How To Raise Poultry

A Guide to Raising Poultry-Part 1

THERE ARE SO MANY POSSIBLE ANSWERS to the question, "Should I raise poultry?” For some it is the excitement of seeing a little bit of nature in their backyard. For others, the pleasure or necessity of producing their own eggs and meat will start them down the poultry road. The artistic are drawn to the beauty and diversity of birds. Hardcore gardeners are intrigued by the possibilities of using poultry for insect control and manure fertilizer in the backyard gardens. A few individuals will even find poultry to be perfect pets.

Nearly everyone can identify with some facet of the poultry world and find valid reasons to raise these wonderful creatures. A diverse flock of poultry can provide beauty, eggs, meat and unparalleled entertainment.

Urban Raising on The Rise

BUT CHECK WITH OFFICIALS

A growing number of cities and heavily populated towns allow residents to keep a few young chickens; that is at least until three or four months when a rooster begins to crow. It’s always a good idea to check on city and county ordinances in your area before you purchase poultry. In some cases, even in rural areas, you may not be allowed to have poultry or there maybe a limit to the number of birds you may have.

Don’t be surprised if you are not allowed to keep roosters. Their noisiness is considered an annoyance by some; it is their crowing that turns many neighborhood associations, small cities, and towns against their citizens raising poultry at all.

Many people who decide to raise poultry want good food and something attractive. Entire breeds and many varieties of poultry are raised primarily for ornamental purposes. Keep in mind, however, that while they are considered ornamental, many of these breeds also produce a reasonable number of eggs and an acceptable meat product. With poultry, you can have the best of all worlds: eggs, meat, and aesthetically pleasing birds.