Considerations when raising backyard chickens

ASK THE HORT AGENT

Question What major considerations do I need to address when raising chickens in my backyard?

Answer Fifty years ago, all country folks had chickens. They provided eggs and meat. Most backyard flocks were “free range.” Therefore, chickens were the cheapest form of livestock to maintain. Advancements in poultry science now allow commercial growers to produce poultry products very cheaply. The resurging trend of backyard chickens is primarily driven by fresh egg production. Even if it is purely psychological, an egg from one of your pet chickens tastes better than a store bought egg.

When considering chickens for egg production remember that you do NOT need a rooster. For you city slickers, roosters are male chickens. Hens are the females. Roosters will enable you to produce baby chicks. Unless you wish to expand your flock, this is not a desired situation. Roosters (like most males) crow all the time, fight and reduce the number of

cooking eggs. If you don’t have roosters, then your neighbors may never know you have chickens.

The 2 primary considerations for keeping chickens are ordinances and predators. Most cities make allowances for hens (not necessarily roosters). The biggest roadblocks are going to occur in subdivisions. Well-meaning subdivision residents sometimes regulate themselves out of happiness in their quest for utopia. Fortunately, no matter where you are, rules can be changed.

And then there are predators. Everybody thinks of bobcats, raccoons, coyotes, foxes and hawks. Obviously, if you live in the boondocks, then wild animals will attempt to raid your chicken coop. However, the number one killer of backyard chickens is dogs. A chicken coop has to be able to withstand the attack of a climbing or digging dog. If you can keep dogs out, then you will probably be protected from the rest of nature’s hunters.

The second most feared predator doesn’t attack the hens. He eats the eggs. Black snakes will eventually find your chicken coop. There is no way to totally exclude snakes short of building Fort Knox. Highly populated areas do not have as many snakes. You may go years before you encounter one. The best way of dealing with snakes is catch and release. Transport the snake a couple miles from your coop. If it’s any consolation poisonous snakes are typically not big egg eaters.

Lastly, keep in mind that chickens are a responsibility similar to any other pet. They need food, water and shelter. It also helps if you love your chickens. Be aware of commercial poultry producers within 10 miles of your home. You don’t want your little flock to be a disease incubator that puts somebody out of business.

For more info about backyard chicken farming, visit http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/poulsci/tech_manuals/Backyard_Chickens.pdf If you don’t have internet access then call me at 910-893-7530 or email me at gpierce@harnett.org

As you can see, roosters are not even effective at producing chicks. They just keep the coop all stirred up. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqNS3PYBDz0&feature=related To view the reality tv version, visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmpmOD-PuF4

Gary L. Pierce

Horticulture Extension Agent