Growing Chickens

I am happy to say that the hens that arrived as just-hatched-chicks
on April 1st are laying now.


Every day I am getting 2 ½ to 3 dozen eggs.

Lovely, aren't they?
I love an egg carton full of eggs of varied color and size.


Hubbs takes our eggs to the city each week...
we have regular customers who reserve a year's worth of eggs at a time.

And so, in order to service those long-term customers, I have to
raise a new flock of chickens each year to replace the ones who retire along the way.


I have three chicken houses, and each year the newest batch of hens
gets moved into one of the houses (on a rotating basis).
This last group moved into the upper house in this picture.


There are two houses that share this enclosed yard,
but as you can see... our chickens spend their days out in the pasture...


or hanging out in the goats' run-in shed.


Next year's chicks will move into this chicken house behind the goats.


Currently there are about 20 retired chickens living in this house.
(A couple of them still lay an occasional egg.)


If you are on the fence about raising backyard chickens,


don't hesitate to email me.
I would love to chat with you and perhaps give you a little push towards raising your own eggs!

I guarantee you will never be sorry that you did!
(Unless of course you happen to get a rooster amongst your hens...
unless your neighbors don't mind waking up before the sun rises!)

Comments

daisy g said…
Sounds like a great set up for you and the chickens! We are moving to a more rural location so that we can have chickens. Pinned!
Candice said…
I wish that I could have backyard chickens...but our rural subdivision with its outdated view of what it means to live in the country hasn't come around to that idea. Maybe someday...
we are very fortunate, even though we live in the city, we have a neighbor who has a rooster who calls us from our slumber at 4:15 am, almost every day. I love that sound.
Lynne said…
And which chicks lay those pretty blue eggs . . .
Great Chicky Post!
Junebug said…
Yes,yes to raising backyard chicken. Even if you only raise a few. I have 5 but two are old girls and don't produce eggs anymore. Ok, they are classed pets! So three layers and I give eggs away to family. Don't hesitate! Well its off camping for me again! The last trip of the year, tears! Enjoy your weekend, Hugs!!
mrscravitz said…
I just acquired my FIRST 3 hens. Given to me by a friend that was moving. With them came a clutch of about 20 eggs from two of the hens. To make a LONG and ARDUOUS Story short, I wound up with three LIVE chicks. I had to separate them from the moms. They did not seem to care where the babies were when scratching and I saw one of the baby's go flying. I get an egg now and again from the one hen that did not have a clutch of eggs. The other two hens, have yet to give me an eggs since taking away all the eggs that I figured were not going to hatch. Anyway. It is an experience, and I can't wait till spring when I can get more baby chicks. I want one of every kind! LOL
Kris said…
Raising hens has been one of the joys of my life! I will be getting some new chicks this spring to keep that egg production going. Now they are in molt, and the laying has slowing tremendously. I love my chickens!!!
Kris
This N That said…
I have to say that I don't eat eggs much any more ..Your eggs spoiled me..nothing better..Have a wonderful day..PS..Happy October..
jaz@octoberfarm said…
one of these days i will do this...one of these days!
GeorgiaHoneyBee said…
I really want chickens, but I am having a hard time figuring out what it will cost to feed a dozen. Do you have any information? Or do you have any ideas on how to reduce the cost? I plan on planting extra rows in the garden so that I'll have greens to give them.
Bee Haven Bev said…
I have to say that during the spring, summer and fall my chickens eat a lot less feed and more grass and bugs. We supplement their diet with kitchen scraps and leftovers also. So that helps reduce the cost. I am guessing that you should be able to feed a dozen chickens at maybe $40 or less a month? Just a guess....it is hard for me to guess because I have 100+ to feed.
Bee Haven Bev said…
Blue eggs and green eggs come from Auracanas and Ameraucanas.
An American in Tokyo said…
I've never eaten a fresh chicken's egg before. I wonder if I would be able to tell the difference?!

My dream is to one day have some garden space to have a chicken or two...and a horse!! =)
Wish me luck!!