I’ll admit, I jumped on the backyard chicken raising wagon last year. I probably would not have done so if I had joined all the backyard chicken raising groups beforehand. There’s, apparently, a lot that can go wrong with your flock, from sickness to predators.
While backyard chicken raising is not a new concept, it would surprise many to know just how it became popular in the first place. At the start of World War I, backyard chicken raising was considered patriotic. Not only did it provide families with meat and eggs during food rationing, but it also helped to supply troops and allies with food. The government encouraged families to “keep and raise chickens” for personal food security, as well as their patriotic duty.
Fast forward a few short years to the Great Depression, backyard chickens helped to keep families from starving. Then again, during World War II, the government insisted and pushed backyard chicken raising and victory gardens. Headlines read “Two Hens in the Back Yard for Each Person in the House Will Keep a Family in Fresh Eggs” and “Uncle Sam Expects You To Keep Hens and Raise Chickens”.
Following WWII, backyard gardens and chicken raising lost popularity. People opted for the convenience of grocery stores and corner meat markets versus the time and energy it took to grow your own.
Within the last decade, backyard gardens and chicken raising has once again gained popularity. The lack of trust in our government and food sources is forcing more people to, once again, grow their own food and raise their own chickens. (Join any bio-engineered food group on social media to learn more about just what is going into our food.) For me, it’s out of a need to be more self-sufficient and the simplicity of it. They are not always convenient, but chickens are entertaining creatures and much hardier than the social media groups let on. While I haven’t had the heart to butcher any of mine yet, I’m certain that at some point I will have to do so. Across the country, folks in urban and suburban areas are finding raising chickens to be a relaxing and rewarding hobby. The biggest complaint that I see on most groups is the city regulations in regard to raising chickens. There are several large cities that flat-out don’t allow it.
If you’re thinking of starting your own adventure into backyard chicken raising, make sure to check your city rules and regulations first.
