CORVALLIS, Ore. — The record-breaking price of eggs has encouraged some people to consider raising chickens in the backyard, but it’s important to do some research before buying those cute little chicks.
Raising and keeping chickens isn’t cheap, so you’re not going to save money compared to buying eggs at the market, according to Rebecca Thistlethwaite, Director of the Niche Meat Processor Assistance Network in the Center for Resilient Agriculture & Food Systems in the OSU College of Agricultural Sciences.
“If you’re up for the maintenance it requires, it can be a great way to get fresh eggs. But it’s not necessarily going to reduce your costs. It will certainly get you eggs, but it’s not a big money saver.”
“If you’re up for the maintenance it requires, it can be a great way to get fresh eggs,” Thistlethwaite said. “But it’s not necessarily going to reduce your costs. It will certainly get you eggs, but it’s not a big money saver.”
Almost 50 million chickens have been killed in the U.S. by bird flu, either directly or because of exposure. The resulting egg shortage, coupled with higher supply costs due to inflation and too-few processors, has led to near record-breaking increases in egg prices, Thistlethwaite said.
Nationwide, the average price of a dozen eggs jumped from $1.79 in December 2021 to $4.25 in December 2022, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Center. Prices fluctuate depending on location.
Daily chores and predator protection
No matter the reason, if you want to raise chickens, there are things you should know first. Many people get chicks and don’t realize how much work they take, Thistlethwaite said.
It’s a daily chore of feeding, watering and gathering eggs. A fully and strongly fenced run is necessary to keep away predators such as rats, raccoons, large domestic cats and, in some areas, bobcats and coyotes.
“I won’t do it myself,” said Thistlethwaite, who used to raise almost 5,000 laying chickens. “Been there done that. Mainly it’s because I want to go play on the weekends. I’m not going to pay my neighbors to take care of them. If you go on vacation for a couple of weeks, you’ll come back to a bunch of eggs lying about, which is big draw for predators.”
Build a coop that works
For those who think raising chickens is for them, the first thing to do is build a coop. You can find scores of prebuilt ones online, but if you want to build your own, check out OSU Extension’s publication Living on the land: Backyard chicken coop design.
The main elements of a coop include:
- Roosts. Bars should be at least 18 inches off the ground. Allow about one foot of roost space per bird. Plan for future flock growth.
- Ventilation. Provide vents near the roofline so heat and humidity can escape without creating drafts; insulation isn’t necessary.
- Bedding. Use straw (not hay, which has seeds they will eat) or wood shavings from feed and seed stores.
- Water. Install an automatic waterer or use a bell-shaped bowl. If birds run out of water, egg production can drop and birds can die.
- Feed. Continuous access can spoil and attract rats. Thistlethwaite recommends timed feedings — twice a day — and make sure they finish it. See How to feed your laying hens for details on feed types.
“You need to give them good quality feed that’s fresh,” Thistlethwaite said. “It needs to be laying hen feed. It can’t be pig feed or something else random. It has to have the right amount of nutrients that help them form shells. You can always supplement with kitchen scraps, but make sure they get consumed, too, and are not just laying around decomposing, where it will attract predators”
Light, laying and sanitation
Patience is needed. Hens don’t lay until they are 3 to 4 months old. Feed the right mixture while they grow.
Once daylight is less than 14 hours a day, hens stop laying. You can extend the season by putting timed lighting in the coop to add hours in the morning and night. More reasons for hens not to lay are covered in Extension’s Why did my chickens stop laying?
Sanitation is important, Thistlethwaite said. Dirty coops can support mites, which reduce egg production and can lead to death. Make it a weekly practice to clean the coop.
Also gather eggs daily or they can attract rats, snakes and other predators.
Start small and plan ahead
Seed stores begin stocking chicks by the middle or end of March. Thistlethwaite warns against buying chicks for children or if you’re not able to give them the attention they need.
“If you want to raise chickens, start small,” she said. “Don’t start out with 10 to 20 birds. They only lay well for two cycles so what are you going to do with the bird at the end of their life cycle? Sometimes you get a rooster by accident, and you have to be willing to give it away. Think seriously before you get chicks.”
Previously titled Are you thinking of raising chickens because of record-breaking egg prices? Do your research
