Three years ago I finished building my home and the only thing that was on my mind was “when will I be ready to get chickens!” Now here we are and I finally have 13 chickens. My my my who knew for every five chickens you get that only means you have one.
I’ve learned addiction can come in many forms and my new addiction happens to have wings. Not just chickens, but peacocks, ducks and anything thats cute and feathery. I’ve even begun admiring the hawks and owls in nearby trees waiting to swoop down and take hold of my feathery family. That being said, I have learned a lot about how to and not to care for these amazing creatures.
Any size yard can accommodate chickens. It is always advisable to have at least a pair but if you’re getting chicks I would say get three because all may not survive and you don’t want to have one lonely little chick. Loss is something we have had to become accustom to as well. Between predators, temperature hazards and coop living mixed with free range dangers, becoming a 20 week old chicken is an amazing feat.
Before you go out an find your perfect chicks there are a few steps you need to take.
Chickens are THE easiest pet I have ever raised. The biggest investment was the coop and after that, time was the only other true investment. Now we have fresh eggs daily and lots of love. Chickens can learn up to 100 words as well as your voice, they will know you are their human. I love morning feed times when I arrive at the coop to give them free range time. They all run out and surround me waiting to get a few drops of scratch (seeds) and a little rub down their backs. My flock has managed to keep my banana tree beds weed free and mosquitos are kept at bay because they eat the larve. They protect the area from small snakes and creatures that may not be beneficial to have in our space. I can leave out of town for a whole week and just have enough feed and space for them to free roam with no worries. They are a great addition to any backyard and will add years of fresh food and fun to any home.
I truly don’t know how I ever lived without chickens! But I hope to never have to again.
Straight out of Lisa’s Lane!
