Summary: I don't claim to be an expert on raising chickens, but here's the knowledge gained on the subject thus far from experience and research: Caveat: everyone's approach is going to be different. Purist approach versus doing what's within your reach. It doesn't need to be perfect to be a worthwhile pursuit. Eggs How many eggs, how long to produce: ours started laying at 18-20 weeks and now are giving about 1 egg per day (expect less in the winter). Source of chicks Breeding vs. ordering Feed * Growing grain versus purchasing it... * Supplementing feed with other sources: greens, house compost, stable cleanings * Feed: around $9 for 50 lbs of laying pellets. Will contain soy and corn. Make sure it's not GMO. * Feeding chickens from mostly pasture and farm produced input: http://waldeneffect.org/blog/Chicken_forest_pasture_experiment:_Year_1/ Watering * Chicken waterer: drip vs. tray (gravity fed) * Keep off the ground for sanitation Predators Can't kill off everything, nor would you want to. If you have problems, fencing or structural is the best solution. Accommodations * Coop with fixed yard * Eggmobile with netting (moveable). Follow the cows, seems better for large operations * Chicken tractor * Free range (in the traditional sense, the non-commercial term) * Neighbors approach with our barn * Greenhouse http://matronofhusbandry.wordpress.com/2009/10/21/free-range-sustainable-right/ Egg allergies: try eating the yolks raw, shooter style or in drinks, smoothies, etc. If you purchase eggs... * Free range is most often a misused term. Free range means an open door to a packed confinement coop. * Chickens are not vegetarian. A vegetarian diet will produce less healthy eggs. * Once again, you really need to see the farm that's producing your eggs. Labels are convenient for us, but they are also convenient for hiding bad farming practices from you... So, when possible, buy directly from the farmer. Go see the chickens in person.
