Raising Chickens for Eggs & Meat

Chickens are the gateway livestock to homestead self-sufficiency. They provide fresh eggs, high-quality meat, pest control, garden fertilizer, and endless entertainment. With proper care, a small flock can supply your family with clean protein while teaching valuable stewardship lessons.

Why Raise Chickens?

Fresh eggs daily: 5-6 hens provide 2+ dozen eggs weekly
High-quality meat: Know exactly how your food was raised
Pest control: Chickens eat insects, ticks, and grubs
Fertilizer production: Excellent compost for gardens
Low maintenance: Easier than most pets
Educational: Teach children responsibility and life cycles
Food security: Independent protein source during shortages

Choosing the Right Breeds

Best Dual-Purpose Breeds

These heritage breeds provide both eggs and meat:

Rhode Island Red

Excellent brown egg layers (250+ eggs/year)
Hardy, cold-tolerant, good foragers
Docile temperament, good with children
Roosters make good meat birds

Buff Orpington

Friendly, broody hens (will hatch eggs)
Large brown eggs, 200+ per year
Good meat production, plump body
Cold hardy with fluffy feathers

Australorp

World record egg layers (300+ eggs/year)
Calm, quiet birds good for suburbs
Black feathers with green sheen
Good meat quality when culled

Best Egg-Laying Breeds

Leghorn: White eggs, 280+ per year, excellent foragers
Sussex: Light brown eggs, calm temperament
New Hampshire: Brown eggs, good mothers
Easter Eggers: Blue/green eggs, colorful variety

Best Meat Breeds

Cornish Cross: Fast-growing (8 weeks), tender meat
Freedom Rangers: Slower-growing (12 weeks), better foragers
Delaware: Heritage breed, good dual-purpose
Jersey Giant: Largest breed, excellent roasters

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Housing Your Flock

Coop Requirements

Space: 4 square feet per bird in coop, 10 sq ft in run
Ventilation: Prevents moisture and ammonia buildup
Nesting boxes: One box per 4-5 hens
Roosting bars: 8-10 inches per bird, 2-3 feet high
Easy cleaning: Removable roosts, accessible nests
Predator protection: Secure doors, buried hardware cloth

Coop Design Essentials

Foundation and Floor

Raised 6-12 inches to prevent moisture
Concrete, wood, or dirt floor options
Deep litter method for easy maintenance
Drainage to prevent standing water

Walls and Siding

Insulation optional in moderate climates
Plywood, T1-11, or board and batten siding
Southern exposure for winter sun
Overhangs protect from rain

Ventilation System

Soffit vents near roof line
Low vents for summer cooling
Avoid drafts at roosting level
Adjustable for seasonal changes

Nesting Boxes

12" x 12" x 12" minimum size
18 inches off the ground
Slanted roof prevents roosting
Easy access for egg collection
Soft bedding (wood shavings, straw)

Free-Range vs. Confined Systems

Biblical Perspective on Animal Care

"A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel." - Proverbs 12:10

Free-Range Benefits

Natural foraging behavior
Higher quality eggs (omega-3s, vitamins)
Pest control in gardens
Fertilizer distribution
Lower feed costs

Free-Range Challenges

Predator losses
Garden damage
Eggs laid in random locations
Neighbor complaints possible

Fenced Run Systems

6-foot fencing prevents most predators
Hardware cloth better than chicken wire
Moveable runs for pasture rotation
Covers protect from aerial predators

Feeding Your Flock

Commercial Feed Options

Starter feed (0-8 weeks): 20-22% protein for chicks
Grower feed (8-16 weeks): 16-18% protein
Layer feed (16+ weeks): 16% protein, added calcium
Meat bird feed: 20-22% protein for rapid growth

Natural Feeding Strategies

Pasture-Based Feeding

Quality pasture can provide 30% of nutrition
Rotate chickens to prevent overgrazing
Plant clover, chicory, and other forages
Allow access to bug-rich areas

Garden Integration

Chickens clean up crop residues
Feed excess vegetables and fruits
Avoid onions, chocolate, avocado (toxic)
Compost scraps through chickens

Supplemental Feeding

Grit: Insoluble granite grit for digestion
Oyster shell: Calcium source for laying hens
Kelp meal: Natural minerals and vitamins
Herbs: Oregano, garlic for natural health support

Health Management

Disease Prevention

Clean water: Fresh water daily, clean containers weekly
Dry bedding: Change when wet or soiled
Proper ventilation: Prevents respiratory issues
Quarantine: Isolate new birds for 30 days
Biosecurity: Clean boots between coops

Natural Health Remedies

Apple cider vinegar: 1 Tbsp per gallon water (digestive health)
Diatomaceous earth: Food grade, mixed in feed (parasites)
Garlic: Crushed in water (immune support)
Oregano oil: Natural antibiotic properties
Probiotics: Support gut health naturally

Common Problems and Solutions

Egg Eating

Causes: Boredom, overcrowding, insufficient calcium
Solutions: Collect eggs frequently, add calcium, provide entertainment

Feather Pecking

Causes: Overcrowding, protein deficiency, boredom
Solutions: More space, increase protein, add diversions

Decreased Egg Production

Causes: Molting, shorter days, stress, age
Solutions: Supplemental lighting, reduce stress, cull old hens

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Predator Protection

Common Predators

Foxes: Dig under fences, hunt day and night
Raccoons: Dexterous hands, climb and dig
Hawks/owls: Aerial attacks during day/night
Weasels: Small gaps, kill multiple birds
Dogs: Often the biggest threat in suburban areas
Snakes: Eat eggs and chicks

Protection Strategies

Hardware cloth: 1/2" mesh, not chicken wire
Buried fencing: 12" deep or apron to prevent digging
Automatic doors: Timer-controlled coop access
Motion lights: Deter nocturnal predators
Guardian animals: Livestock guardian dogs, geese
Electric fencing: Multi-strand system for large areas

Breeding and Hatching

Natural Breeding

Rooster ratio: 1 rooster per 8-12 hens
Broody hens: Some breeds naturally incubate eggs
Incubation period: 21 days for chicken eggs
Fertile eggs: Collect daily, store pointed end down

Artificial Incubation

Incubator temperature: 99.5°F for forced air models
Humidity: 55% for first 18 days, 65% for hatching
Turning: 3-5 times daily until day 18
Candling: Check development at days 7 and 14

Raising Chicks

Brooder temperature: 95°F first week, reduce 5°F weekly
Heat source: Heat lamp, heat plate, or ceramic heater
Space: 1 square foot per chick first 4 weeks
Water: Shallow containers to prevent drowning
Feed: Starter feed with 20-22% protein

Processing for Meat

"And YHWH Elohim commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat." - Genesis 2:16

The Creator gave us dominion over animals for food. Humane processing honors both the animal and the gift of life.

When to Process

Cornish Cross: 8-9 weeks (6-8 pounds)
Heritage breeds: 16-20 weeks
Spent layers: After 2-3 years of production
Roosters: When aggressive or excess numbers

Humane Processing Steps

Preparation: Fast birds 12 hours, set up clean workspace
Restraining: Use killing cone or hold firmly
Dispatching: Sharp knife, quick cut to jugular
Bleeding: Allow complete drainage (2-3 minutes)
Scalding: 140°F water to loosen feathers
Plucking: Remove all feathers systematically
Evisceration: Remove internal organs carefully
Chilling: Ice water bath to cool carcass
Storage: Refrigerate or freeze immediately

Legal Considerations

Check local zoning laws for livestock
Some areas limit number of birds
Roosters may be prohibited in suburbs
Processing regulations vary by state
Consider mobile processing services

Economics of Chicken Raising

Initial Setup Costs

Basic Coop (6 hens)

Pre-built coop: $300-$800
DIY materials: $150-$400
Feeders/waterers: $50-$100
Fencing: $100-$300
6 laying hens: $60-$120
Total: $660-$1,720

Annual Operating Costs

Feed (6 hens): $150-$200 annually
Bedding: $30-$50
Health supplies: $25-$50
Replacement birds: $20-$40
Total annual: $225-$340

Return on Investment

Egg production: 6 hens × 250 eggs = 1,500 eggs/year
Store value: $6/dozen × 125 dozen = $750
Net profit: $750 - $340 = $410 annually
Payback period: 1.5-4 years depending on setup

Beyond Economics: The Value of Self-Sufficiency

"Give us this day our daily bread." - Matthew 6:11

The true value of raising chickens extends beyond financial calculations. You gain food security, know exactly how your protein was raised, teach children valuable skills, and take another step toward independence from corrupt food systems. In uncertain times, chickens provide both physical and spiritual nourishment.

Getting Started Checklist

Check local zoning and HOA regulations
Choose appropriate breeds for your goals
Plan and build secure coop and run
Purchase or build feeders and waterers
Source quality feed and bedding
Find reputable chick or hen supplier
Set up brooder if starting with chicks
Establish daily care routine
Connect with local chicken keepers for advice
Plan for growth and expansion