Backyard Chickens 101

All you need to know to have a roost of your own
 

Spring is coming—I promise. And coming with it are fresh eggs from your backyard flock. If you’re thinking about starting a new flock, here are some tips before getting started. And even if you’re already an urban poultry farmer, a few reminders couldn’t hurt.

Q: Which breeds are best for a backyard flock?

A: There are over 200 breeds of chickens with many varieties and colors to choose from and selecting your urban flock can be a lot of fun. For those who have not raised chickens before or those looking for egg-laying hens, a naturally gentle breed is preferable. Cochins, Buff orpingtons and Golden Laced Wyandottes are naturally less aggressive, making them easier to care for and have around your home, which is particularly important if you have children or pets at home. These breeds are generally good layers, but they might not always be the most productive.

Alternatively, Plymouth Rocks, Rhode Island Reds and White Leghorns are known for being some of the best egg-layers with high production rates. You are sure to get a lot of eggs from these productive girls. Lastly, Ameraucanas and Aracaunas— known as the “Easter egg” chickens—lay beautiful blue-green eggs sure to be a hit as members of your flock.

Q: Do I need a rooster?

A: This is a question that I get asked a lot. A rooster is not needed for a hen to lay eggs—#girlpower. She will produce table eggs ready for eating regardless if roosters fertilize the eggs. If you would like to have fertilized eggs, however, or to hatch and raise your own chickens, you do need a rooster.

Q: How long will a chicken produce eggs?

A: Hens will usually begin laying eggs at about 20 weeks of age, depending on the breed. The gestation period for a chicken is a mere 21 days—lucky ducks! As a member of an urban or backyard flock, hens will lay eggs for about five to seven years, and could live for eight to 10 years.

Q: Do I need to wash the eggs?

A: YES! Wash dirty eggs in water that is approximately 20° hotter than the egg temperature. The body temperature of a hen is about 106°F, meaning you should use water that is around 90–120°F, depending on when you collect the eggs. Note that washing eggs in cool water actually creates a vacuum as the pores on the egg shrink, pulling unwanted bacteria inside even faster. You may also use some mild natural soap with this hot water process, if desired.

To help your eggs stay clean, you can:

• Clean nesting boxes often and always keep fresh shavings or bedding in them.
• Place your roosting areas higher than nesting boxes. Chickens like to roost in the highest part of the coop.

You should also know that even with the cleanest boxes, you will still end up with a dirty egg from time to time. After washing, always refrigerate to extend the shelf life of the egg, which is one month after the date of collection when properly refrigerated.

Fun Fact: I’m often asked what the difference is between a white or brown egg, and whether one is healthier than the other. The difference all boils down to the color of the chicken’s earlobe! All eggs are created equal in terms of nutrition.

Q: What happens if I forget to collect the eggs?

A: As a general practice, try to gather eggs early and often. If you can manage it, collect eggs twice each day, which can help keep the eggs clean and prevent the chickens from eating them. If you allow eggs to sit in nesting boxes overnight, it often results in soiled or broken eggs, so it is best to discard eggs that are not collected each day.

Q: What are the best maintenance (feed, housing, medicine) practices for my urban flock?

A: Feed/Water: It is critically important that we are mindful of being the best caretakers of our animals as possible. Well-balanced feed for your egg-laying hens can easily be found at your local feed store. Be sure to only buy the type for egg-layers, as it contains all of the ingredients for their dietary needs. Egg laying takes a lot of calcium from a hen’s body, so they will need some crushed oyster shells mixed with their feed or provided in a separate feeder that is available to them when they need it. Clean, cool and abundant water should be provided at all times. Feeders and waterers can be found either online or at your local feed store.

Housing: Housing for your flock can range from very simple to extravagant—depending on your space and budget. Whatever housing you choose, the important factors to consider are protection from both hot and cold weather. This may include items like heaters, heat lamps, fans or misters. Also consider potential predators (yes, even in urban areas!) like opossums, foxes and raccoons. Don’t forget that chickens can fly and will venture to tops of backyard fences if the opportunity presents itself. Provide nesting boxes with clean shavings for hens to lay eggs as well as some type of perch for them to roost. Round perches are preferred as it is more comfortable for their feet. A place to scratch and exhibit normal chicken-type behaviors like dust-bathing, preening and cleaning is necessary as well.

Vaccination/Medicine: Another important topic for top-notch care of your hens that I teach a great deal about is biosecurity. Simply put, it means implementing measures to reduce chances of spreading disease. If you introduce a new chick or hen to a flock you already have, isolate that hen or chick for at least seven to ten days to observe her and check for any signs or symptoms of sickness. If you observe any signs of disease, immediately contact your poultry veterinarian and they can prescribe the necessary treatment. Also, do not visit your friends’ flocks or the feed store without washing your hands, changing your clothes and shoes before and after. A disinfectant spray for your shoes is a great thing to use after returning from a trip to the feed store or from a friend’s house! Simple precautions like these can lessen the chance of spreading diseases between flocks and ensure healthy and happy hens.

If you live in the city of Columbus, visit the Columbus Public Health website for information regarding regulations and permit applications for backyard chickens in your neighborhood. For tips regarding vaccinations for an urban flock, visit ediblecolumbus. com.