Do you raise chickens, rabbits, or bees?

[george]

It seems that a lot of people are buying hens and starting chicken coops in their backyard. I've also noticed that rabbits and bees are getting more popular. What do you think of the idea?

Hartford Advocate: News - A Chicken in Every Yard
Portland Set to Consider Urban Chicken Ordinance
Urban Farming: Back to the land in your tiny backyard

On one hand, I see how raising animals promotes food independence, reduces the environmental impact of industrial ranching, and offers protection against food contamination. On the other hand, I see how neighbors might object, there's a small risk of disease, and there's a concern that chicken coops lower property values.

I'd like to hear from people who are doing this (or who have neighbors who are). How big is your yard? Have you had any problems that you didn't expect?

[blairgarden]

Raising chickens in a backyard is a great idea. There are a lot of benefits beyond food production to having a flock in your backyard.

If you let the chickens tour your garden, they can do a lot of work for you. They actually make wonderful tools by eating garden pests and weeds, using their poop as organic fertilizer, and scratching/aerating the soil.

Now, we do mainly use our 20 chickens for egg production. But they are very friendly animals. And for the record, 20 would be a lot in a small backyard and I could see how that many chickens could be annoying in a neighborhood. But three or so chickens in a small backyard shouldn't be any problem or concern for neighbors. I have heard of city ordinances allowing hens but not roosters. Hens are pretty quiet and docile. My kids even hold them daily and they are making great pets.

Chickens are a great addition to an urban farm, urban homesteading or backyard sustainable agriculture. And you dont even need a large coop for a small flock. They make some chicken tractors (coops that you can move around) that are similar to a dog house and small. I think the folks that oppose backyard chickens are thinking of chickens in large numbers.

[MasterComposter]

I don't raise chickens, but I always look forward to reading about the local Dallas Morning News gardening columnists tales of her urban chickens.


There are too many feral cats on my block, thanks to a crazy cat lady. But it's fun to think about.

[dumbledorf17]

Chickens are good nitrogen sources for composting. My 20 chickens provide me with enough manure to mix with grass clippings and leaves I have stored from last autumn. I cannot apply their manure directly to my plants because their droppings contain uric acid which can burn the plants. Chickens don't pee. The uric acid in their droppings is the waste eliminated from the kidneys. But if these droppings are left alone for a time until the moisture has evaporated, these are very good for composting because of the very nitrogen content of their droppings.

[george]

Originally Posted by blairgarden

I have heard of city ordinances allowing hens but not roosters. Hens are pretty quiet and docile. My kids even hold them daily and they are making great pets.

If you have a chicken coop without roosters, do the hens still lay eggs? Or do they need a Rooster around to do that?

[ladybug]

If you have a chicken coop without roosters, do the hens still lay eggs? Or do they need a Rooster around to do that?

Hens can still lay eggs without a rooster. They begin laying eggs when they are 4-5 months old. Hen produces eggs in response to light patterns----long days or short days---During long days, a hen lays an egg every 24 hours but the interval lengthens during short daylight days. The eggs that are for sale in stores are not fertilized therefore they will not hatch.

[cosmic_girl]

Chickens, especially those that roam freely in your garden, are good feed pullers and insect eaters. Before you purchase the ones you want to grow, make sure that the have ample space and that their feed and watering equipment is well protected against contamination. Chickens are hardy things, but are also susceptible to getting sick too.

And as mentioned, their droppings make good addition to the compost pile!

[fleurdelys]

I would actually love to try taking care of bees. A lot of people are hesitant to do so because of the possibility of being stung, plus the danger of being allergic to it. I have been to a bee farm and found that bees are generally quiet creatures, and like any other animal, would react if they were threatened.

I'd love to be able to produce my own honey, and even make other products from beeswax. I'm just not so sure how receptive my neighbors would be if I do decided to put up bee boxes in my backyard...

[sakura]

Even those living in the city can keep bees. Flowers don't necessarily have to be close as the bees can fly several miles. Steps to make sure that the bees won't bother and threaten the neighbors must be taken though.

Here's a few things you have to look into to when considering keeping bees:
- high fences to help keep a bees flight path above people's heads, as well as help keep the bees out of your neighbor's eyes. It also provides protection for the bees against wind and other elements.
- bees need a good source of water, therefore make sure you provide them a good source so they keep off your neighbor's yard.

You can also check with your local government to check on their laws about beekeeping, and they may even be able to give you detailed guidelines in keeping bees.

[rosiethumb]

I've been thinking about bringing my farming tendencies a step higher by raising my own chickens to provide me with eggs and meat.

At least I will know what my chickens are eating and eventually what I'm gonna get. I read somewhere that commercially raised chickens got lots of antibiotics and hormones which we can also get by eating meat and eggs. and I know this is not good.

[george]

I've always been a fan of rabbits. They eat just about anything, their waste makes great fertilizer (with less odor than chicken droppings), and they're cute.

I guess that last part would be a problem - I can't imagine raising rabbits and then butchering them myself.

[fireflies]

A friend of mine in Virginia is raising Californian white rabbits. I noticed they have finer bones and good meat.