"They are cheap, can be fed almost anything, are hardy, friendly and don’t stink" This is not really accurate. The chicks may be cheap, but raising them to egg laying age isn't. They will eat kitchen scraps and grass and weeds, etc., but must be fed a steady diet that will benefit their growth and egg production, and is not that cheap. T…
"They are cheap, can be fed almost anything, are hardy, friendly and don’t stink" This is not really accurate. The chicks may be cheap, but raising them to egg laying age isn't. They will eat kitchen scraps and grass and weeds, etc., but must be fed a steady diet that will benefit their growth and egg production, and is not that cheap. They do not lay year round, as they take breaks when molting and also when the hours of daylight changes in the fall and winter. Not all breeds are "hardy" or "friendly", so do the reasearch, breed matters. And they don't stink? Really? You've never had to muck out a chicken pen then. Also free ranging isn't always an option as there are many predators looking for a quick meal. It isn't as rosey a picture as you paint. It takes time, knowledge, and money to get your own eggs from your own chickens.
"They are cheap, can be fed almost anything, are hardy, friendly and don’t stink" This is not really accurate. The chicks may be cheap, but raising them to egg laying age isn't. They will eat kitchen scraps and grass and weeds, etc., but must be fed a steady diet that will benefit their growth and egg production, and is not that cheap. They do not lay year round, as they take breaks when molting and also when the hours of daylight changes in the fall and winter. Not all breeds are "hardy" or "friendly", so do the reasearch, breed matters. And they don't stink? Really? You've never had to muck out a chicken pen then. Also free ranging isn't always an option as there are many predators looking for a quick meal. It isn't as rosey a picture as you paint. It takes time, knowledge, and money to get your own eggs from your own chickens.