Is Backyard Chicken Keeping Time Consuming?

Are you considering getting backyard chickens or already a proud owner of some? You might be wondering how much time it takes to raise happy and healthy chickens. Well, the answer is quite straightforward - it depends. There are several factors that influence the amount of time you'll need to allocate to your feathered friends. In this post, we'll explore them, so keep reading to find out more.

First, let's talk about chicken coop maintenance, which will take up a considerable chunk of your time. Cleaning the coop regularly is crucial to keep your feathered friends healthy and prevent the spread of diseases. Depending on the size of your coop, this can take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour. You'll also need to refill food and water containers daily. Plus, you should check for eggs a couple of times a day to prevent them from going bad. On average, backyard chicken keeping requires 20-30 minutes of coop maintenance daily.

The second factor to consider is how much time you'll spend interacting with your chickens. While not necessary, spending time with your chickens every day can be fun and rewarding for both you and them. You can feed them treats, provide them with toys, or simply sit down and watch them roam around. This doesn't have to take long - even 10-15 minutes of quality time will suffice.

The third factor is the time it takes to collect eggs. Depending on the size of your flock, you might need to collect eggs daily or every other day. Again, this doesn't have to take long, especially if you equip your coop with a nest box that makes egg collection a breeze.

The fourth factor is chicken-related projects, such as building or repairing a coop, creating a chicken run, or planting a garden that your chickens can enjoy. These projects can take up a considerable amount of time, especially if you're DIYing. However, they're not a necessity, and you can always opt for store-bought solutions if you don't have the time or skills to tackle them.

Finally, there are unexpected events, such as chicken illnesses, predator attacks, or weather emergencies that can require extra time and attention. While you can't predict these events, you can be prepared by having a first-aid kit, a predator-proof coop, and a backup plan in case of severe weather.

So, is backyard chicken keeping time-consuming? Yes and no. It all depends on how much time you want to allocate to your feathered friends. On average, daily chicken care takes around 20-30 minutes, plus extra time for projects and unexpected events. However, spending more time with your chickens can enrich your life and theirs, so it's up to you to decide how much time you're willing to invest. Remember, backyard chicken keeping is a rewarding hobby, not a chore, so have fun with it!