How much effort do you need to raise chickens?

To answer simply, the maximum cost to raise chickens in your backyard will be about $69/month, for a flock of 5 hens, kept for 5 years. This includes the birds, feed, bedding, a brand-new high-quality coop, and miscellaneous costs like medicine, pest control, and feeders and waterers.

How long does it take to raise chickens?

It takes about 8-12 weeks to raise a meat chicken to maturity, while it takes about 6 months to raise a laying chicken to maturity (when they start laying eggs). 8-12 week old mature meat chickens will have the freshest tasting meat, tender & juicy.

Is it hard work to keep chickens?

If you have a garden with ample space then you can keep chickens. And even better…it’s not difficult. Chickens are pretty easy animals to look after, they are entertaining, they’re a natural pest killer, and most importantly they lay delicious, fresh eggs!

Do chickens take a lot of work?

Weekly work involved Getting feed and refilling the feeder is something that needs to be done on a regular basis. For us, it is actually more like once a month. If you have more chickens, it could be weekly.

Are raising chickens worth it?

If you spend $7 weekly for a dozen farmers market eggs, then yes, raising chickens probably will save you money, says Sarah Cook, founder of Sustainable Cooks. Cook estimates that it costs her $3.50 per dozen eggs to feed and care for her admittedly “spoiled” chickens.

Are 2 chickens enough?

Some might recommend that keeping just two chickens is OK, but one should never keep fewer than three in order to meet the social needs of the birds. The more chickens you have, the more complex and satisfying their social structure will be. Chickens thrive on their social lives.

Do chickens need a heat lamp in the winter?

Do not add heat lamps. Chickens, especially cold-tolerant breeds, can withstand winter temperatures without supplemental heat. A chicken’s body temperature is around 106 degrees Fahrenheit, and they have their own protective layer of feathers to keep them warm.

How many chickens do you need to raise at home?

You can build your own or buy one, there are many available on the market, as the Deluxe Chicken Coop. The chicken coop needs to be big enough for the number of chickens you want. We find that 2 chickens per person in the household is a good number.

What are the pros and cons of raising chickens?

Another advantage to raising chickens is that they provide fertilizer. If you’re growing your own food as part of a larger effort toward a greener home and greater self-sufficiency, having chickens you can move around to fertilize different parts of your property can save you money on organic fertilizer.

How much space do chickens need to live in a coop?

And two square feet per chicken is a minimum of space they need. Also, make sure the coop is suited for your weather and has many conveniences for you to minimize work in the long run. A good chicken feeder and water supply will minimize your daily chores.

Do You give Your Chickens a daily chore?

As you see, there is not much left for a daily chore. We do give the chickens a daily treat of some greens, weeds, and garden scrub as available. Also, all our kitchen scraps goes to the chickens. They already know when the back door opens, there could be a treat for them, and they usually make a fun noise to welcome the treat. We love it!