giant’s weight averages 11-13 pounds. Jersey Giants grow slower than other meat birds, about six months to full maturity, making them undesirable to the commercial industry. While initially a meat chicken, today, the Giant is prized as a dual-purpose bird, laying extra-large brown eggs. Heritage / Heirloom When describing Heritage chickens, the words heirloom, old-fashioned, and antique come to mind. The American Poultry Association began defining these breeds in 1873, setting standards for birds as being well adapted to various climates, hardy and long-lived, and reproducing at a rate to provide a protein source to the growing nation. As chicken breeding became industrialized, fast-growing hybrids replaced these breeds. Today, more than three dozen chicken breeds are in danger of extinction. To avoid irreversible loss caused by the end of a breed, The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy sets standards for marketing these as Heritage. I love Heritage breeds, preferring them to the newer, fast-growing breeds. They are large, meaty chickens, and many also produce many eggs. I usually buy my Heritage breeds online since they are harder to find locally than more popular breeds. Heritage Chicken Breeds: Campine, Chantecler, Crevecoeur, Holland, Modern Game, Nankin, Redcap, Russian Orloff, Spanish, Sultan, Sumatra, Yokohama, Andalusian, Buckeye, Buttercup, Cubalaya, Delaware, Dorking, Faverolles, Java, Lakenvelder, Langshan, Malay, Phoenix, Ancona, Aseel, Brahma, Catalana, Cochin, Cornish, Dominique, Hamburg, Houdan, Jersey Giant, La Fleche, Minorca, New Hampshire, Old English Game, Polish, Rhode Island White, Sebright, Shamo, Australorp, Leghorn- Non-industrial, Orpington, Plymouth Rock , Rhode Island Red – Non-industrial, Sussex, Wyandotte , Araucana, Iowa Blue, Lamona, Manx Rumpy (Persian Rumpless), Naked Neck (Turken). Preferred Heritage Meat Chicken Breeds: Delaware—A heavy-bodied bird, the male can weigh up to 8.5 pounds and the female 6.5 pounds. Originating from the U.S., Delaware is hardy in heat and cold and matures quickly. The meat is delicious, and the hens lay jumbo eggs. Delawares have calm and friendly dispositions. Dorking – This relatively calm bird is non-aggressive and does well around children and small dogs. Another dual-purpose chicken, theDorking is a superior table fowl with tender flesh, meaty breasts, and wings. It is a productive winter layer, providing a steady egg supply when other breeds are not laying. Good broody hens and excellent mothers stay with their chicks much longer than other breeds. Buckeye is the only American breed exclusively created by a woman, developed by Mrs. Nettie Metcalf of Warren, Ohio. This dual-purposebreed is very cold weather hardy and adapts to various living conditions. However, they are very active and do not do well in confined spaces, adapting best to free-range. Hens lay medium-sized brown eggs and weigh an average of 6.5 pounds; roosters average 9 pounds. Conclusion When you plan to raise meat chickens in a backyard, consider your backyard space and setup and the time you must devote. You can use most backyard chicken breeds for meat chickens, but each breed differs in flavor and meat texture. The backyard chicken breeds in this article are suitable for the table. Check out our article Raising Meat Chickens for more information about meat chickens.
Two Faces of Raising Chickens
Raising farm animals like chickens are not so common in citified places. But many people just want to have a feel of the suburban life and recreate this by having their small chicken farms in their backyards.
Raising Show Chickens
Raising Show Chickens and What I Need to Know Backyard chicken farmers raise chickens for various reasons with two of the most common being eggs and pets. However, with the rising popularity of raising show chickens, we need more information about this hobby. First Things First My best advice to anyone wanting to raise show chickens is: research—research—research. Besides reading articles on line and in poultry publications, talk to your local extension and 4-H offices. First you need to find out where the shows are and what criteria you’re required to meet. Show chicken judging uses various criteria and fixed standards for the breed includes: [ultimatetables 3/] Show Chicken Breeds There are many show breeds to choose from, but I am only going to list five of the more popular ones. Start with this list and research the judging criteria for these chickens. Roosters are normally chosen for show poultry because of their feather and coloring characteristics. For beginners, start out with only one or two breeds and don’t add another until you gain experience with these. This is the best advice I can give you yet many ignore it, eventually setting themselves up for failure. Silkie – Fluffy, silky feeling plumage, dark blue flesh and earlobes, and five toes on each foot, makes this chicken a favorite at poultry shows. They come in several colors including, white, buff, black, gray, blue, red, and mottled variations. They are the most docile with a calm and friendly temperament, making them ideal pets and show chickens. Something to consider before deciding to show Silkies is their high maintenance, making them less ideal for the beginner. Polish – Known for the crest of feathers adorning their head, the Polish were originally kept as egg layers but today are primarily kept as show birds. These tame chickens are timid and easily frightened because of limited vision caused by the crest which covers most of their head. This limited vision can impact their temperament. Houdan – Native to France, the Houdan is an attractive bird with many distinctive features. Like the Polish, the Houdan has a crested head and five toes. Their earlobes and wattles are small and hidden by the feathered bearding and crest. They come in two colors, white and mottled (black with white spotting). Silver Spangled Hamburg – This is a beautiful show bird with trim, stylish, and delicate features. They are good flyers and active, making them less suitable to confinement. As well as the silver spangled, Hamburgs are found in gold spangle and silver pencil color variations. Seabright – A true bantam, or miniature bird with no large version of the breed, is a beautiful ornamental chicken. Seabright is strictly an ornamental chicken, and boasts a specialist club for enthusiasts. The plumage on all Seabrights has lacy black edges on a silver white or dark gold base. Their legs are unfeathered with slate-blue skin while their combs, earlobes, and wattles are bright red. Seabrights are tame but males may become protective around hens, possibly turning on their owners however, this can happen with any rooster breed. My best advice if you plan to raise show chickens—always buy chicks and buy from a knowledgeable and reputable breeder. Hatcheries breed for quantity and their birds are not show quality. Your local extension and 4-H offices can help you find a breeder. Picking Your Show Chicken When deciding which of your chickens to show, good fit stock is essential. Always look for: Overall fitness and condition—sound plumage and good physical traits. Conformation or shape—comply with breed standards. Color—comply with breed standards. [callout title=Tip]When showing chickens, especially for children, it’s always good to have backup show birds. Sometimes, molting season comes during a show so backup birds of the same breed can fill in.[/callout] Family Fun As the cost of living rises, more people are looking for alternative family fun, moving away from expensive movies, concerts and other high priced events. With the rise in urban backyard chicken farming, raising show poultry is quickly gaining popularity. Raising show chickens is fun for the whole family and gives parents and kids some all-important bonding time. It’s a great, inexpensive hobby with competitions on the local, state, and national level. If raising backyard chickens interests you, then you’ll love the striking plumage, bright colors, and even some of the weird features of show chickens. Look for future posts about raising show chickens including how to bathe your chickens. Visit The “Chick” Boutique.
Raising Chickens as Pets
When you consider getting a pet, your first thought is a cat or dog. However, keeping chickens as pets is growing in popularity as people become aware of the advantages to having a small, backyard flock. Advantages to Pet Chickens Chickens are fun and educational: more interesting than TV. Like other pets, chickens have varying personalities. They provide hours of enjoyment as they interact with each other and their surroundings. Did you know you can buy diapers for your chickens so they can come in the house? Many breeds are easy to manage and tamed by hand-feeding and handling regularly. Some roosters, which many associate with aggressiveness, are tamable with proper handling. I don’t recommend getting a rooster until you’ve had chickens for at least a year and are comfortable with handling them. Besides the entertainment and educational value, chickens offer several advantages to their upkeep. Inexpensive—Chickens cost less than you think. Your biggest expense is setting up to house your chickens and that can be done relatively cheaply if you use your imagination. Follow our progress as we build a new coop and pen for $200 or less. As well as kitchen scraps, chickens need feed. Most feed costs between $10 and $15 for a 50 lb bag. Depending on how many chickens you have, one 50 lb bag may last for one month. I also provide mealy worms as treats in the wintertime. You can get a container for around $5. Chicks range from $3 to $10 and $10 to over $50 for grown chickens. The price of chickens depends on what you’re raising them for. I have seen grown show roosters go for $50, but for the average backyard chicken farmer, your chicks will cost around $5 each for good laying hens. I buy online from eFowl. They are located in California and have great service and healthy chicks. I just received a shipment of 15 new chicks: Orpingtons and Ameracaunas. They’re healthy, adorable and so much fun. Shipping is free for orders of 25 or more and only $9.99 for less than 25 chicks. Eggs—The best known advantage to raising chickens as pets is their eggs. What other pets do you know that feed their owners? Farm fresh eggs from chickens allowed to forage provide healthier eggs with lower cholesterol and higher amounts of Omega-3s. Allergies—If you can’t own a dog or cat because of fur and dander allergies, consider chickens. Pest Control—If you try to avoid chemicals and toxins for pest control, then chickens are your best bet. Chickens love bugs and quickly rid your yard of unwanted pests. It’s fun watching them play tag with their latest find; as soon as one drops the bug, the next one has it and the chase is on again. Natural Garbage Disposal—Don’t throw leftovers and out-of-date food away. Chickens will eat almost anything: vegetables, fruits, melons, greens, and bread to name a few. Never give them meat, eggs or anything moldy. My chickens are especially fond of beet greens (cooked) and melons. Mow Your Lawn—Do you have a spot you hate to mow? Let your chickens forage in different areas you want weed control; they’ll take it bare dirt for you. The Black Gold of the Chicken World—Chicken poop is the best fertilizer for gardens. Properly composted poop provides most of the nutrients your soil needs. We compost in the chicken pen. We place scraps, grass clippings, leaves, etc. in one corner and by the end of the day the pile is flat. We continue adding clippings and food stuff throughout the week then on the weekends, we rake the entire pen move everything outside in our composting pile that is close by then start all over. Chicken poop needs to set for at least six months before using or you will burn your plants. Start your compost pile as soon as your chickens move outside and you will have a nice fertilizer by the next growing season. Great Hobby—You can’t go wrong with raising chickens for a hobby. It’s easy and helps teach children pet ownership responsibility. Children and adults find interest in raising show chickens. There are many clubs and organizations offering competitions. It’s a hobby the whole family will enjoy. The breed of show chicken depends on your interest and the age of the person handling the chicken. If your children are going to show them, I suggest small breeds like the Bantam Cochin. If you have fancy in mind, try some of the Japanese breeds. Always practice proper sanitation and hand washing when handling chicks or any other pets. My Top Pet Breed Recommendations Not all chicken breeds make good pets. However, some are friendly and if well cared for may offer you 8 to 12 years of companionship. I advise avoiding roosters until you become an experienced backyard chicken farmer. In some breeds, roosters are aggressive and can hurt you or the other chickens in your flock. Ameraucana/Easter Egger This is the first of my two favorite pet breeds. Thought to have been developed in the United States, much of their popularity comes from laying blue or blue-green colored. Their non aggressive behavior makes them excellent pets for children. Ameraucanas are sometimes confused with the Araucana. Both have pea combs and red earlobes and lay blue/blue-green colored eggs. The Ameraucana is a different breed and recognizable by their facial muffs and beard, full tails, and slate or black legs. Ameraucanas come in large and bantam varieties with eight officially recognized colors by the American Poultry Association: White, Black, Blue, Blue Wheaten, Wheaten, Buff, Red Brown, and Silver. Most hatcheries only offer a mixed color selection. The ones that do offer a color choice are slightly more expensive. A full-size hen weighs 5 ½ pounds while a bantam hen only weighs 26 ounces. The large cock weighs in at 6 ½ pounds compared to its bantam counterpart at only 30 ounces. Orpington Named after Orpington, England the Orpington chicken is kept for