Factory farmed eggs are cheap, but they lack the flavor, color, and nutrients of pastured or backyard-raised ones!
If you want to raise hens in a compassionate way for eggs that are amazingly delicious with rich orange yolks and more nutritional value, but you live in an urban setting you may have a few questions.
Rest assured, because in many places it can be done!
I've had them on my property since 2007. I built a solid coop and 8' x 12' enclosed pen. During the day they have a secure fenced in yard to forage in. They will always return to the coop and climb into a nesting box when its time to lay an egg. Plenty of fresh food and water and the coop is cleaned out every morning at 05:15. Fresh eggs are like crack cocaine to me.
ReplyDeleteI turn my hens and rooster loose at dawn, then at dusk when I go back to lock them up, they're already roosting in their coop. And yes, I don't care how far they wander, they always return to their nesting boxes to lay.
DeleteThe pullets stay locked up during the day until they get big enough to be a deterrent to hawks.
We raised a couple of chickens in a chicken tractor in middle of small city. City ordinances prohibited livestock within city limits, but a cop told us unless the neighbors complained of noise issues, they were rarely pursued. Roosters were often the culprit putting finger on them and causing loss of it.
ReplyDeleteThe cost between store bought and fresh was pretty much the same. But the taste had no comparison - the fresh were much better in taste.
My city recently extended its ban on owning chickens, with the justification of "roosters will be too loud." We also still can't have pitties (even though a lot do) because "dangerous."
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