For the last several years, we have helped our neighbors with their backyard chickens. When they take a trip, we feed and water them and gather the eggs. The best part of this is that we get to keep some of the eggs for our own use.
Also for the last several years, I've wanted to have a few chickens of our own, but my husband isn't quite as enthusiastic about it.
We have the space. Building a coop isn't a problem. (If he and my dad can build a conservatory, they can surely build a little ol' chicken coop, right?) And the benefit of having our own eggs, which we both love to eat, is a no-brainer.
But perhaps I'm missing a compelling reason that would convince him that we should get our own chickens. I only want a few!
This is where you, my dear readers, have a chance to help convince him that a few chickens are just what we need around here. In the comments, give your best pitch for us having chickens and I'll lay them on him.
While we're at it, I'd also like to hear reasons why we might NOT want to have chickens. Those, I might just keep to myself. ;-)
"Bejeweled"
12 comments:
Chickens make you laugh pretty hard. At least, they make me laugh. Have you seen this blog? http://scratchandpeck.blogspot.com/
It's a great look into the personalities of chickens.
Good luck! :)
There is nothing more soothing in life than watching hens scratch and peck. High blood pressure will never be a problem if there are hens in the yard!
I have this same dilemma. We are thinking of having chickens too, but just not convinced. We are going to perhaps raise Bantams, they are a smaller breed of chickens. It's nicer space wise.
The eggs are great, but the mess not so great. I think everyone should try chickens once, but have a back-up plan in case after one season you're over the clucking hens. We gave our chickens to the local farmer when we were over the experiment.
Fresh eggs beat anything you can get at the store or farmers market 10 times over.
Kylee, I grew up with a back garden full of bantam hens (and the odd rooster). It was my job to collect the eggs each morning. There was not a day, in 5 years of having chooks where I didn't get chicken poop squished between my toes. Ugh. Reason for not having them. They are messy buggers!
However, I can't wait for the day when we move to our farm permanently and get chickens. The eggs are obvious. It's the personality of the birds themselves. They are great fun. Remind me to tell you the story of Henry the Rooster one day. So, on the whole, get chooks, you won't regret it. Just wear shoes.... x
Without know why your hubster is opposed to chickens... Your best tactic would be to purpose a completely new species. Guineas. They're great, they have all the benefits of chickens with less hassle. When I say "hassle" I mean, chickens often scratch for food (I don't know how free range your's are going to be) but guineas only peck. Chickens can destroy plants with ease, guineas... it just not in their nature. Plus male chickens can be so mean. I've been attacked, trust me when I say it's not fun. Guineas attacking? Not so much. Plus they're closer to punt size if they do. However, I don't condone punting animals of any nature; No matter they're aggression levels. Stuff to think about. Read more here: http://www.guineafowl.com/fritsfarm/guineas/
We love our three hens. Michele is right, it is soothing to watch hens in our yard, but ........ we also love our garden and after two years of allowing them free range we've decided to restrict them. Chickens peck and scratch constantly. We're short many a plant due to them. If you have enough room to keep them in their own area I think you would enjoy them. Also need to say, our hens are treated more as pets.
We buy those free range eggs from a farmer. They are so good.
Just think of all that free fertilizer too.
We love our chickens and the eggs and meat they provide for our family. My son Michael is 16 yrs. of age and as been raising chicken since he was 7. He built a moble pin so our chickens are free range but save from wild animals. There moved to new grass everyother day. Thier no walking in chicken poo to get eggs he made a back door to the nest so reach right in get the eggs. The eggs and meat they provide are free from growth hormoes and such. It a good thing wroth the fun.
Oh, how I love having chickens. They eat bad bugs and the grubs I toss towards them. They eat slug eggs so my plants don't get eaten. They till the garden and fertilize everywhere. They're my little garden helpers. Plus, they're very social and a hoot to watch. I open the door in the morning to let them out and once they put themselves to bed, I close the coop door at night.
Oh, and they lay eggs too.
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