ALMetro360 April 18

For these reasons, raising chickens, even for those in urban neighborhoods, is becoming more and more the norm. I could not be more excited about this movement back to the self-suf- ficient pattern of hunting and gathering for one’s own suste- nance. Children learn through example and experience how to be self-sufficient and they gain confidence by contributing to the welfare of the family. To me, this promotes family unity, usefulness, and service to others and teaches them how to eat in a healthy way. TO GET STARTED… Choose Chicken Breed My favorite chickens include time proven varieties includ- ing Barred Rocks, Rhode Island Reds and New Hampshire Reds. I love the fact that my ancestors were caring for the same type of chickens that I am raising. They are also good dual-pur- pose chicken in that they are great layers and great table birds (meat birds). Many people favor Buff Orpingtons and Ameri- caunas. The Buff Orpington is a good layer and a gentle breed, but they are also escape artists and hard to coral back into the coop. Americaunas are valued for their gorgeous light green eggs. Most local co-ops will have baby chicks for sale or you can pur- chase them on-line. If you do buy them on-line, expect an early call from the post office upon their arrival. Gather Supplies While waiting for your baby chicks to arrive, gather the nec- essary materials. Just like us, they need shelter, food and water. Find a brooder, a lamp for heat, a brooder-sized food and water dispenser, and wood shavings for the bottom of the brooder. I have a homemade brooder with a light that I can ad- just to the best height to give the perfect amount of heat to my chicks. I let my chicks tell me when to adjust the heat. I know that the chicks are too hot if the they hover toward the edge of the brooder or they are too cold if they are all clustered together under the lamp. They will need less heat every week and will soon outgrow the brooder. Give the Chickens a Place to Roost After about a month the chicks will be feathered out and in need of a larger space. I have a chicken coop, but grown hens occupy the coop so I must move my chicks to a chicken tractor. A chicken tractor is a moveable pen that allows your chickens to forage on new grass or vegetation every day or every few days as you move it around your yard. This could be a permanent location for your chickens if you do not need but a few eggs a day. I use my chicken tractor as a temporary shelter for my chicks to allow them to grow enough to defend themselves from the older hens in the coop. Chicken tractors are not hard to build and plans are available for the choosing on the internet. We built ours from scrap wood and old bicycle tires and it has lasted for years. When building a coop or tractor, the rule of thumb is to give each chicken 2 to 3 square feet inside the hen house and 4 to 5 square feet in the chicken run or outside the hen house. They will need a place to roost, chicken pellets for food, and plenty of water. Gather Your Eggs Look for your first eggs! Five or six months after you bring your carton of peeping chicks home, you will get your first egg! That is an exciting day, at least it was in my household. The first eggs are about half the size of a normal egg but taste deli- cious. Your chickens will lay eggs as long as they get enough light (14 hours a day) and are not stressed by not having enough water or food to eat. They seem to lay better for me if I feed them table scraps and extras from the garden. Laying of eggs will considerably slow down in the winter months due to lack of light unless you decide to place an arti- ficial light in the coop. There also comes a time when the chick- ens will molt. This happens after twelve to fourteen months or so. Chickens are giving their energy to changing their suit of feathers. After several months, they will begin laying again. After about 18 months, the chickens will slow down with laying eggs and it will be time to think about getting a new set of baby chicks. Of course, you could get a rooster and an incu- bator to raise your very own babies as well! I have never met anyone who is sorry that they are raising chickens. There is just something about knowing what has gone into (or not gone into) the food that inspires folks like me to raise chickens, harvest eggs, and bring to the table the veg- etables and fruits that we have grown or foraged. Through the years, I have made it my ambition to provide healthy fabulous tasting food for my family. Wild game, fresh heirloom vegetables and fruits, fresh eggs, and old hens and roosters have become a part of everyday food for my family. This healthy freeing lifestyle brings us one step closer to self- sufficiency that our ancestors enjoyed. Bring chickens to your backyard and enjoy them from the yard to the table. I think it is time for me to get into the kitchen and prepare steaks with asparagus and a fried egg on top. ^ STACY LYN HARRIS is the bestselling author of three cookbooks, founder of the popular Game and Garden blog, and a co-host of “The Sporting Chef” and “Rural Heritage.” Her simple approach to sourcing and preparing delicious meals makes life easier for those who want great fresh food everyday. For more information, subscribe to her websites, stacylynharris.com and gameandgarden.com , and follow her on your favorite social networks @stacylynharris. Find us on Facebook and Instagram APRIL 2018 13