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Millions of people throughout North America enjoy raising chickens. The backyard hobby has gained popularity amongst both urban and suburban residents, with major media like the Vancouver Sun and the New York Times publishing in-depth articles on raising backyard chickens. Many start for the benefits, like fresh eggs and meat.

While hearing all the positive reasons for raising chickens, you may have also heard about some of the problems people face when raising chickens. Chickens can catch many diseases, such as Marek's disease and pox; are preyed upon by predators and pests, like mites, ticks, falcons and snakes; and need to be fed daily and provided with housing. Sounds like trouble!

While raising chickens does have its potential trials and tribulations, it is a fun and fulfilling hobby that will add much to your quality of life. In fact, raising chickens has even been shown to reduce stress!

Thankfully, you can avoid the aforementioned problems if you treat your chickens humanely, provide them with shelter and food and water, and use some common sense. Let's take a look at the top three "problems" associated with raising chickens. As a beginner, you're probably a little worried about the whole thing. Never fear! With adequate preparation and knowledge (poultryOne provides many quality resources to help you), anyone can enjoy raising chickens.

Worry #1: "Chickens are highly susceptible to many diseases". Well, this is only partially true. Like any animal, chickens that are not cared for well have a high chance of contracting some sort of disease, whether it be internal or external. However, just like all other animals, giving them the proper nutrients (lots of fresh water and good chicken feed) will adequately protect them from anything they might come into contact with.

Worry #2: "My chickens will be quickly devoured by predators". Sadly, a chicken lacks any type of natural defense other than flight, and domestic chickens (thanks to many years of human meddling) often have a severely impaired grasp of the latter. However, taking some common sense precautions (such as ensuring your flock has shelter) will prevent any predatory mishaps.

Worry #3: "Chickens require a complicated diet". Not at all! In a past article, we've already dealt with feeding chickens, and you can see they are actually very easy animals to care for and (here's the good part) reimburse your efforts with fresh eggs and meat. You can also supplement their diet with healthy scraps from your garden and kitchen. They love that!

In the end, it's like what the Bible has said all along: You "reap what you sow". Carefully planning out your chicken raising adventure will allow you to reap much joy!

Now that you've seen what raising chickens is not, let's take a quick look at what it is :)

First of all, raising chickens gives you lots of fresh eggs! People like you and I are becoming more and more concerned with our personal health and well-being. This is evident in the new flood of health care products and food becoming commonly available in neighborhood grocery stores. What better way to enhance your health than having your own fresh, wholesome eggs on hand? There's nothing like eating protein and vitamin-rich eggs and knowing that they are untainted by artificial chemicals and hormones. (I have heard, according to one book, that a single commercial egg has the same amount of pesticide residue as a piece of steak!)

Another reason why home-grown eggs are so wonderful is that you can eat them without guilt. Ever since the social advancements started during the Victorian time period, people have become conscious of the growing, ongoing cruelty occurring on commercial "factory farms" every day. Laying hens are pumped with chemicals, and treated as merchandise/objects rather than the living, feeling animals that they are. Because of this, a lot of people around the world are either "going veg" or raising their own poultry so as not to be guilty of supporting such inhumane commercial establishments.

Ethical responsibilities aside, once you crack open one of your own, freshly-laid chicken eggs you'll quickly notice the difference! The yolk will have a bright, golden color and will stand high and proud above a thick white. Some even say the taste is far better, although this is quite subjective.

"In many health food stores, fresh eggs are sold at outrageous prices, while the backyard farmer can easily produce dozens of high-quality eggs for only cents each!" says one visitor to the poultryOne Resource Network. This is so true! Even if you care nothing about health foods or "humane eating", we know a fat wallet will appeal to you. Why shell out hard-earned money when you can get the same product, only fresher and cheaper!

Healthier chicken meat is the second main reason that people raise chickens. Have you ever tasted home-grown poultry meat? If you haven't, then you are sure missing out. Imagine tender, juicy roasted chicken smothered with mashed potatoes and rich gravy...yum! The very thought makes your mouth water with anticipation. And best of all, you'll rest assured that there are no harmful hormones, chemicals, or other artificial contaminants to endanger your health.

Thirdly, forget those tacky plastic pink flamingoes or grumpy garden gnomes...chickens are becoming very popular as lawn ornaments. Strange? Not really. Chickens are beautiful animals and quite entertaining to observe! The variety of feather colors and designs, the funny "hats" and feathered feet, the crazy antics..the chicken species offers much in the way of ornamental variation and enjoyment. Also, one can make quite a bit of money raising ornamental chickens! There are countless shows country-wide which offer large sums of money to the most beautiful chicken...which, through careful breeding, attention, and feeding, could be yours!

Careful management and planning, paired with resources like poultry books, message boards, and online resources like poultryOne will guarantee that starting your own chicken flock will be a breeze. Anyone, and we truly mean anyone, can raise chickens. From grade school 4Hers to seniors citizens, people everywhere have enjoyed the relaxing hobby/occupation of raising chickens.

Although raising chickens is easy, if you truly want a thriving flock of birds you will have to put in more than just your spare time. To start off, please read our chicken article on basic housing requirements. This article is not intended to provide all the details of this part of the subject, but it will give a nice idea of what you should look for. Once you've got the basic requirements down, such as space needs and window placements, pull out the hammer and nails and start pounding away. We strongly advise that everything be ready BEFORE you order your chickens. That way they'll have a nice home to come to after going through the stressful shipping ordeal.

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