Chicken keeping myths

There are some chicken keeping myths that prevent people from taking the poultry plunge. We’re busting some of the most common misconceptions about chickens to make sure no one is shying away from these endearing backyard pets for the wrong reasons. So, if you’ve found yourself hesitant about hens, find out the truth behind these chicken keeping myths. 

Myth: chickens smell 

Fact: chickens themselves don’t smell at all 

You’ll see chickens dust bathing several times a day to keep their feathers free of insects and debris, and to keep their plumage full and shiny. Unless your chicken is ill, they should have no noticeable smell. The reason for this myth lies in what chickens leave behind: droppings. While droppings out in the yard or chicken run won’t cause a stink, droppings that have built up inside of their coop will smell. But, this smell is easily thwarted by having an easy to clean chicken coop and by using odor-absorbing bedding like pine shavings or pellets. By cleaning the coop and refreshing the bedding at least once a week, you’ll never smell your chickens’ coop. 

Myth: you need a rooster for hens to lay eggs 

Fact: hens will lay eggs regardless of a rooster in their lives. 

The process of laying an egg is called ovulation, and a hen will go through this cycle every 24-26 hours. While it’s true that you need a rooster in order to have fertile eggs for hatching, a hen will ovulate on their own with or without a rooster in the flock. So, if you don’t want to wake up to a cock-a-doodle-doo each morning, skip the rooster and keep a flock of amiable hens. 

Myth: chickens require a lot of time 

Fact: taking care of a flock is very flexible 

Like other pets, chickens do require human care, and with that comes a time commitment. But unlike other pets, chickens are very self-sufficient, foraging for snacks and eating from their feeders when they need to. Fitting chicken keeping into your lifestyle is a matter of personal preference, but your flock will need basic care. 

Your chickens’ coop will need to be cleaned at least once a week, but chicken coops like the Eglu Pro can be thoroughly cleaned in just a few minutes. In addition to weekly cleanings, your hens will need daily care. This includes: 

• Letting them out of the coop in the morning 
• Filling their chicken feeders and waterers 
• Checking for eggs 
• Closing them in the coop at night

Having a smart automatic chicken coop door will let your chickens out and close them in for you, eliminating this step from your daily routine. Of course, you’ll find yourself wanting to spend more time with your flock, but the time spent on chicken-chores will be minimal. 

Myth: chickens destroy your backyard 

Fact: somewhat true, though heavily reliant on conditions 

Chickens are capable of wearing down patches of grass, or pruning plants in your garden. But, this is largely dependent on how many and what breed of chickens you keep. Some are more robust foragers than others, and smaller spaces with larger flocks will result in more wear and tear on your turf. But there are ways to mitigate the damage done to your grass.

• Use chicken fencing to keep your flock in designated areas
• Opt for a mobile chicken coop (or chicken tractor) to rotate their grazing 
• Set up a permanent chicken run and top worn grass with a chicken-safe substrate 

Myth: chicken manure is too strong to use as fertilizer 

Fact: composted chicken manure is excellent for plants  

Using composted chicken manure as a fertilizer is one of the best things you can do for your plants. Rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, chicken manure provides a slow-release of nutrients to the soil once it has been composted appropriately. This myth stems from the fact that fresh chicken manure is indeed too strong to add directly to plants, and can actually burn them due to the ammonia content. But, as long as you compost your chickens’ manure before incorporating it into your flower beds, you’ll be able to feed your plants with this natural, nutrient-rich substance.  

Myth: chickens need a lot of space 

Fact: not as much as you’d think 

Chickens do thrive with space, but the amount of space they need is relative to the size of the flock you keep. You may be subject to chicken keeping laws that dictate how large your property must be in relation to your flock size, but most small flocks of hens thrive in average-size backyards. Choose a chicken coop and run appropriate for the size of the flock you plan to keep, and provide extra space with chicken fencing if possible. If you’re short on space, adding chicken perches to your flock’s run will make use of the aerial space available. 

Myth: chickens are noisy 

Fact: noises from hens are hardly noticeable 

Chickens do make some noises, but most of these are soft calls to each other. Occasionally you may hear the sounds of a brief flock disagreement or the pronouncement of a freshly laid egg, but overall chickens are quiet pets. Some hens may be more vocal than others, but since they roost at sunset, flocks of hens won’t be a noise concern after nightfall. The loudest sound you’re likely to hear from your flock is a warning – hens will sound the alarm if they see something suspicious. This group call can be noisy, but it’s brief, and will subside once the perceived threat is gone. 

Myth: chickens will attract rats 

Fact: chickens won’t, but their food might 

Rodents aren’t drawn to your chickens, but they may be eager to feast on their feed. This is especially true if you toss scratch grains or kitchen scraps to your flock. To keep rats away from your chickens, store chicken feed and scratch in airtight containers. Offer scratch grains in chicken peck toys, and fresh fruits and vegetables in a Caddi Chicken Treat Holder to reduce waste on the ground. Collect any uneaten food from the run each night to prevent unwanted visitors from nocturnal rodents. 

Omlet and your flock 

Keeping chickens should be a leisurely pastime, not a laborious task. That’s why we’ve invented chicken coops like the Eglu Pro to take the guesswork out of chicken-keeping. With the easy to clean, sturdy construction, your chicken chores will be something to look forward to. And, the time-saving Smart Autdoor, you can automate your flock’s schedule or open their coop from your smartphone – from anywhere in the world. So, don’t settle for dated, chicken-keeping myths. Join the thousands of flock raisers all over the globe that have revolutionized their routines with our ingenious chicken-keeping products. 

This entry was posted in Chickens