Chickens are a valuable asset in any sustainable reality. 

They eat weeds and scraps and bugs. Their poop nourishes the soil with nitrogen. Eggs can be collected for human consumption. Plus, eggs from homestead-raised chickens are far more nutritious than anything you can find in a store. If they are raised happy and healthy and honorably, the birds can be eaten as well. 

Here are 4 considerations for beginning to raise chickens:

FOOD Chickens can be allowed to roam out of their cage during the day, and they can be directed towards patches of land that need aeration and bug control. Bugs and worms are an easy and free source of protein for chickens. They also need greens and carbs for optimal health. We give our chickens weeds and sort our scraps for their feed. We find that our chickens don't like tomatoes, onions, citrus, banana peels, or avocados, so we sort these items to compost and feed the birds most everything else from our kitchen.

SHELTER Just like anybody else, chickens like a dry, draft-free home that is protected from the elements and predators. Hens will lay eggs even without a rooster present (roosters are only necessary for fertilized eggs), and they prefer nesting boxes, which are cozy little spots to lay eggs and brood.

WATER Chickens, like dogs, pant to release excess heat. They also drink water to cool off. Consider the weather when watering your birds; if it's extremely hot outside, they need much more water. Begin by providing one gallon of fresh water per 4 birds each day. Observe their behavior and adjust your watering schedule to fit their needs. 

CARE Obviously, chickens need to be watered and fed daily and secured from predators at night, and their coop needs cleaning once a week. Additionally, the flock should be kept healthy and happy for thrival. Behavioral and physical changes are obvious when you spend time with your chickens each day; sick birds may be uncomfortable and hunched over, could lose interest in eating and drinking, or might have breathing difficulties. Enjoy the developing relationship between your birds and their caretaker, and continue researching to develop optimal care!

Keeping chickens is a rewarding hobby! Your system will evolve with time and continued research and experimentation.

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