Keeping chickens is growing very common, and it is not just done on farms any longer. There is a boom in chicken farming in the suburbs and even in cities. Small chicken coops permit non-farmers to supply healthy, flavorful eggs for their family while also producing a sense of self-sufficiency and a link with our agricultural roots.
Eggs produced by chickens brought up on pasture are nutritionally superior to eggs currently sold in supermarkets. They have far less cholesterol, less saturated fat, more vitamin A and E, more omega-3 fatty acids, and more beta-carotene. Organic eggs produced in the backyard are much more tastier, too.
Hens are in reality a lot like any other pets - they bond with their owners, they get along well with children, and like any pet, they are full of surprises. It is now feasible to have your very own healthy, happy flock of chickens, not to mention a non-stop supply of fabulous eggs, in your own backyard. All that is necessary is a well-designed coop and some land where the hens can move around.
To have a successful and content flock of chickens, they first require sufficient floor space. 6 square ft of floor space per hen is ideal. In addition, the chicken coop must be dry and well-ventilated, with plenty of oxygen. The right ventilation also allows for excess moisture, ammonia, and carbon dioxide to escape. If your chickens are kept dry, they will stay warm and safe, even in cold conditions, and the happier and healthier the hens are, the more eggs they will lay.
The added advantage of raising chickens is that they make high quality manure from their droppings that is rich in nitrogen. This manure is a natural fertiliser and can be recycled into the owners garden or even sold. The average chicken produces 250 to 300 eggs per year, so spare eggs can also be sold to bolster family income.
There are numerous advantages to having a small chicken coop. Besides the delicious eggs and valuable manure, a small chicken coop is portable. Plus, having chickens is a fantastic opportunity for children to learn lessons about responsibility, hard work, and the value of money. With all these benefits, it is not surprising that keeping hens has become such a fashionable pastime.
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