5
Feb
Pros and Cons of Raising Chickens
With the high price of eggs, many homeowners are thinking about raising chickens in their backyards. Before making the decision, consider the pros and cons. Also check with your local zoning regulations to determine if you are allowed to raise chickens in your city or town.
The Pros
Daily supply of fresh eggs. Properly cared for chickens will lay 4 to 6 eggs per week. If you haven’t experienced eggs from healthy, well-cared-for chickens, you will be astonished by the flavor, quality, and rich yokes that are superior to anything you’ll find in the supermarket. Eggs are a fantastic reward for the time and effort you put into properly caring for your chickens.
Reduce food waste. Chickens love kitchen scraps in addition to their regular feed. Safe kitchen scraps to feed chickens include most fruits (apples, berries, grapes), most vegetables (carrots, broccoli, lettuce, zucchini), cooked pasta, cooked rice, leftover bread (in moderation), and even eggshells (crushed) as a source of calcium.
Eliminate insects. Free range chickens love to eat a variety of insects including grubs, ticks and mosquitoes.
The Cons
Cost. The upfront cost of raising chickens is significant. It includes the chicks, housing, bedding, fencing, feed, pest control and medication. The breakdown is as follows:
Chicks $3-$5/chick
Chicken Coop $200-$4,000
Chicken Run $200-$2,000
Nesting Boxes $20-$100
Bedding $7-$15/bale
Feed $15-$30/40 lb. bag
Feeders & Waterers $15-$100
Pest Control $20-$50
Medication $20-$50
TOTAL $515-$6,375
Chickens require feed and water daily and bedding weekly or bi-weekly. The cost depends on the number of chickens and size of your coop.
Noise. Chickens can be noisy, especially if you keep a rooster.
Odor. Chicken poop is stinky. A clean coop will eliminate most of the odor, but depending on the number of chickens in your flock, chicken manure accumulates quickly. If you let your chickens free range, chickens will leave their droppings all over your yard. If your chickens are kept in a coop, a place for manure disposal is necessary.
Predators. Coyotes, foxes, bobcats, weasels, racoons, opossums, hawks, raptors, eagles and owls can be a problem for chickens that free range or for coops that are not well fortified. Predators will target your chickens, so your flock needs to be protected inside and out at all times.
