New Pet Zone

Ultimately, this is a personal decision. There is a very diverse and long list of chicken breeds to choose from. Many people choose a breed based on appearance alone. Knowing why you want to raise chickens is probably the best place to start when trying to determine which breed is right for you.

People raise backyard chickens for different reasons. Maybe you want to have a supply of fresh, healthy eggs or meat for you and your family. Maybe you are looking for an environmentally friendly method of controlling weeds and insects. Maybe you are looking for a source of fertilizer for your garden. Maybe you’ve always dreamed of taking the blue ribbon at the fair for your prized show chicken. Or, maybe you just like chickens, and want to wake up in the morning to hear a rooster crowing outside your window.

One of the most enjoyable reasons to have chickens is the regular supply of delicious farm fresh eggs. Here are a few tips on egg production from your backyard flock.

First, you don’t need a rooster in your flock to have eggs. Hens will lay eggs with or without a rooster around. If your only goal is to have eggs to eat, you can skip the rooster. He’ll just consume feed and raise the cost of your egg production. If, on the other hand, you want to hatch eggs, you will need a rooster.

If you live in a mild climate, you probably don’t need to do anything special to your chicken coop in the winter. But, if you live in a harsher climate, there are a few steps you can take to safeguard the health of your flock, and ensure continued production through the winter months.

Free range chickens are obviously exposed to more weather than those who are kept in controlled housing. Although I feel the benefits of free-ranging your chickens far outweigh the risks, it does generally result in lower production and in extreme weather can be dangerous for your flock. Even free-range chickens need some type of shelter at night — both for warmth in harsh weather, and for protection from predators. By taking a few precautions, you can minimize the dangers and keep your flock healthy and happy through the winter.