Any one here keep chickens? I have been raising chickens for eggs and meat, off and on for many years. I really enjoy it and the eggs and meat are unparalleled. I have found that raising chickens for eggs can save a little money but the real benefit is the quality of the eggs. Raising meat chickens, I have found that I spend even more than what I could buy them for per pound in the store, to raise them; the quality of the meat is far better though. For meat chickens I get the Cornish Cross. Tried them last year and they are more productive than my other dual purpose breeds.
My egg layers are only giving me a couple of eggs a day now and I have twenty of them. Something is wrong. I plan on replacing them all in the spring. Maybe they are getting a little old. I will try Ida Browns this time.
I plan on making a chicken tractor. This is a caged area that can be moved day to day. It's been a long winter and it's not over yet but it helps keep the mind clear when you make plans for the new seasons.