A Few Thoughts...

So, I've been doing a lot of research in the homesteading department, trying to prepare myself for the journey ahead. One topic of particular interest is Chickens. I have always had a fond affection for chickens, in all their quirky glory. These little fluffy bundles of energy fascinate me. Always on the hunt for the next tasty morsel, scratching about in the dust without a care in the world. I have this vision of myself in the garden collecting vegetables, early morning sunlight shimmering on the dew, with a little flock of hens following behind me, pecking as we go.  The world of chickens is one I look forward to venturing into.

The decision to keep chickens on our little farm is an easy one to make. We have the space and the means, so the project is a go. But there are still a few decisions to be made...

1. Do we want a Rooster?

  Well, we are really only interested in the eggs for food and the manure for compost, so a rooster is not necessary. (Hens lay eggs regardless of a rooster being around) Also, we are not much of meat eaters. We will both eat seafood, he eats chicken, and neither of us eat red meat or pork. So there is not much need for breeding the hens. I think, for right now, having just girls is best for our little flock.

2. Which chicks to choose?

   There are so many different varieties of bird out there to choose from. Recently, backyard chicken keeping has seen a revival, and with the growing interest in breeds, more have become available. The selection of looks for birds in your flock is large. Many of the exotic breeds are rather interesting. For example, there is the fuzzy, fluffy, Silkie:

With its fur-like plumage and dark skin (a silkies skin is black) this bird gives a unique look to any backyard flock. Then there are the feather-footed bantam varieties:

Personally I prefer the standard featherless-footed variety. The bantams are a smaller stock, and as this is Florida, I want to have smaller size birds that are less likely to overheat.

With so many options, where do I start?

I know I want good layers, with consistent production of decent sized eggs. Also, I know I want a docile bird that is easy going and friendly. I want to be able to handle my birds like pets. Just as a side note, I thought an assortment of breeds would be interesting as well, visually as well as for egg variety.

Let's look at some options:

The Sussex is a great all around bird. Prolific layers, with a hen averaging between 200-220 eggs a year. Docile and calm, these birds are not flighty, so high fencing is not required.

Then there is the Orpington, with her heavy body and short legs, this bird does not require much in the way of fencing. Friendly and kind this bird is often seen following its owners around, or even taking lead from the family dog.

Wyandottes are one of the most beautiful chickens around. They come in many different colors and are well known for their sturdiness. They are dependable egg layers, with large dark brown eggs.

One of my absolute favorites! The Easter Egger! This chicken is so cool. They come in a variety of plumage colors and so do their eggs. They can lay eggs anywhere from blue, to green, brown, cream, white, and sometimes even pink. Their smaller body size makes them a better choice for the Florida heat and they are rather friendly. Check out these neat eggs:

So, with all of these choices to consider, I think I need to do some more reading. I may get a few of each to give them a try, or I might choose a breed that I didn't share with you today. Who knows?

The next great debate is the coop. Once we get out on the land and start working on some of the existing structures, we may be able to convert one into a nice coop. I would like to keep the girls up near the house next to the garden if possible.

Thanks for reading, and if you have any tips or suggestions, pleases leave them below.

TTFN!!

~~Lolianne Rivercat