Just because you live in San Antonio, and don’t have a ranch in the country, doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the country lifestyle. Urban farming is growing in popularity, which means you can still enjoy owning a brand new contemporary custom home with easy access to all of the amenities of living in the city and at the same time connect to the land and animals around you.
Starting Your Micro Chicken Flock
If you’re looking to expand your farming instincts beyond just a bit of gardening, consider starting your own micro chicken flock. People all over the city are starting these mini flocks in order to enjoy farm fresh eggs in their own backyard. It’s much easier than you think, and the benefits far outweigh the hassle.
The chickens will help your lawn and garden flourish – it will look greener than ever before – because they are nature’s fertilizers. They’ll also help maintain any potential bug problems. Yes, it’s true – chickens are not naturally vegetarians. This is a good thing!
Here are some tips to help you get started:
- If you have an HOA, check with them first to make sure you’re even allowed to have chickens.
- Get the chickens when they’re baby chicks, especially if you have kids. They’ll love watching them grow, and if you’re only going to use them for eggs, it’s okay to name them! You can order them online or purchase them in and around town.
- It’s important to know what you want the chickens for, because different breeds are good for different things. For example, the Orpington and the Silkie are affectionate and therefore good family pets while the Ameraucanas and Cream Legbars will lay you the most beautiful pastel blue eggs.
- Baby chicks and grown chickens have different needs so make sure to thoroughly research before buying, but you’ll definitely need a chicken coop. If you’re super handy, build your own, or you can also buy one. You want to make sure whatever home you give them keeps them safe from predators and can facilitate a heat source on those rare occasions it freezes.
- Save your compost and feed it to the chickens. They’ll pretty much eat everything.
- Beware of roosters – they’re noisy!
For more information on how to make city life as country fun as life on the farm, check out the Urban Farm Magazine or a zillion other resources online.