Backyard poultry
Raising backyard chickens can provide you with fresh eggs, pest control, and hours of entertainment. Before you get started, here are a few considerations to keeping a healthy and happy chicken flock:
- Hens are productive egg layers for 2-4 years and have a life expectancy of up to 7 years. Egg production decreases as they age. Also, expect less eggs during the winter months.
- If you have a chicken coop or run area, aim for 10 square feet per chicken, and make sure they have access to soil or sand.
- Do not place nesting boxes directly below roosting areas. Chickens poop a lot at night, designating a different space for roosting will ensure your eggs are kept cleaner.
- What to do with the waste? Read this article from UGA about backyard poultry manure composting.
Backyard ducks
Ducks are relatively quiet birds, and often lay eggs more regularly than chickens do, and are less likely to bo broody. Ducks can also tolerate heat better than chickens, especially if given a source of water like a pond to cool off.
Before purchasing, do your research on breeds and select one that is appropriate for your goals. There is a wide variety of ducks for different purposes, from the egg laying ducks, to meat ducks, hybrids and show or ornamental ducks with more colorful feathers.
Visit this website to learn more about housing requirements for ducks.
Keeping multiple bird species
It is not uncommon to keep chickens, turkeys, guineas, geese and ducks together, however they do have different needs and behaviors, so keep this in mind, especially when planning the shelter for each type of bird. Another consideration for backyard poultry is to keep animals numbers to a manageable amount. Most bird flocks need a higher female to male ratio. In any scenario, keep in mind that domestic birds are preys and need adequate shelter from predators. Make sure you provide a safe and dry shelter for all your birds.
Learn more about poultry by clicking on the links below: