Chickens

 Ziggy the rooster

A year or so ago we decided to invest in a small flock of chickens. We checked into our city laws (if you are interested you need to check to see if they are allowed as not all cities will allow you to keep them with in city limits.) If you plan on getting a rooster you might ask your neighbors about this. We were pleasantly surprised (and very lucky) to find that our neighbors actually enjoy hearing ours . We did sound proof the coop so that before he is let out (at a decent hour) he isn't too loud. He will also let you know if something is amiss by crowing. You don't have to have a rooster though for eggs just if you want them fertilized. Ours does not allow goats though we see them all over the city. I personally would love to keep a few for the milk etc. Anyway. I raised chickens as a teenager and was thrilled at the prospect. I have always enjoyed having them around. We picked up 3 black chicks from Atwoods and then went and got another two later (these two bantams) but something got into the cage and got them. In the end we wound up with two of the origional chicks and then when they were older about 6-8 months we got the rooster and three Aracaunas and wound up with a game hen. We took an old wood shed that was destroyed in a tornado in 2010 and rebuilt it as a chicken coop adding a run later when they got big enough. We now have a rooster and six hens which give us about a dozen eggs every two days (almost...one of them a game hen quit laying for the winter but the others 3 aracaunas and some of the black star (I think?) breeds both lay currently so we get 2 large brown and 2 green and one blue egg usually. The game hen lays white. We give them cuttings from whatever veggies we use (tomato ends, strawberry ends, the end of a head of romaine, and sometimes other things). Something I learned recently but have not tried yet is if you rub mineral oil on the shells it is supposed to make the eggs last longer. We've found they last longer of course than store bought and we tend to share them with our neighbors and family. There are always eggs around to boil, or fry, or use in meals. I would like to learn how to make powdered eggs and I am soon to start learning canning I think so may try pickled also. (not a fave of mine but I know others that like them) Chickens are also good for keeping pests like ticks and such out of your yard though I haven't been able to let ours free range. I hope maybe eventually when we get a fence up they can do a bit of that. You can also... if you have the time and don't mind putting the effort in ...make your own fertilizer for your garden.