love of local in Utah
Raising Backyard Chickens
I want to start off by saying we are *learning* on the go about how to raise backyard chickens. I want to share everything as we do it. Am I the expert? No. And I would love any tips from my readers if I am doing something the wrong way.
The girls and I came back from a trip to baby chicks. Actually, they are 3 weeks old now. Finding chicks in the “off season” (which is June to October) is hard, but my husband had found some while we were gone. We have a total of six chicks. 4 are White Leghorns and 2 are Spotted Leghorns. They don’t produce the beautiful colored eggs; just plain lighter eggs. At full size they will be around 3-4 pounds and are not usually used for poultry meat.
We decided to buy chicks instead of grown hens because we want to get used to each other. I want the girls to see, touch, play with and feed them every single day so they are comfortable around them. I also want the chicks to be very used to human touch. I also wanted to control where I got the chicks and which kinds. I have been told that if you buy from a local source, the chances of them being born from a mother who was treated humanely and not pumped with growth hormones is much higher. Hens don’t like to be alone. They recommend that you have at least 3. I am still not sure why he got SIX, but it will be fun and we have the room.
Right now their “home” needs to be kept at a very warm (actually kind of hot, 90 degrees) temperature which is perfect for the weather right now. They are not in their chicken coop in the backyard quite yet, but in their baby carrier with their water.
We are doing this for a few reasons: #1 For fun #2 To further teach the girls WHERE their food comes from #3 Because the Free Range Organic Eggs I buy cost too much! #4 We just adore animals #5 We have the room! #6 They are great for fertilizing the garden soil and keeping tabs on all those bugs!
The girls and Tyler named them: Athena, Audrey, Belle, Buttercup, Lilly and our favorite chick, Piper.
I’ll be sure to keep you updated on our process with raising backyard chickens. Wish us luck!
Added Notes: There is a very particular way you need to keep chicks. I did not go over this. Make sure that your other animals (3 dogs in our case) have NO access to the chicks and make sure your city’s zoning laws allow for backyard hens.
Tags: raising backyard chickens
good for you!! we got 16 chickens in may and they have been a hoot to watch and take care of. the kids absolutely love them and try to get to them any chance they can
We currently have 3 adult layers and 9 week or so chicks who will be mixed in with the flock, eventually. We love our backyard birds for so many reasons, the great eggs are just one of the benefits. Looks like you folks are off to a great start.
-Robin
you want 6 chicks so you get enough eggs out of it to make it worth it! Chickens lay about an egg a day give or take.
We really wanted to get some this year, but man with my giant garden I’m not sure I could have kept up with those chicks too. Maybe next year… and then you can give me pointers.
Wow. How cool. I am a little envious. I’ve often thought that having chickens would be so great for all of the reasons you mentioned. And then, I thought of the potential mess and the inability to travel often and changed my mind…
Hmmm. Still think it is totally cool. Wish you were my neighbor
Wow! What a surprise – have fun.
Tauni, I have no problem finding chicken sitters when we go out of town. I just pay them in eggs.
-Robin
I’ve been wanting to do this for a long time, but will be moving to Seattle and living in an apartment. I look forward to living vicariously through your posts.
So fun and so exciting!
So fun! I have been telling my husband that I want to get some hens… we just need to get a house first.
Hi all, im really happy
i just got my new IPhone 4G for FREE lol!. I didn’t think it would work but it pulled through. I followed the steps on Free IPhone 4G and i just thought ide share it! Dont forget to tell your friends
Holy cow!! You have chickens?!! That’s so rad!
[...] you haven’t read our first post on Raising Backyard Hens you should do [...]
What a great venture, Vanessa! You and your girls are going to learn so much in the process.
Who knows? Maybe you’ll have an abundance of eggs that you can sell to family + friends.
[...] If you missed the post on WHY we wanted to get backyard chickens, read it here. [...]
[...] at 5am throwing on all our snow stuff to make sure they were ok. What can I say we have raised them from little baby chicks! We love Piper, Audrey, Lily, Athena, Belle and [...]