For The Love of Chickens.(Photo:Jack Boyd)
Being a chicken keeper is truly for the “I love chickens crowd”. It isn’t imperative that I have fresh eggs. I don’t need fresh eggs to survive. Really, I use less than a half dozen eggs a week. In terms of eggs, I can go to the organic store and buy them if I must have farm fresh eggs. I can buy many types of eggs from our local Publix or Winn Dixie supermarket. They are even available down the road. I know this because I travel US 13 in the rural area and see signs that say “eggs for sale.” I don’t raise chickens simply for the eggs. I really love birds and so, I like my grandmother and my own mother did. I have chickens.
I’m a chicken keeper because I enjoy my yard birds. I love their looks, sounds and their behaviors. Every one of my animals are important to me and each have a name. At daybreak when I arise, I think about them and am excited to go and tend to their very needs. The moment I walk out the squeaky back door, I know they’ve heard me as I’ve come through the door in hopes to find all well and tidy at their abode. I know they are aware of me because I hear their commotion within the coops and know they are bustling to get out. By the time I have reached their coops, I have already spoken to them and have told them how quickly I will try to get things ready for their entry back into their runs.
As a chicken keeper there are several consistent things I do daily to keep the farm running smoothly:
1. I begin every day by emptying all of the water containers and rinsing them out so that I can refill each one with fresh water. Fresh water is essential to healthy chickens. Leaving water in containers more than one day will bring about sour water and possible bacteria growth which is unhealthy for chickens. If that were not even true, I would change out the water every single day anyhow because I myself would not want to drink day-old water. My chickens deserve and receive clean water every single day.
2. Looking over the runs is of great importance to ensure the safety of my chickens. I walk the exteriors of the runs every day. This gives me opportunity to reattach wires, close openings, and cover holes. Chickens need safety from predators and the smallest opening can create an entry for disaster in the barnyard.
3. Each day I mix food for the chickens. I mix both scratch and crumbles. I do have my favorite brands and the chickens often let me know which they appreciate most as well. Today, I was at Tractor Supply (Macclenny)and purchased 2 fifty pound bags and 1 thirty pound bag of food including: scratch, crumbles and mixed scratch. Tomorrow, I will open those fresh bags and distribute portions among the flock. They will be so happy.
4. Weekly my chickens are given treats. Today, I purchased mealworms for them. After dishing up their food, I put a handful on top of the pile of mix. They so enjoy their treats and it makes the dinner time exciting to hear all of the hen talk.
5. Every evening at dusk, my chickens are closed in their coops. Some of my runs have pull strings to let the doors slide down and others have a side push slide. The whole reasoning behind their being secured inside a coop is for their safety. They cannot ward off predators and especially after dusk, they are lethargic and in a roost position. They cannot protect themselves from the enemy. Every night, I go twice to secure them. I go the first time to close their coop doors. I go a 2nd time to ensure I’ve closed all of the doors and secured all latches.
Being a chicken keeper I find that my love for them grows and grows. My care for not only the chickens but their environment such as the barnyard grows and expands as well. I seek to improve their living conditions and find ways to improve their way of life. What about you? Are you a chicken keeper? If so, visit our Facebook page and let us know the kinds of things that you do to ensure your flocks happiness. Certainly it’s all for the love of chickens. #chickens, #chickenlovers, #chickenkeepers, #farming
Josie