Utah, Egg-citing News: How To Start Your Own Backyard Chicken Operation

Egg prices seem to just keep going up. And the quality is going down. The regular eggs from the store are getting runny and more pale in color. I can't help but think the chickens might now be getting the nutrients they need to have strong eggs.

If you've been thinking about getting some backyard chickens.....now is the time!

Of course it takes time and some learning, but don't be scared away from this very rewarding hobby. It is VERY doable. Just make sure you are set up for all the fun and love of some backyard birds. ♥

Here are my recommendations:

1. The Space

First have an area of your yard set aside for a coop. Make sure the is enough room for your birds to roam around and get plenty of bugs and sunshine.

2. The Coop

You can make a coop easily. You can grab some pallets and some chicken wire and build a small coop. Or you can buy one. Look on facbook marketplace and at garage sales first. I found a $600 coop for $150!

3. Laying/Nesting Boxes

Depending on how many chickens you have, you will need a few nesting boxes. I have found that with about 6 chickens I only need a couple of boxes. I make them a little higher in the coop and away from the perch that they sleep on to try and keep them cleaner. The more time you spend on this area to begin with, the cleaner the eggs you will collect.

4. The Set Up

Your chickens need a feeder and waterer and some scratch. If you are bringing home baby chicks then you need a few more things.

For chicks, in addition to the main set up, you will need a container for them to stay in while small, mash feed and a heat lamp.

They don't stay small for long so if you only have a small box, that works for the first few weeks but then you need to upgrade their situation so you don't have any runaways.

5. The Chickens

You can order your chicks online or get them from IFA, Tractor Supply or Cal Ranch stores here in town. They have fall chicks for sale! You can also look at any of the local facbook pages and search for anyone getting rid of their chickens. I have literally restocked my flock that way.

Then in about 5-7 months (depending on weather) you start collecting little baby eggs. It is awesome!

Hint* If you want to collect different colored eggs, you need to get different breeds.

For green-blue eggs you can get Olive-eggers, Americaunas or Isbars.

For White eggs you can get White Leghorn* or Polish.

For brown eggs you can get Plymouth Rocks* or Rhode Island Reds*.

*These are prolific layers

There are tons of options for all colors of eggs. You can research breads for days. I love looking at the different kinds and choosing more docile breeds that will do well in my climate. Also, some chickens lay up to 300 eggs per year!!!

Enjoy the pets, hobby and eggs!

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