There's More to This Hobby than Meets the Eye

A recent article from NBC News, and shared through Meatingplace.com, brings to light an unfortunate outcome of the “locavore” movement: abandoned chickens.  (See http://www.nbcnews.com/health/backyard-chickens-dumped-shelters-when-hipsters-cant-cope-critics-say-6C10533508 for the full story.)  In an attempt to bring the source of food closer to home, many people with good intentions but little information have established flocks in urban settings without considering the consequences.  While raising chickens, ducks, and other poultry can be a great experience, it must be undertaken with a realistic, and not idealistic, attitude.  While my previous posts on Meat Salads have referenced many other sources, I would like to speak from experience of raising poultry in my younger days.  If you are considering starting a flock of your own, I hope my advice will either influence your decisions in how to care for your birds, or sway you to adopt guinea pigs rather than geese.  Here are some issues to consider:

1)      Bird Type

The term “poultry” can cover a wide range of species and breeds of birds, and extensive research should precede bringing birds home.  Don’t just pounce on the cutest chicks or ducklings that show up in feed stores in the spring.  Do you want to raise broilers for meat or layers for eggs, bantams for competition or peacocks for aesthetics?   While “commercial” breeds such as Cornish-Rocks (as broilers) and White Leghorns (as layers) might make for a bland flock with their white feathers and single combs, they are extremely efficient and give the most bang for their cluck.  Other breeds of chickens, as well as ducks, geese, etc., vary widely in meat-producing and egg-laying abilities, ranging from fair to excellent, so research is definitely a requirement in this regard.  For example, if you are interested in brown eggs, Rhode Island Red hens are a good choice, but make sure you specify for all female chicks from a hatchery; the male Rhode Island Reds can be vicious.  This ties into how temperaments should also be considered: while some breeds are known for docility, others, especially those originally bred for cockfighting, can be downright mean.  The African goose I raised was very possessive of our ducks, and went into “crazy mama mood” whenever I tried to get near them.  That being said, knowing how species and sexes interact will also help you decide the makeup of your flock.

2)      Input and Output

Like all domesticated animals, poultry rely on humans for their basic needs, so you must be up to the task.  Can you afford or construct a chicken coop that will keep out the elements and predators?  Where will you buy feed and equipment such as waterers, feeders, and nest boxes?  Is an outside water spigot handy to keep your birds easily and reliably hydrated?  Does your schedule allow for regular and sincere (not slapdash) care?  Do you know a local veterinarian that has practice with treating poultry?  If you do fulfill all these requirements, you can have a happy, productive flock that gives you more than eggs, meat, and charm.  Neighbors may not appreciate the pile of soiled bedding and excreta growing in your backyard, so a plan for properly disposing these must be established.  Noise is also a concern.  While roosters may crow heartily, hens can also squawk quite loudly, and geese are notoriously cacophonous.  Don’t even get me started on the ruckus guinea hens make.  Also, the odors that poultry generate can be quite strong, and if adequate ventilation does not spare your neighbors from them, conflicts may ensue.

3)      Bye-bye, Birdie

In the NBC News article mentioned above, many layers are abandoned when novice owners make the shocking realization that hens live way beyond their egg-laying years.  However, though not specified as “meat birds,” retired laying hens can still contribute to mealtime.  Our old layers were butchered at the same local facility that processed our broilers and made excellent chicken noodle soup.  Knowing where to send birds for humane, sanitary butchering and packaging is essential, as I can hardly imagine many neighborhoods and cities condoning at-home butchering in the backyard.  If you make the choice to remove poultry from your home but they are not suitable for consumption, where will you send them?  When my family moved from our hobby farm, we brought our birds to a legitimate poultry and small animal auction.  Events such as these are much more well-suited than local animal shelters for taking in poultry.  Knowing where poultry enthusiasts gather to bring home new birds will help ensure your flock’s health in case you can no longer care for them.

                Raising your own poultry can be very rewarding, but it comes with responsibilities.  Don’t forget that poultry are not just feathered lawn ornaments: they need care and protection just like any other pet or livestock.  Poultry species and breeds cover a wide gamut of sizes, shapes, temperaments, and purposes, and you should only raise the ones that fit your abilities and needs and interact well together.  Have a plan for the end of your birds’ lives, and whether they are destined to be a winner or a dinner, fill their days with proper care. And of course, make sure your endeavors fit within the statutes in place wherever you live.

If you’d like to learn more about raising birds in an urban environment, check out this resource from the American Poultry Association: http://www.amerpoultryassn.com/Raising_birds_city.htm