Keeping Chickens

Mother Earth News conducted a study that showed that free range chickens produced eggs that were lower in cholesterol and saturated fats, contained four to six times more vitamin D, and more vitamin E, beta-carotene, vitamin A  and omega-3 fatty acids.

It makes sense to provide your family with fresh, wholesome eggs instead of the pale, watery ones from the grocery stores.

Hens allowed out in the sunshine, eating fresh greens and bugs, lay eggs with a bright orange yolk. Most people say they can taste the difference.

 A few hens can provide all the eggs a family needs for a handful of chicken feed. In fact, if you have the room, you can grow your own poultry food and reduce the cost even more.

I've kept several breeds of birds. I started with New Hampshire reds and found them to be easy to care for and reliable layers as are the Buffs. I later had several mixed Bantams and loved the personalities and the mothering instinct of the hens.I did have problems with predators. Weasels are the worst since the are small and can squeeze through a tiny hole. I even had one come into my house through a dryer vent that wasn't hooked up. Some predators, like racoons and fishers, can reach through a wire and kill through a fence. Be sure your hen house is tight and secure.

If you decide to raise chickens, you can take satisfaction in knowing that not only will the birds be raised humanely, but they will provide you with hours of entertainment.