Homesteaders and those with small family farms, as well as those in rural and even suburban areas with large backyards, often think of branching out from produce farming to raising chickens. This is a logical step. Chickens are easy and inexpensive to acquire and raise. You don’t need to butcher them because they have worth as egg layers. There are downsides to raising chickens though. Chicken coops are often smelly and difficult to clean, and chicken yards are dismal places devoid of greenery. There is another way to raise chickens. Free range chickens, whether they are given the run of your property or are carefully pastured, are increasing in popularity. Consider giving this humane method of egg production a try.
The term free range chickens refers to chickens that are given regular access to pasture where they can forage for their own food. These chickens eat grass and other plants, insects, and worms. Some people let their free range chicken run wild. If you have a lot of land, this is an option, but it is not the best one. Chickens that are allowed to run wild are in great danger from predators. There is also the chance that they will stray off your property, annoying the neighbors, and possibly never coming back. Egg gathering will be very difficult because these chickens may select hard to find places to lay their eggs.
Pastured chickens are kept in movable pens or houses. These “pastures” are moved from place to place giving the chickens fresh grazing areas on a regular basis. With this set up, your chickens will have some protection from predators, and you will be better able to keep track of them and their eggs.
Getting started in raising free range chickens is fairly easy. A pen can be constructed of chicken wire. Make sure that there is adequate space for pasture and for the number of chickens you are planning on getting to move around. Give the chickens some tarp over part of the enclosure. Chickens do not like being out in the sun. Four hens will usually provide more eggs than one family can eat, so there is no need to acquire a large number of them if they are only for your own use. You will keep the chickens in the enclosure, moving it as needed. Eggs will be easy to find. Make sure you collect eggs regularly. Most hens need to be about five months old before they start laying eggs so you will need to be patient.
For overnights and winter, your chickens will need a bit more shelter. This doesn’t need to be a complicated coop. You can construct a simple wooden box. Make sure there is at least four square feet for each hen you have and include perches in your design. If you include nesting boxes, there is a chance that your hens will use those for egg laying making gathering very easy! In the winter, cover the floor of the box with wood shavings and hay to provide additional warmth.
Free range chickens are not care free. You will still have to supplement their diet with high quality chicken feed and make sure that they have regular access to water. (Check it twice a day in the winter to keep it unfrozen.) They are definitely less expensive and easier to keep that traditional cooped or caged birds though. The eggs and meat are tastier and more nutritious too.
Add some free range chickens to your homestead or farm. You will enjoy nearly free eggs, and it might be the start of a profitable business.
