Chickens, Chickens Everywhere.
Step into any backyard hobbyist, rural hopeful, or full-fledged homestead and you are probably going to find chickens. They are a staple amongst anyone looking to be a little more self-sufficient, and for many reasons
The gateway drug.
Chickens are often referred to as the “gateway drug”. They seem to be where so many of us start. We get a few chicks, raise them up, play with them, care for them and suddenly we get eggs. Well, those eggs turn into either breakfast or an experiment of incubating and hatching the next couple of feathered friends. Before we know it, those couple turn into a few, then turn into several, and suddenly we begin wondering how we got here.
So what does it take?
For a beginner, chickens are arguably the easiest of all farm stock to keep. They don’t require any special shelters other than somewhere they can be out of the rain (they are not a fan of getting wet) and out of the snow if that’s in your area. They want a safe place to sleep, preferably off the ground and out of reach of predators. Easy access to food and water, a nest box for them to leave you an egg or two, and that’s really it. If you plan on keeping several, make sure they get the space they need, and they really love being outside.