When we have established a garden and a small homestead for ourselves, the next thought we can have is that we should get some livestock. The easiest to get can often appear to be chickens. However, are these as easy to manage as they might first appear? Let’s take a closer look at what you need to know before you invest in some chickens for your home.
A Safe Place
You need to make sure that you have a safe environment to store your chickens in. The first part of this will always be the coop and the run. This means that your chickens will have somewhere safe that they can lay their eggs in without being bothered by potential predators, as well as some outdoor space that they can explore and enjoy.
However, these are not the only things that you should get when you have chickens. You also need to think about getting some chicken feeders, like the ones you can find at Little Fields Farm, and some of the other goods that chickens might need to be able to live long and healthy lives.
Time and Dedication
Even if you have just a few chickens, they are still more lives that you need to care for. Chickens need to be looked after no matter what. You can choose not to walk a dog one day, or to not let a cat out during bad weather. However, come rain or shine, you need to make sure that those chickens are well-fed and properly looked after.
On top of this, you need to think about what you are going to do if you ever go away. A dog or a cat could be put to kennels or a cattery when you need to travel. With chickens, you need to find a friend or neighbour who is willing to come around to look after them as you travel.
Personalities
Believe it or not, but chickens can have very different personalities depending on their breed. Though you might like the idea of one type of chicken for the eggs that they can lay, it might not be the best type of chicken for you in terms of temperament.
It can be tempting to just adopt the first chickens that you come across when you have made up your mind to get some. However, you need to think about it a little more critically. Do some research to find the right sort of chickens for you. You could have a flock of prim and proper ladies, or you could have a squad that is a little bit wilder. It is up to you!
Chickens, like any other animal that you might wish to adopt, require commitment from you. You need to make sure that you are fully prepared to care for them, so that you are able to offer them the best quality of life possible. In return, you can grab your own fresh eggs, plus plenty of entertainment from your feathered friends!
