Raising Chickens in the Backyard

Is it possible to raise your own chickens in a big city backyard? Yes! And more and more people are taking advantage of this great way to provide meat and/or eggs for their families and a great educational experience for their children as well. For the story of one family’s adventure in raising chickens in the backyard, visit Sarah’s Kitchen Gardens.

Sarah started off caring for three laying hens, Sadie, Rosie, and Nellie. It was only a temporary arrangement, but the convenience of having fresh, free range eggs was a real treat.

The family enjoyed it so much that they moved to raising meat chickens over the summer and likely will never look back. All this took place in a big city backyard in Canada. It is possible to have chickens in the backyard, but it is wise to do your research ahead of time to know just what is needed.

You will need to provide a sturdy and practical coop for your birds. You can purchase a ready-made coop or build one yourself. You will also need to know the ins and outs of caring for your birds if you hope to reap the benefits of fresh eggs or a delicious chicken dinner.