There aren’t many more things enjoyable than porch sitting on a warm summer evening while enjoying conversations with friends and neighbors. It’s one of the highlights of living in a small town in the rural parts of Greene County. Perhaps the only addition that could make such an evening better is having a flock of free-range chickens roaming the backyard and pecking at the ground. That’s right… chickens!
Keeping backyard chickens as pets and for their eggs is a common hobby, and recently we talked to Mandy Jones, of Brave in Wayne Township (formerly an employee of the USDA), about the flock she keeps free ranging in her backyard.
According to Mandy: “The egg quality you get is completely different from what you can get in the store. Backyard free-range chickens have a much healthier and varied diet, so their yolk color is often a dark orange color plus they taste so much better. You know you are getting quality eggs. They really aren’t much work to take care of, but they provide my family with food, and they are also entertaining. They are also a very good natural form of pest control for the yard and garden.”
If you have a large backyard, and like quality fresh eggs, keeping chickens may be for you. Care is quite easy, and they don’t make too much noise. If you have a rooster in your flock, he will crow from time to time, but that generally isn’t very bothersome. Listening to a rooster crow in the morning can often be a rather relaxing way to start the day – certainly better than loud news channels or the hectic distractions of modern life. Perhaps the biggest downfall of free ranging chickens is, if you have mulched flower beds, you’ll need to keep them fenced in. Chickens love kicking through mulch and hunting bugs. In our gardens around Brave, we have found that a short decorative fence is generally more than adequate to keep things under control.
When it comes to chicken breeds, Mandy says: “I think my favorite [breeds] are any of the Wyandotte’s; they are some of the best for beginners. I have Silver Laced Wyandotte’s, Golden Laced Wyandotte’s and Blue Wyandotte’s. They are all by far some of the friendliest chickens I’ve ever had; they’re very hardy and good egg layers. They are basically feathered dogs!”
Feathered dogs is an accurate term to describe free-range chickens used to being around their caretakers. They will often follow you around looking for treats, and some breeds like the Buff Orpington can often enjoy being held. Gently, of course!
When it comes to roosters, it is generally best to have a maximum of one per flock, and it is always a good idea to monitor them. Some breeds, and some roosters in general, can get aggressive towards people. If you are thinking about having a flock of your own, it is always best to do some research. Look up videos on the internet, and familiarize yourself with various breeds, what sorts of coops make the best homes, what you should feed them, and all the little tricks and tips that can make keeping free-range chickens a lot of fun!