Urban and suburban residents have a newfound interest in backyard chicken keeping. Though this interest has seen a gradual rekindling over the past decade, it was accelerated by the pandemic, supply chain issues, and a growing general desire for more food security and self-reliance, and is now moving full steam ahead.
Raising backyard chickens is an easy first step to take toward food security. It’s easier in a lot of ways than growing a garden, especially if you obtain hens of laying age—the toughest part of raising chickens is caring for them for the first six weeks, before they’re old enough to go outside. Not only are chickens great companions, but they lay eggs nearly year-round. They’re cute and quirky and pretty easy to care for, but there are a few things to take note of before making the leap….