What You Don’t Need to Raise Chickens

To live in the country - when I tell people I raise chickens, often I am met with one of two answers. The first being “me too!” and the second being “I would love to have chickens, but I live in town.” YOU CAN RAISE CHICKENS IN TOWN! Yes, occasionally cities do impose restrictions on poultry within city limits, but eggs are wonderful currency in exchange of secrecy from nosy neighbors. Or you could, you know, just do it anyway. Chickens can make a little racket, but a handful of hens who are excited because they just laid an egg are a whole heck of a lot less annoying to listen to than a barking dog. 

Experience - if you can keep a dog or a cat alive, you can keep a chicken alive. They do require some species specific care, but there are resources abound and you will have no problem sourcing a chicken book or finding someone who has chickens that wants to talk about their chickens. 

Heat/Electricity - past the brooder stage, chickens require neither electricity or heat lamps. Like most animals, chickens tolerate cold weather better than they do heat. No need to risk burning down your whole coop, as long as they have somewhere that’s draft free and dry, most do just fine.

Lots of space - you don’t need to dedicate your entire yard to chickens, heck, they don’t even need to free range. Many people raise happy chickens in a simple coop with a run, especially if dogs or predators are a looming concern. 

To be stuck at home - you can go away for a long weekend unlike you could having other farm animals, or even a cat or dog. Give them plenty of food and ensure they won’t run out of water and they’ll take care of themselves.