Chickens

Chickens make life happier!  I love my chickens, but I have learned a few things to help with the happiness aspect.  Don’t let them free range – meaning have them pinned up somewhere so you can maintain damage control.  Chickens love to eat EVERYTHING! Their second favorite pastime is pooping.  They poop EVERYWHERE!  They will destroy your garden, flowers, tomatoes, bushes, you name it.  They do not pay attention to when or where they poop so it gets on everything!  I found that if you give them enough room and everything they need in a run, then they are happy.  We currently have 48 or so hens and 4 roosters.  The thing about roosters is don’t have too many.  Not because they will fight each other, but they will beat up the hens.  A good rule to follow is 1 rooster for around 6-8 hens.  They pick their favorites, the roosters and the hens!  We have a chicken run that is about 4-500 yards long – it runs the length of the property line – and there are 3 chicken houses with 8 egg laying boxes each.  Chickens are creatures of habit and will pick a favorite spot to lay.  They get moody if they cannot get to their favorite spot.