5 things to know before getting backyard chickens

People are flocking to learn about raising backyard chickens.

More than 60 Islanders have signed up for a free workshop this weekend at the Farm Centre in Charlottetown.

Organizer Rebecca Cowans, who knows her pullets from her cockerels, shares the nitty gritty on what you need to know before bringing birds home:

1. There is no free lunch

Two or three hens can keep a family supplied with eggs, but those birds don't work for free.

You'll need to build a coop and buy nutritionally balanced feed.

The upside?

"You've never tasted an egg until you've tasted a fresh egg," said Cowans. "No comparison."

2. Bylaws, bylaws

Yes, there are rules about keeping poultry in urban areas. Bylaws vary from place to place. Check with the powers that be, before you unleash the hens.

In Charlottetown there are two bylaws that would apply to backyard chickens. One that says you can't have an outdoor animal enclosure, and another refers to what happens if the birds become a nuisance.

In Cornwall, chickens are only allowed in the parts of the town zoned for farms and not in residential zones.

• Chickens and goats subject of petition to Cornwall, P.E.I.

In Stratford, domestic fowl are prohibited in residential areas under the Animal Control Bylaw.

In Summerside, someone wanting a few backyard chickens would have to obtain a permit from the animal control officer and has to alert their neighbours.

Oh, and roosters are noisy. Unless you and your neighbours like to hear cockadoodle-doo and all hours, stickwith hens.

3. Never mindfoxes, it's the raccoons

Your feathered friends will attract unwanted attention, and not just from the neighbours.

Raccoons can lift latches and open doors. They will eat your chickens and your eggs.

Good news is, with careful construction and design, your coop can be both secure and attractive.

4. Aren't chickens messy?

Let's face it, they poop. That poop has another name: fertilizer. It's good for the grass.

The best backyard coops are on wheels. Move them to a fresh patch of lawn every day.

In addition to fertilizing the lawn, your chickens will eat up insects and weeds, including cinch bugs, crane flies and dandelions.

Cowans said dandelions in the diet add richer colour to yolks.

5. Some chickens are more equal than other chickens

Your backyard animal farm will have a look and personality all its own.

Cowans enjoys heritage breeds such as Welsummers, Ameraucanas and copper Marans. They're noted for their colourful plumage.

Even their eggs can have surprising colours blue, terracotta and chocolate brown.

It's important to spend quality time with your flock, said Cowans.

"The more time you spend with them, the more comfortable they'll be around you," she said.

The workshop runs 1 - 3 p.m. Saturday at the PEI Farm Centre.

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