Should We Adopt Chickens?

For quite some time I have been toying with the idea of getting chickens.  I love the idea of having baby chicks around to help my children learn responsibility and how nature works to provide for us. This, however, is a big decision.  Sure, little chicks are cute and having fresh eggs would be divine, but don’t forget that chickens are a lot of work. While they are usually quite content pecking away on their own, they still need a lot of care. Here are several things to consider before getting chickens.

1. Does your residential area allow chickens? Many areas, like homes in the city or neighborhoods, do not allow chickens. You could be fined and forced to remove them.

2. What are you going to do with them when they are done laying eggs?

3. What climate do you live in? Cold climates mean harsh winters when your chickens will need extra care.

4. Do you have time to keep their pens clean, water fresh and food available?

5. What do I need to make them a home? You will need a place for them to lay their eggs and get out of bad weather.

6. Will your chickens be free range or have a chicken pen? How will you keep them in your yard and not your neighbors?

 7. What breed of chicken should you buy?
 

After researching chickens in further detail I still want them to join our family. However, I am going to take my time to make sure my preparations are done right and I am ready for them to join us. Ive read that the best time to get baby chicks is mid March-May. Since it is already March and I have not yet preparing a home for them, I will hold off on my plans until next year when I have ample time to prepare for their arrival. Plus, I still have some convincing to do with my husband who is not yet on board with the idea.

 

If you are interested in raising chickens, check out the e-book titled The Urban Chicken. I just finished reading it to help me decide if chickens were a good addition to our home or not. The book answered all of the questions I had that I mentioned above. The book also talks about what breed of chicken are best to get for your overall goals, how to care for them and what to do when things go wrong. I think this book is a great resource for the un-experienced person thinking about whether or not to embark on the chicken raising lifestyle. (Like me!)

 

The e-book The Urban Chicken as mentioned above is available for purchase at the following link.
The Urban Chicken
This lovely book is written by Heather Harris. You can also view her blog at The Homesteading Hippy.

 Any readers raising chickens that can share their experiences with us? I am so curious and want to know more! Please leave your thoughts on raising chickens in the comments.

<3 Dick and Jane

Disclosure: I was able to read this book for free from the writer. I was not compensated for mentioning it in my post. All thoughts in this post are my own and not pursuaded by my free copy to read.