Homesteading and Chickens

Homesteading and chickens go hand in hand. After all, no homestead is truly complete without a flock about. These wonderful birds are a gift to the self reliant, providing us with eggs, meat and a productive garden.

Homesteading and chickens, and why they go hand in hand.

Learning how to care for chickens is a good start to self reliance.  Your own small - or even large - flock is one of the first things you should invest in when starting the homesteading life.

Here are four reasons why:

They're Economical

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If you’re looking for an easy, self-reliant form of food, look no further than chickens. I should know. I’ve kept chickens - and kept them alive - for more than 20 years. It was the first type of livestock I kept, and I’m still keeping chickens today.

You can pursue homesteading and chickens on a limited budget. Unlike goats, cows, or pigs, chickens are relatively inexpensive to purchase and feed.

Their housing and fencing are also inexpensive, compared to other farm animals. For example, you can build your own hen house or chicken tractor using scraps of lumber from old garage doors, wooden pallets, and other free sources of wood.

Plus, if you keep a flock of six to ten chickens, they'll produce enough eggs for you and your family, as well as some extra to sell to cover feed costs and other expenses. 

Better still, keep a larger flock and invite friends and family members to participate in an informal co-op. They help pay for the chicks and the feed, and they'll get fresh, healthy eggs at a low cost, and so will you.

Homesteading and Chickens 
Can Be Profitable

If you have sufficient space and energy, you can easily keep a flock of a hundred chickens or more. Mind you, like any business, there is a lot of work involved, and most of it is physical. You will likely be carrying feed bags, moving chicken tractors if you use them, and opening and shutting up the coops in the mornings and the evenings. 

Also, you will need to market your business to ensure you have enough customers to cover your costs. Still, with a good marketing campaign, you can sell your large surplus of eggs for a part-time income. Keep a few roosters as part of your homesteading campaign, and your hens will produce enough broilers for you to process and sell.

They Are Healthy

Most of us who homestead aren't just interested in saving money (although we do!), we also want a better quality of life. Good health is crucial to enjoying life to its fullest. By raising our own meat and eggs free of antibiotics and growth hormones, we become healthier, happier, and more productive. 

Some studies have suggested that eggs from free-range chickens have up to one-third less cholesterol than factory eggs and almost one-fourth the amount of saturated fat. They may even have up to twice the amount of omega-3 fatty acids - the fats that help fight heart disease. 

Eggs from free-range chickens also have six times the amount of vitamin D and three times as much vitamin E. 

Keep your chickens in a chicken tractor, and you'll increase the health benefits of the eggs they produce. Your flock will be eating lots of fresh grass, weeds, and insects, the type of living food chickens should be eating.

They'll be healthier, and you, in return, will become healthier as well.

A Vital Part of Permaculture

Want to improve your soil? Keep chickens in a chicken tractor. 

It's called permaculture, and it's a way of working with nature rather than against it. Keep your flock in a chicken tractor, and they'll help control weeds and insects as well as provide plenty of manure for your garden. Give them time and move their tractor frequently, and they'll make your lawn lush and verdant.

Plus, chickens will provide you with chicken manure. Chicken manure is one of the most powerful fertilizers you can provide for your garden. Only be sure to compost that manure first, or it might burn the roots of your plants. Adding chickens to your homestead is the fastest way to a healthy organic garden, and a delightful way to make your homesteading more self-sufficient.

Plus, chickens are fun. So, if you've never kept chickens before, start small, but definitely get started. Get two hens for every family member, and you'll be on your way to healthy, nutritious self-reliance.

Related article:  Raising organic chickens.

Learn More About Raising Chickens

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About the Author

My name is Sue Merriam, and I began the journey of self-reliant living more than three decades ago, which enabled me to stay home with my children. Fifteen years ago, I founded Joyful Homesteading to help others save money and face the future without fear. My goal is to give you practical, honest advice so you can save money and experience the joy of simple living. I hope you join me.

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