Poultry 101

Poultry birds provide not only meat and eggs to our homestead, but companionship as well. Birds are actually quite smart and boy are they lots of fun! They require some sort of enclosed shelter as well as an area where they can roam (unless you free range). They require feed and water everyday (as we all do!) and friends/enrichment. Enrichment can be in the form of peck toys that you put snacks into or perches around the run (a pool is recommended for ducks in particular). Being sure to add an area for your poultry to get used to laying their eggs there is important unless you'd prefer to hunt for them as they could be all over the coop/run or in your yard if you free roam. Litter boxes with the front cut out, boxes made from wood or plastic buckets (square not round) can suffice for egg boxes.

Socialization with other birds as they grow ensures they are friendly to newcomers though some may be territorial for a day or two. Integrating new birds past the pullet stage to your main flock could result in fights so be sure to keep an eye on them. The newcomers will get pecked at here and there, so don't worry too much. Roosters can help protect your flock but if they are not allowed in your town or city then just having a secured coop is enough. There is usually no rule against male ducks/quail.

The most common and easiest to handle are chickens. They can produce around 250 eggs a year (depending on the breed) and don't require a lot of space. There is a large variety of breeds ranging from heritage to fancy, patterned or solid feathers, and so forth. Egg colors ranges between breeds producing white, beige, brown, dark brown, green and blue.

Ducks are lots of fun and can be housed with chickens, though they love water so having a kiddie pool for them will add to their enrichment. Duck eggs contain more nutrients and are 50% larger than chicken eggs. Duck meat is higher in iron, lower in calories and is more lean than chicken meat.

Quail TBA

Turkeys TBA

Peafowl TBA