Why Chickens?

Most folks begin keeping chickens primarily for the eggs. Why wouldn't you want a pet who can deliver breakfast to you every day, no matter what the weather?

And with their bright, electric-orange yolks and perky egg whites, fresh eggs can't be beat. Eggs from your own chickens taste better and are healthier for your body. But as people begin to explore the idea of keeping chickens, they find other reasons why chickens are great.

For one thing, you don't need much room to have a couple of hens. Chickens take up very little space, and whether you live in a big city, the suburbs, or the lush countryside, a small flock of hens can be tucked away anywhere. A small chicken coop can fit into practically any yard. Chickens are easy to care for and require a minimal amount of attention. Chicken-keeping supplies are readily available at feed stores, as well as at many hardware stores and also online.

Chickens are also part of the local food or locavore movement, which is sweeping the country in response to consumer demand for locally produced food, sustainable farming practices, and more self-reliance. As more and more people want to know where their food comes from, and want to be able to grow as much of their own food as they can, farmers' markets, pick-your-own farms, and restaurants that use local ingredients are becoming increasingly popular.

But there's another reason that so many people are jumping on the chicken bandwagon — these birds are just plain fun to have around!

More than Just Eggs

I first started thinking about getting chickens when my kids were little. They wanted a dog; I wanted a pet that did not require quite as much attention. We had just moved to a place where we could garden, and I wanted to show them how to plant vegetables and harvest a crop, and to share with them how valuable the land can be. I also wanted them to understand that producing food isn't as easy as it seems. At the time, they thought that if you wanted eggs, you could just head down to the supermarket. In reality, each egg is a gift that takes time and effort to produce.

Chickens and kids seem to go hand in hand. We soon learned they make wonderful pets. Each one has her own personality. We had no idea how much fun they could be! Our hens recognize us. They nuzzle with us and sit in our laps. They love to be petted, like a dog or cat. They can be trained. They are capable of emotions. They form a family in which each bird has her own role. They have their own language and communication techniques.

Life Lessons

Our chickens have taught us many basic lessons. They remind us about love, patience, acceptance, camaraderie, and compassion. We have learned about the circle of life: saying goodbye, witnessing new life, caring for those with handicaps, and so much more. Our birds are such wonderful teachers that we call living with them going to "chicken school," and you'll see boxes throughout this book that tell about what we've learned from them. But that's not all!

Chickens work hard from dusk until dawn, helping keep your yard free from insects such as ticks. They enjoy dining on weeds and scraps from the kitchen. Their manure can be turned into the most amazing compost, which in turn nurtures the garden. Another wonderful thing about keeping chickens is spending more time outside. We all enjoy gardening for ourselves and for the chickens.

Before You Begin

If you are like us, the most fun is choosing the types of chickens you want to have, but first you need to think about all that is necessary for keeping chickens. Chicken housing should be at the top of your list. Chickens need a dry, safe place to take shelter from bad weather and predators. Chickens also require care and attention — not a lot, but you can't neglect them!

They need fresh food and water daily, and the coop needs some light housekeeping each morning and a good cleaning now and then. You will need to collect eggs a couple times per day, too. Chicken keeping requires a responsible and dedicated owner.

One of the most important things to take into account when planning for chickens is the amount of space that you have for your flock and where they will live. Anyone with a little bit of space can raise chickens, but you must keep your space and living conditions in mind when you select your breeds. If you live in the country, your flock can have more space. If you live in the city, your chickens will most likely be confined to their coop and an outside run most of the time.

Some breeds handle confinement well. Other breeds do better when allowed to roam free. The important thing is to provide enough space so that the living areas do not develop odors, the chickens don't fight, and everyone is healthy and thriving.

How Much Space?

A standard-sized chicken needs a minimum of 10 square feet of space to live comfortably. The coop should provide 2 to 3 square feet of that total, with an additional 8 or so square feet in the run. Bantams need 5 to 7 square feet per bird.

As an example, a flock of four standard hens should have 8 to 12 square feet of coop space and at least 32 square feet in their run. A coop that is 3 feet wide by 4 feet long (12 square feet) allows for 3 square feet per chicken. A run that is 4 feet wide by 10 feet long (40 square feet) will provide adequate space for a flock this size.

It is always best to give your flock as much space as you can, especially if they will spend most of their time confined to the coop and run. In colder climates, where chickens spend more time indoors in poor weather, a larger coop might be a good choice. In warm climates, where the flock can spend more of its time outdoors and use the coop only for laying eggs and sleeping, a smaller coop works just fine.

Planning Ahead

Another important thing to keep in mind is how long your chickens will live. Chickens typically live anywhere from 5 to 7 years, but some can live as long as 20 years. Hens lay the most eggs during the first couple of years, but after that, egg production tapers off and becomes more sporadic. When egg production dips, some people choose to find a new home for their entire flock and begin again with young chicks in the spring.

Other folks keep their aging chickens and add new chicks to the flock, which means increasing their living space. As you figure out space requirements for your initial flock, you might want to factor in a little extra room just in case you decide to add to your flock later.

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