For some this choice is linked to the memory of peasant grandparents, for others to the love for those splendid animals that are the hens, for others to the desire to improve quality than what he brings to the table. Whatever the reasons that prompted you to embark on this long (chickens can live more than 10 years!) Adventure, you are making a difference. Using only a hen-house from outside and a couple of chickens for more!
Help the earth one egg at a time
When you think of industrial farms, you immediately connect them to pigs and cattle, but intensive chicken farms also have a very high environmental impact between operating costs and waste disposal. Raising layers in your own backyard it can therefore become a rebellious choice to hit these reckless breeders where it hurts them most, the wallet. It is a drop in the sea, you might say, but everyone seems to forget that the sea is made of drops. And you already make a difference to your feathered friends that they can enjoy garden chicken coops that respect the welfare of the hen and are raised on the ground. Ideally, each hen needs at least 2 square meters to scratch, so choose how much space to dedicate to your animals and then proceed to purchase the hens.
Don't worry if it's very small and you don't think you can keep enough chickens to stop buying supermarket eggs, a single hen can lay more than 200 eggs in a single year. Just one small chicken coop and a couple of chickens to start yours self.
If you decide you want to grow them from chicks (and who wouldn't want to? They are very sweet!), Know that these wads of feathers need a lot of care and that the first eggs will arrive only after the sixth month of the hen's life. Don't think they don't produce anything though! The manure of these animals is in fact very rich in nutrients and, after a minimum processing, you can use them to fertilize your garden or your flowers. It will inspire you as you dedicate yourself to cleaning the chicken coop.
The egg comes to the beak (and belly)
This saying is very clear: the quality of the eggs depends on the quality of the hen's feed. So let's remember to fill in the mangers periodically with water and grains such as corn, wheat and wet bran, adding hard bread and vegetables from time to time. It is the variation of foods that makes yours better quality eggs. A trick to have eggs with yellow yolk and perfect for making fresh pasta? Increase the percentage of corn in your hens' diet.
If you let them wander around the garden, they will keep weeds and insects under control: they are in fact greedy for larvae, crickets and snails. A nice service for your plants, especially if you have a vegetable garden, but remember to enclose it because chickens are fond of fruit and vegetables. If you still weren't convinced you wanted to raising hens on the ground, know that with these diet variations that our feathered friends enjoy hunting, they lower the cholesterol levels naturally present in eggs, they will have less saturated fats and more omega-3 fatty acids (thanks to insects!), which you normally find in fish blue or in nuts such as walnuts and almonds. In short, bringing your eggs to the table will be a satisfaction and a profit.
