This entry was posted on 30 September 2019 in Keeping Chickens.
Rearing chickens can be a nerve-racking experience if you are new to it. However, this should not be the case if you have information and a guide to follow. Specifically, you need to have the correct functioning equipment such as a chicken coop and chicken run etc, have clearly set expectations, and the passion for raising chickens.
In this article, we explore what you need to know if you have decided to go on this adventure of rearing chickens in your back garden.
Keeping chickens can be a fun hobby or a part-time money maker. If it is an investment it should bring value out of every penny invested. If this is your hobby, then just enjoy the fun of keeping chickens.
Eggs from free-range chickens are tastier and better eggs compared to those bought from supermarket shelves. By keeping chickens, you are assured of a consistent supply of these fresh, tasty and nutritious eggs on your table. Once you make up your mind on keeping them, your table will not lack your favourite fried, poached or scrambled eggs for your consumption.
These natural creatures can bring you closer to nature if that is your hobby. With them roaming about freely in the compound, you feel at peace, harmony and serenity in your heart, just by watching them.
With a high demand for chickens and their eggs in the market, families that rear chickens sell their stock to make money. You can also sell manure to the farmers!
Oxytocin is a hormone released when you hug someone or a pet you love when you are stressed. A hen is a pet too! And activities such as egg collection, coop cleaning, or feeding can cause excitement which helps reduce your stress.
Chickens eat insects thus controlling insects around the home and garden. Insects such as grasshoppers, crickets, snails and even garden pests are all devoured by chickens.
Your garden needs organic manure. After collecting the droppings from the chicken coop, spread it in the garden, this will keep your flowers and plants growing healthily.
Understand the rules and regulations governing the keeping of birds in your locality. Some councils prohibit rearing of chickens within the residential areas. The regulations may vary in terms of determining how many chickens you can rear and the type of coop to construct.
Chickens can live harmoniously with your other pets in the same environment. Whether you have rabbits, dogs, cats or guinea pigs, they all co-exist without much bustle, unless the dogs are not used to the chickens and can then attack the chickens!
If you have enough for them to drink and eat, keeping chickens will be the easiest thing to do. You need to keep them busy and not letting them engage in harmful behaviours like pecking and feather picking. Supply your chickens with enough shell grit, water and chicken feed. You can also supplement the diet with green leaves, yoghurt and porridge.
Many people fear that keeping chickens at their homes will eventually be destructive to their well-kept gardens. This is not true because at the same time, chickens will boost your garden by adding manure to it allowing it to thrive.
As part of this guide, consider which breed to rear and the purpose of this venture. Some breeds are purely for meat, some for eggs and others for dual purposes.
We hope you enjoy reading our blog post, for enquiry, please get in touch with us on 01273 978 487 or send us a message via our online contact form.
