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Chickens Keeping / Chickens In Backyard

The Benefits of Chickens in Backyard

Many people keep a variety of domestic pets and animals. However, of all these domestic pets, chickens are the most unique because they are a constant source edible food unlike the other pets such as dogs and cats.

They are a rich source of organic  fresh meat and eggs  produced directly from backyard instead of purchasing them from the supermarket. All you have to do is to feed your chickens with organic chicken feed and also allow them to roam freely in the coop. Chickens raised this way are proven to eggs that have higher levels of Omega-3 fatty acids and Vitamin E while having lower cholesterol content!

Chickens are also easier to maintain than other domesticated pets. You are required just to ensure that they have adequate food and water, clean the coop every other day and change the straw bedding 3 or 4 weeks depending on weather conditions.

A third benefit of raising chickens in your backyard, is that they are environmentally friendly and help take care of the environment. When you allow them to roam freely, they eat garden pests and help you trim your grass as they love eating grass. Eventually, they turn all they have eaten into a form of organic fertilizer that is naturally nitrogen-rich and can be used as manure to tending your flowers.

Click on the link to obtain a comprehensive guide on how to raise chickens, choose the right breeds for your area and the various Chicken Coops To Build in your backyard.

What to Consider Before You Start Chickens keeping:

If you decide to raise chickens, it is important to evaluate the following factors;

The Time You Have at Your Disposal: Although chickens are relatively low-maintenance, they do require at least 15 to 20 minutes daily for daily care and maintenance in the form of replenishing their food and water and ensuring the bedding areas are dry.

 The Space Available: The chicken Coop should be at least six square feet per bird is allotted in the outside run to allow them to run freely. Chickens are natural foragers and they eat insects, grass and weeds and any other that they can find in the run – the more they are able to forage, the healthier and more contented they will be. This is to your advantage since you will reap the benefits in tastier eggs and poultry meat.

 The Neighborhood Policy: Determine whether the keeping of chickens in your locality is authorized and if this is allowed, be sure to secure the necessary health or zoning permit

 The Cost: Consider the initial investment in constructing the chicken coop, feed supplies, cost of the birds, and maintenance may reach a significant amount of money but in the long run, when they start laying fresh eggs and you already benefit from their poultry meat.

 Number of Chickens: This will be determined by the space available for them, the time you have on your hands and your interest for keeping them.

 Size of the Chicken: Another important factor for consideration is the size of chicken, Standard (normal-size), or Bantam, chickens that are a fraction of the size of Standards and are mainly raised for ornamental purposes. Although bantams lay edible eggs also, they do so on a less frequent schedule and their eggs are smaller in size. There is no problem in having both sizes in your flock as Silkies, Belgian Bearded D’Uccles and Sebrights are available only as Bantams whereas there are other breeds which are available in both sizes. You can combine both sizes in your flock if you want both types.

Do you require more details on how you can raise and care for your chickens, choose the right breed for your locality and access to the best plans, designs and techniques for a chicken coop of your choice?  The click on this link Chicken Coop To Build to access the comprehensive guide.

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