What are the Cons of Chickens on my Homestead?

Predators, noise, maintenance, and health problems are a few of the many cons of chickens on a homestead. However, many of the cons of raising chickens can be avoided with proper care and nutrition.

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Chickens Require the Right Temperature

Some chicken breeds cannot tolerate extreme hot or extreme cold temperatures. If a chicken is in an environment that is too hot, they will have respiratory distress and can suffer heat stroke. Chickens in an extreme cold environment may suffer frostbite, and issues with mobility.

Chickens Have a LOT of Predators

A major con of chickens is their unfortunate ability to attract all kinds of predators. Chickens are preyed on by coyotes, foxes, aerial predators, large dogs, raccoons, bobcats, opossums, weasels, bears, snakes, and even skunks. To protect them, chickens require a well-built coop for them to reside in.

Must have a coop or protective home

Due to their high predation, a coop is required to house chickens, especially at night. Coops cost a fair amount of money, $100 to $1000 depending on size. In addition, coops take up valuable space on a homestead. Chickens generally do not require a lot of space, but a structure will still take up space that can be used for gardening or other purposes.

Also, chicken coops are a con of having chickens due to their dirtiness. Coops are very dusty and can attract rodents and other small pests. The inhalation of dust from chicken coops can cause respiratory issues in humans as well as animals. Keeping the chicken coop clean regularly will help with the prevention of disease.

Free Range Chickens Have Many Cons

Free range chickens are wonderful for healthy meat and egg production. However, cons of these chickens are they poop everywhere, eat all plant life, lay eggs in unexpected places, and like to roam beyond set boundaries.

Chicken poop is a natural fertilizer to soil, but not to fence posts, or garden equipment. A free-range chicken will defecate where they so choose. In addition, a free-range chicken loose in a garden space will consume your garden plants, not just weeds. Cabbage, lettuce, tomatoes, herbs and more will be eaten by chickens if they are left unattended.

As chickens roam, they will find random places to lay their eggs, instead of using the nesting boxes in their coop. Nothing feels worse than walking to the garden and stepping on a raw egg.

Wandering chickens will reach neighbors yards if left unattended. Once out, chasing a chicken down is its own experience. Your neighbors may have a good laugh. Some farmers claim that chickens may chase you if you have food or treats. Their tiny dinosaur feet scrambling toward you can be quite terrifying.

Chickens are Noisy

Another one of the cons of chickens is the noise they produce. Brooding chickens may be extra loud. The sound of a rooster is undeniable, but hens also make small noise and clucks to talk to each other. These noises can get extra loud when birds are threatened or excited. Close neighbors may complain of the sounds.

Chickens Require Regular Maintenance AKA No Vacations

Daily Care

On a daily basis, chickens require clean water, and food. Their eggs must be collected, and their coop litter should be raked. This allows for better sanitation and reduction of rodents. Since chickens require daily care, children are a good option to help care for chickens as the tasks are simple and good teaching lessons.

Seasonal Care

At least once a year, the chicken coop will need to be entirely cleaned out. A clean coop will prevent disease in humans and livestock, as well as allow for birds to make better homes.

Vacation Coverage

Since chickens require regular care, a family member, close friend, or trusted neighbor will need to care for chickens if you leave your homestead for more than a day. If chickens are left alone, they may eat their own eggs, or can fight with each other for food.

Chickens and Death

As with any animal on a homestead, death will occur at some point. Dealing with the death of an animal you have cared for is hard to process and can be hard, especially for small children.

Old Hens

One of the cons of chickens is they live a shorter life than other livestock. Chickens will live 5 to 10 years but may only lay eggs for 3 to 7 years. In comparison, goats can live 15 to 20 years. Once a hen is too old to lay eggs, she may be killed for meat, or left to die naturally.

Slaughtering chickens for meat is a daunting process due to the structure of a chicken. The neck will need to be broken and the feathers removed. Removing feathers by hand is difficult. Luckily there are machines available to help in the processing of chickens, but they come at a cost.

If you are interested in seeing a chicken being processed, check out this video from Stoney Ridge Farmer

https://youtu.be/FzCMgmyBeZI

The easy way to process and butcher chicken (https://youtu.be/FzCMgmyBeZI)

Chicks

When purchasing chicks from a hatchery or your local farmer, they will need a safe, dry, draft-free brooding area. Chicks must be kept warm with an environment around 92F to 95F. Food and water must also be available to chicks. However, chicks are known to drown if kept around a water bowl, therefore feeders are recommended.

Chicks are not very smart and will eat things they are not supposed to. Some may eat the bedding in their brooding area. Overall, chicks are adorable, but a lot of work.

Chickens have Health Problems

Respiratory Diseases

As chickens are kept in confined areas with dust and fecal material, respiratory issues may occur. However, a well-kept coop will prevent respiratory issues. Chickens will show signs of respiratory distress if they have mattered eyes or nostrils, discharge from the nostrils, sneezing, and or wheezing.

Keep coops well ventilated with clean bedding. Rake out fecal material and provide fresh food and water daily to encourage proper health of your birds.

Parasites

Scaly Leg – roughness in the legs, can cause bleeding; can be fixed by dipping legs in vegetable oil daily until legs improved
Coccidiosis – diarrhea, weakness, sitting with ruffled feathers, lack of growth; can be prevented with clean dry bedding

Overall, chickens are a great starter animal for any homestead. However, keep in mind the cons of chickens before committing to the responsibility of raising these birds.