5 REASONS YOU MAY NOT WANT TO GET CHICKENS

Should you get backyard chickens? Yes the fresh eggs and funny chicken antics may make it worth it, but before doing so, it is important that you go in with a clear understanding about why it might not be the best idea for you. Here are 5 reasons why you may not want to raise backyard chickens.

1. THEY ARE WORK

Having chickens, like having any pet, means additional chores including feeding and giving them water, cleaning their coop, repairing housing and taking measures to keep them safe and healthy. If having fresh eggs doesn't get you excited, chickens can quickly become just another burden in your life. No doubt, it is easier to simply buy eggs.

2. NEED TO KEEP THEM SAFE

Unless you live in an area with no predators (which is basically nowhere), you will need to take measures to keep your chickens safe. You have 2 options for raising your chickens during the day, free range or in an outdoor run. Either way, chickens need to be locked up safely each night in their coop. So what does that mean? You have to be home every night to put them to bed and get up early everyday to let them out. Chickens don't care if you want to sleep in.

3. CAN WRECK YOUR LANDSCAPING

If you choose to free range your chickens, they can wreak havoc on your planting beds and if you are meticulous about your landscape, it could drive you crazy. Chickens love to scratch exposed dirt or mulch which causes a mess and sometimes death to the plants.

4. POOP

Chickens crap a lot everywhere and it ain't pretty. Have a patio? Be prepared to be hosing it off frequently. See the ladies above? They have no problem doing their business all over the patio furniture. If you only have a few chickens, it shouldn't be too bad but a dozen or so equals a lot of poop.

5. COST MONEY

Raising chickens cost money. Set up costs include a coop and a solid run and then continuing costs include feed, scratch gains, shavings for bedding in the coop and buying new chicks. Chickens only lay prolifically for about 3 years, so you will have to replace them every so often. Although a dozen eggs from a truly chicken friendly farm can be quite expensive, it is doubtful you are going to save money raising your own chickens.