Breed Selection – the search for the perfect backyard chicken breeds

I love to research, and equally as much, I love to share my findings. So here goes…

There are more chickens breeds than you could ever imagine. They come in different sizes, different shapes and different colors, laying various sized and colored eggs with great range in temperaments and preferences.

What follows are points I feel are important for anyone considering raising a micro-flock in an urban backyard for the first time.

Chickens? In our small backyard?

(Originally posted on sister site: A Mindful Life)

I still find it hard to believe myself. But yes, in about a month we pick up our chicks, and 6 weeks after that they will be big enough to move outside into their coop in our backyard, where they will live happy lives and provide us with fresh, organic eggs and loads of fun experiences! To say we are excited would be an under statement.

How did this get started? Well, our journey to urban chicken farming began when my husband heard an NPR segment on the subject. All it took was some interest from him and a phone call to me to talk about it. The seed was planted and growing rapidly. A week later I had researched the viability of raising a micro-flock in our small urban backyard and we decided to go for it! A coop had been ordered and research into the perfect backyard chicken breeds and where to get them began.

…Coming Soon…

In our quest to live a more sustainable life and teach our daughter an appreication for our planet and where things come from, we have decided to get into urban chicken farming. Now that sounds crazier than it is! We’re only looking to have 3, maybe 4 hens. They’ll give us super local, organic eggs, the chickens will help care for our yard by eating bugs, assisting with compost creation and they’ll be interesting pets. There are many breeds that in addition to being good layers are quiet, docile, even friendly! And, I never thought I’d say this, but some are quiet pretty too! We are currently researching chicken breeds to find the best fit for us. More posts to come as we figure out more about this adventure!  

In the meantime, please visit my other blog, A Mindful Life, for more general topics on parenthood, food (eating, cooking, tools, reviews), travel and striving to live more sustainably.