Chickens are flying off the shelves. And not just the frozen kind. Farm stores can’t keep stock of day-old chicks and hatcheries are overflowing with orders. The demand for chickens has reached unprecedented heights. But should you be raising your own chickens? In this post I will go over reasons why raising chickens may not be the answer…. or is it?
Currently it is April 2020 and our world as we know it has been forever changed. Life is not the same for most people and for many, panic and chaos have taken on a whole new meaning.
If you are reading this in the future, currently we are in the throws of the Corona Pandemic. You may be saying “Oh I remember those times” and (I pray) “Glad we got through that okay!”. Right now though, fear abounds.
All of a sudden, my “crazy” homestead life isn’t as crazy anymore and many people are now begging for self-sufficiency guidance. It took a pandemic for many to see the reasoning behind maintaining old-fashioned skills.
I am very happy to help teach what I know but I also want to be real. Being informed also means deciding what is right for you and determining what maybe isn’t a good fit.
Before you rush to the farm store for some little fuzz balls or place an online order for some hatching eggs, let’s first take a look at why panic buying chickens may not be the answer.
Is this a new idea?
Have you considered buying chickens before this? Was it a goal of yours prior to stores having a limited supply of eggs and meat?
Or is this new, are you just now considering purchasing chickens because of recent events?
If you belong to the later group, stop. Please, I beg of you, do not purchase chickens on a whim because you are nervous about what the future holds. In 3 months, you may be able to push that 10 pound bag of rice to the back of the pantry but the chickens will continue to need daily care.
That doesn’t mean you absolutely should not buy chickens. If this pandemic has suddenly spurred the inner homesteader in you and you truly are intrigued, hit the books! Do your research, find out if chickens are right for you- they just may be! If you decide, after reading and discussing as much as you can, that you are ready for the long-term commitment, I highly encourage you to do so.
Recommended Reading:
How-to Raise Healthy Chicks
9 Best Practices for Raising Chickens
How to Keep Chickens Warm in Winter
Meat Chickens or Laying Hens?
What is your goal? Do you want to provide healthy, homegrown meat for the table/freezer or are you looking for the rich, dark orange yolks that only well-fed, free-range chickens have?
Maybe both?
Before you start, you need to know your end goal. What is it you are looking to achieve? This will determine what is best for your situation.
If you don’t know, if you are just considering a flock of feathers because it’s become the “in” thing- don’t. Find a local farmer/homesteader who can help supply your egg and meat needs.
Results are not immediate.
If your objective is to supply your family with as many eggs as you need, you may be surprised how long it will take to get to that first butt nugget. Depending on the breed, it can take upwards of 4, 6 and even 8 months before a pullet starts laying!
Surely by then the panic will have subsided…. right?
You may be able to find older pullets or even chickens that are already laying. That certainly helps get eggs in your belly quicker, but it will cost you more and they currently are in short supply.
Meat birds chickens require slightly less patience but they need time to grow as well. You will be waiting at least 8-12 weeks for that roast chicken dinner.
Consider a dual purpose breed. There are many breeds out there that grow large enough to provide a substantial meal but also are productive layers. A straight run (non-sexed order of chicks) of these not only is cheaper, but would provide you with both meat and eggs… in time.
Chickens require investment.
*This post contains affiliate links. Purchasing items from these links may entitle me to a small commission at no extra cost to you.*
When first starting out with chickens, even if you do things as frugal as possible, there is an initial investment required. The coop, wire, feeders, water vessel(s), bedding, heat source (if raising chicks), incubator (if hatching), feed, the actual chicks/chickens… it adds up.
And that’s just the start. Especially if you are in an area where your chickens don’t have access to a large free range area, feed can get expensive! Unless you are able to raise enough chickens to also sell extra, you will not save money by raising chickens for eggs.
Of course, the quality of life of the chicken and the quality of eggs are far superior to the bargain eggs found in your local grocery store.
The investment is not only monetary but raising any animal also requires an investment in time. You will need to go outside to feed, water, and care for your flock every single day. Even when its pouring down rain. Even in a blizzard. Even if you just don’t feel like it.
Granted, chickens are probably the easiest farm animal to raise but it is something to consider.
What will the neighbors think?
Backyard chickens have gained popularity in recent years and many cities and towns now welcome chickens. That being said, if you live in city-limits, don’t just assume you can bring home a few biddys for the backyard. Be sure to check your local laws.
Even if it is legal for you to keep chickens, it is also a good idea to give your neighbors a little heads-up. It is almost always illegal to raise a rooster in town, but you may be surprised at the amount of noise a proud hen can make. Many hens sing a (loud) daily “I laid an eeeeegg” song, possibly to the dismay of your peaceful community.
If you are in town, you also want to make sure your chickens can’t wander off of your property. A phone call that your sweet Henrietta just dug up Mrs. Johnson’s newly planted flower bed or that your flock just peppered grumpy Mr. Joe’s driveway with plops of poop, don’t normally strengthen neighborly bonds. Of course, that fence is gonna cost you. $$
On that note, if you have close neighbors and are planning on butchering any of your chickens- have a plan to do it out of sight. Do I have to explain why?
You are not the only one who thinks chicken is tasty.
Do you have a plan for predators?
Part of chicken ownership is providing a safe and secure home. Depending on your location, predators may be a big issue that requires a lot of thought and planning to protect your flock.
There may be occasion where you think you have done everything possible, but a weasel squeezes in and kills one of your hens. Or maybe you forget to close the girls in at night and a raccoon takes out the whole flock. It is a harsh reality that can and does happen.
It is important to know what predators are in your area so you can protect your flock to you best ability.
It’s not all sunshine and rainbows.
Yes, I love raising chickens. Looking out at my beautiful flock of birds gives me a happy heart. Providing nutritious, high-quality food for my family makes me proud. But it’s not always fun.
I absolutely hate dealing with frozen waterers in the dead of winter. All I want to do is retreat to the warm comfort of my home but I’m stuck outside hauling buckets of water and chipping ice for the chickens.
Cleaning out a coop after the first spring thaw brings tears to your eyes and burns your nose hairs. It’s simply disgusting. No matter how hard you try to keep it clean throughout the winter. Chickens aren’t the messiest but keeping their area clean is still a chore.
The occasional illness and/or death of a chicken is a reality and a hard one at that. But it is part of reality.
Continuing to feed chickens who are providing little to no eggs during their winter “off” period can get quite frustrating. Still spending money on feed with nothing in return. I’d be lying if I hadn’t threatened the stew pot a time or two.
Chickens are awesome!
Before you get the wrong idea, know that I LOVE chickens and highly encourage others to raise them as well! However, in the chaos of a pandemic, rational thinking sometimes gets overshadowed by panic.
Raising chickens is a big commitment and it is important to know what you are getting yourself into. They are an excellent gateway animal when you begin homesteading, one to help ease you into chores and animal husbandry.
I encourage you to visit my other chicken related posts and be sure to follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for upcoming chicken and homestead related content!
Be happy and be safe!
Thank you for stopping by the homestead!
Until next time,
Melissa
Related Posts:
Healthy Chicks
How to Prepare for New Chicks
9 Best Practices for Raising Chickens
How to Keep Chickens Warm in Winter
What Happened to my Pretty Chicken?
Where Did my Eggs go?
