Experience The Joy Of Backyard Hens By Successfully Raising Happy Chicks

Some of you may remember that way back in November, my family was cited for having chickens within the city limits. We had no idea that this was illegal, since we've had chickens from the start at this house, and so we got to go to a city council meeting and prove that our chickens were there before the law changed. This grandfathered in our hens, but it still left that fact that hens were illegal in our very small, rural town.

To me, this was crazy! We live in a very tiny, sort of economically depressed area where growing a little of your own food should be encouraged...not made illegal. So, this started the campagn to get that law changed, and it finally was on the 10th of March. As it sits now, people in our little town can have 10 hens! I'm so excited for that change. There are some rules that you have to comply with and our city ouncil has decided to make registering your birds mandatory, but thankfully they made that a no-fee register.

I'm hoping to see a huge increase in the number of hens in our area. For a few reasons actually. First, bug control! Already this year, we have noticed less spiders, ants, maple bugs and flies. We expanded our chickens area that they can roam around in and so they are taking care of the little nasty critters that are closer to our house. In the summer, I fully expect to have less ticks and mosquitos as well. Chickens can eat a ton of bugs in one day, and are happy to do it, and in return you'll get eggs with the most amazingly yellow (almost orange) yolks you have ever seen. I also think that having an animal that provides for your table is good for a lot of the kids in the area to experience. I was a 4-H kid and had animal projects the whole time, but a lot of the kids in this town don't get that experience. Maybe a few kids can fall in love with chickens like my girls have. It gives them a sense of responsibility, give kids a chore to do, makes them realize that something is dependent on them to live. Animals have to be fed and watered after all.

I thought I would share a couple of things that I learned while going through this experience with the city hall. First and foremost, an acitvely participating group of people who are in favor of the change are essential. Second, it never hurts to start up a Facebook page or other social media site that can be a go-to place for everyone to get all of the current information on meetings and the current staus of things. I also think that having a petition signed by people in favor of the change in law is really helpful, although we didn't have to go that far. Lastly, just being at the city council meetings, actively participating and encouraging others to do the same is the most important thing you can do. If the council can be shown that this is a change that the city wants and is actively reaching out for, your chances are going to be a little better. I couldn't be at a lot of our council meetings because of other commitments, and I wish I could have, but it is such a good idea. Don't give up! It may take some time, but if you are persistent and have a good support system of other people who want the change too, you are already ahead of the game.

Now, because this chicken law changed here, I just have this feeling that a lot of people are going to go out and buy themselves some chicks so they can finally have hens! I'm excited and I really hope to see a hen in every yard, although I know that probably won't happen.

This week, I wanted to just touch on the most important parts of getting your chicks set up so that they grown into happy, healthy little hens for you.

• Keep your babies warm. You can usually buy the heat lamp and bulb at the same place you buy your chicks. They're just babies and they don't have their fluffy, feathery mamas to keep them warm. You're their mama now, it's up to you to keep them comfortable. 
• Feed them the proper food. Chicks need finely ground feed, called starter, to get them going. You might also think about putting a small container of palyground sand in their brooder box so that they can start getting grit. 
• Put them in an appropriately sized container. Your chicks need to be in a brooder box that gives them enough room to move about and to grow, and it also needs to be easy for you to clean out. You don't want your chicks to have a dirty house, the ammonia can harm their lungs.  You can use a cardboard box, a stock tank, or build a wooden box. It's up to you and your budget or abilities. 
• Make sure they have water. Chicks need to have fresh, clean water all of the time. All of the chicks we have ever raised have tended to like to poop on their waterer, so keeping it clean was almost a full time job. Access to clean water is a must. 
• Build them a good hen house. The house doesn't need to be the most elaborate or expensive, but it should be easy to clean,have a place for your chickens to roost at night and have layung boxes for later when they are ready to give you some eggs. Their run should be fenced with chicken wire to keep them in and other critters out. 
• Enjoy them! Chickens are fun to raise and fun to watch. Our hens chit chat all day long out there and it only takes a little while to learn which hen is making which noise. They are funny and have such unique personalities. Most of all feel great about raising a portion of your own food. Even if you can never do more than raise a couple of hens for eggs and plant a few containers full of veggies, you will be creating a relationship with some of the food you consume and that is one of the best feelings on the planet. 

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