Eight chickens are about to be our first family pets. No, we don’t have a dog or a cat or any other animal. My husband is allergic to cats (and doesn’t like them all that much) and I’ve been hesitant about getting a dog. I love them but every time I get close to pulling the trigger I talk myself out of it. It is mostly the housebreaking part and the hair and the fact that I am already picking up after and taking care of three humans. I know we’ll get a dog though. It is inevitable!
Why do I want backyard chickens?
1. I want to have access to my own fresh eggs. I want to send my kids out to the chicken coop to find the eggs and bring them in for breakfast. There is nothing like the taste and quality of a fresh egg.
2. Self-sufficiency. Having access to your own eggs is just awesome. One of my goals for my Hobby Homestead is to get closer and closer to being self-sufficient. It might take a while to get there but I’m working on it!
3. The experience of caring for an animal that provides food. We homeschool our kids and there are so many things that we have been doing to teach our kids life skills. I want them outside, exploring the world and taking part in it.
How I am going to build my chicken coop:
This is the overall design I plan to use for my chicken coop. Our chickens will arrive at the end of May so my husband and I need to get going on this little project! Thanks to Home Garden Design Plan for the great ideas! I’ve also set up a Pinterest Board (Epic Chicken Coop Ideas) where I am pinning ideas for the coop. What would you do? We’ll probably modify this one but this is the overall plan!
How am I learning about how to take care of my backyard chickens?
Oh Lardy’s Guide to Keeping Backyard Chickens is a HUGE help! Thank you Kelly and Tamara for all of the tips. Between their book and an upcoming farm tour from my local farmer who is providing the chickens, I’m going to be able to handle these new household additions!
Click here to BUY Oh Lardy’s Book for just $14.99!
Photo credit: uroszunic
There are lots of benefits in raising your own chickens. Aside from fresh eggs every day, you can teach your kids to be responsible. You can let your kids spend their time in maintaining your chickens.
Raising your own chickens can be a great form of entertainment too. You can watch them taking a dust bath.