Why We Decided NOT To Get Chickens
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Have you ever woken up at 2am with an idea and not been able to go back to sleep? That was me a few weeks ago. I was dreaming - literally - of chickens. With the cost of eggs on the rise, I just knew chickens would be a great investment for our family.
We decided NOT to DIY a chicken coop (for so many reasons). While we waited for a quote from a company, I began pinning cute chicken coops on Pinterest, reading books about chickens, and planning fun activities to do with our kids.
Theeeennnn the quote came back. And my followers sent me dozens of “DON’T DO IT” DMs. And the research was overwhelming. If you’re trying to decided if chickens are right for your family, here are the reasons we decided NOT to get chickens:
1. The cost for chicken run and coop would have been $3,000-$5,000. MUCH more than I expected. Plus, contractors weren’t replying to my messages and I’m pregnant (which means I refuse to DIY it). Plus, we’ve had unexpected expenses and decided to save our money for now.
2. You can’t determine their sex, so you may end up with roosters instead of chickens. I feel like it’s obvious, but you only need hens for eggs. Roosters can be aggressive, loud, and relatively pointless if you don’t plan on hatching chicks.
3. They don’t lay for the first 6 months and often stop laying after 2 years. We wouldn’t feel comfortable killing them after they finish laying, so it would be an added expense to keep them around past their prime.
4. The cost of everything (especially feed!) would have been way more than eggs, even in today’s market. It just didn’t make sense, even long-term.
5. They bring rodents and snakes. We live in an area filled with predators (coyotes, raccoons, loose dogs, etc.) and the last thing we need is a target on our backyard.
6. My cousin’s kid got salmonella from chicken poop in the yard and I have 1 (going on 2) kids and literally cannot imagine dealing with the stress of them getting salmonella in their own backyard. Plus, the smell of chicken poop permeates the air - something I just don’t want to deal with.
7. Chickens require constant care, and we are known for picking up and heading on trips last minute. We want to continue to be able to go on vacations spur of the moment without arranging chicken care.
8. We have extremely hot summers and some very cold winters. Chickens can handle change, but extremes on both ends aren’t great.
BUT - if you do decide to get chickens, I had already done a TON of research about what items were best for their care. You’ll need:
Automatic feeders and automatic waterers that allow you to travel without worrying about them getting hungry or thirsty
All natural and safe rodent deterrent (that actually smells good!)
I know some families have chickens and LOVE it - and believe me, I get the appeal! It just didn’t end up being the right fit for our family. I hope my experience and research can help you make an informed decision so you can do what’s right for your family.
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