There is a growing trend in our society to get a better understanding of where our food comes from. For some, this could mean buying organic produce or looking a bit closer at the ingredient lists on food. For others, it means taking matters into their own hands.
I am one of those others. Ever since I met my health-freak hubby, I have become much more interested (and concerned with) what I put into my body. Food is fuel. I intend to live a long, happy life, and what better way to better my odds than by focusing on the fuel that keeps me going.
I started small by buying more fresh produce and looking for convenient food with only ingredients I could pronounce. A few Netflix documentaries later and I was buying organic, non-GMO produce and grass-fed, free-range meat. High quality food comes at a price, and that price was not sitting well with my bank account.
Believe it or not, but the eggs were really killing my bank account. We eat a lot of eggs in this house-about 3 dozen a week. With two growing boys and a weight training hubby, eggs are an easy source of protein! Our free range eggs were adding up to almost $100.00 per month! Crazy, I know. But it is hard to go back to the cheep stuff when you can literally see the quality difference in the yokes.
I mean look at the difference in those two yokes! Can you guess which one is from our home chickens and which one is the cheep, store-bought one? The rich yoke on the left (from our chickens) is bursting with nutrients, while the pale yoke on the right looks malnourished in comparison.
Needless to say, we decided the nutritious option was the best option.
Doubtless, if you are reading this at all, you already know home-grown eggs are amazing. But are they worth the work? That is up to you. In my opinion, they most definitely are! Before you take the leap, here are some key points to consider.
THINGS TO CONSIDER:
WILL YOU LIKE THE TASTE?
This seems like a silly thing to consider, I mean an egg is an egg, right? Wrong! The first time I ate a “real” egg, I didn’t like it. The flavor was so bold and rich! However, after a small adjustment period, I grew to love the enhanced flavor. If you are on the squeamish side, test out some high quality eggs from someone who raises their own chickens. If you decide you won’t want to eat the fresh eggs, then whats the point?
DO YOU HAVE THE SPACE?
Chickens don’t need much space, but they do need some. If you live in an apartment, chances are chickens won’t be for you (at least not until you find the outdoor space). But anyone with a bit of a yard can raise backyard chickens. I live on about 1/4 of an acre, giving me plenty of chicken space! I keep my six chickens in an enclosed run with about 120 square feet of space. As a general rule, each chicken needs about 4 square feet in the coop and 10 square feet in the run.
I think this is a bit small, so I give my chickens extra room in both the coop and the run. I also let my chickens wander the yard anytime I am out and about (I used to let them wander the yard all the time, but soon got annoyed with cleaning up the poop and fixing the bark in my poor flowerbeds).
The coop and run take up a small amount of space in the yard, leaving plenty of room for other activities. However, just because you have the space doesn’t mean you get to use the space.
ARE CHICKENS ALLOWED IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD?
Depending on where you live, you may or may not be allowed to keep backyard chickens. Four or more chickens on an acre or less is considered by most to be “livestock.” Depending on your location in city limits or your neighborhood home owners association rules, you may be limited on whether you are allowed to have chickens or how many chickens you can own. Of course, there are loopholes (like keeping up to three chickens as “pets”). Each city and neighborhood is different, so before making the commitment to own chickens, check the rules first!
ARE YOU READY FOR THE COMMITMENT?
Chickens are pretty low maintenance. I change their water and fill their food about once or twice a week. And since I use the deep litter method, I clean their coop about twice a year. And yes, collecting the eggs is an added chore, but it never feels like a hassle. If you have kids, chances are they will be begging to collect them each morning (which means you don’t have to). They are easy to maintain, but chickens usually live long past their laying period. After they are done laying, what will you do with them? Keep them as pets? Give them to a farm? Turn them into a roast dinner? It is up to you, but before you make the leap, you need to have a plan in the works.
IN THE END…
The decision is up to you. If you really want to raise chickens, you will find a way to make it work. Chickens are a great stepping stone towards becoming more self-sufficient (something I am increasingly interested in). They connect you back to nature and give you a greater appreciation for your food. Not to mention watching my chickens stroll in the backyard makes me (and my family) stupid happy.
Source: CATHERINECONTINUED | Considering becoming a mammal chicken.
