Would you believe the U.S. government used to encourage people to raise chickens? This became especially important during World War I when the United States entered the war in 1917. Families were asked to help increase the national food supply and chickens were especially practical because a small flock could provide fresh eggs and also meat when needed, while requiring far less land, feed, and infrastructure than larger livestock. Eggs also offered families a dependable source of protein and other nutrients. Through agricultural programs and public campaigns, Americans were encouraged to raise poultry and grow food at home.

That idea remains just as appealing today when many Americans are struggling with rising grocery prices, and supply chains are at risk. Raising chickens is one of the simplest ways to begin producing some of your own food. A small flock does not require a large farm, and caring for chickens can be practical, enjoyable, and surprisingly entertaining. In return, they provide fresh eggs, excellent protein, and the satisfaction of knowing where at least some of your family’s food comes from. Alongside a garden, a backyard flock can make even a modest piece of land more productive while offering a meaningful step toward greater self-sufficiency. One chick that costs about $4 at the feed store will in 6-months lay an average of one egg per day, and live 8-12 years. Feed is not terribly expensive, and can be minimized if birds are allowed to forage and eat table scraps. Chickens will eat almost anything. Many varieties are cold hearty and don't need special accomodations in the winter, And aged chicken manure makes a wonderful fertilizer for the garden. Pre-fab coops can be expensive but there are many creative ideas for constructing your own coop out of inexpensive materials, or repurposing existing structures. Unfortunately, many commercial housing developments restrict or ban the keeping of backyard chickens, which in my humble opinion is unconstitutional and should be collectively objected to in a major way. If I lived in that kind of restrictive subdivision, I would be doing everything in my power to get out and reclaim my freedom.

Our mornings begin before the sun, with the individual songs of our roosters welcoming the day. Around 4:30 a.m., their crows begin echoing through the valley, creating a remarkably dependable alarm clock. Each rooster has a voice of his own, and we can tell them apart by their different calls. They also have their own small group of hens, housed in separate coops, with each rooster seeming to have a favorite companion.

Chickens have unique personalities, and many of ours have names. Not only do they give us fresh eggs every day, but they are like our pets. Our rooster Gilbert has a devoted admirer named Gertrude, who follows him wherever he goes. When Gilbert finds something especially good while foraging, he makes a special clucking sound to call her over to give her first pick of whatever it is he found. If we scatter scraps in the yard, he may rush over to guard the prize, then announce his discovery to Gertrude and offer it to her as though the entire meal was his doing. If you observe them long enough, you'll find it hard not to love their crazy chicken antics. There is always some sort of chicken drama taking place. Hens bicker, broody mothers sit firmly on their nests and do not wish to be disturbed, and the roosters herd the hens back toward the yard when they wander too close to the woods.

When we first began keeping chickens, we purchased chicks from our local feed store. Over the past few years, we have started incubating and raising our own chicks in small batches. We've found it to be a joyful experience, especially for the kids. We cheer as the chicks peck their way out of their eggs, arriving wet, exhausted, and victorious. Watching a new life enter the world is both humbling and wonderfully life-affirming.

A small flock of four to six chickens can provide plenty of eggs for a small family, but we enjoy our birds so much that our flock has grown beyond what we need for ourselves. The extra eggs allow us to share with others, and that has become one of the most meaningful parts of keeping them. We donate the extras to our nearby church and volunteers distribute them to homebound seniors and families in need. Donating extra garden produce or eggs is a gratifying way to nurture a sense of community and goodwill. We also use extra eggs as treats for the dogs and created a recipe we call “egg brownies.” It is one more way to make good use of what our flock provides while giving our canine companions a healthy treat and cutting down on the amount of dog food we need.

In the past couple of years, we have also begun raising ducks, and we have quickly grown fond of their cheerful presence around the property. We fenced off a part of the yard where a grouping of fruit trees are, and we've dubbed it the Duck Orchard. We allow the grass and weeds to grow tall there, giving the ducks a place to hide, run, play, and find shade. Although we do not have a natural water feature on our property, we found that a couple of kiddie pools, rinsed and refilled each day, are enough to keep them happy. The ducks drink, splash, and play in the water all day. They have also introduced us to duck eggs, which are larger, richer, and creamier than chicken eggs, due to their 45% higher fat content. Their yolks are especially generous, the shells thicker, and I have to admit I actually prefer them.

Between the chickens and the ducks, our backyard flock gives us delicious eggs, companionship, and food to share. They remind us that farm life is made up of many small blessings, and that some of those blessings begin with a crow before sunrise.

Gilbert & Gertrude

Fig

The Duck Orchard Society