Writing | Farm Posts – Page 3 – TBN Ranch Chicken Keeping Resources

Starting a Backyard Flock: Pros, Cons, and Practical Tips

Backyard chickens bring fresh nutritious eggs and fun, but also work. Explore the pros, cons, and tips for starting your own flock.

Thinking about starting a backyard flock? Chickens aren’t just about eggs, they bring personality, entertainment, and yeah… a little work too, but it’s rewarding work. Within the flock, a pecking order governs who gets first dibs on everything, the food, best perch, even the nest boxes. Watching them sort it out can be entertaining, or maybe better described as… a soap opera. Their verbal chatter is constant, clucks, cackles, and gossip-like conversations that only they understand. Some hens announce their egg-laying achievement with a noisy “cackle song” that lets you know they’ve laid. I have one hen ( Nugget, a 4 y/o Mille Fleur) who never lays an egg but has made it her job to inform me with her repetitive cackle that another hen has.
Depending on the breeds you keep, your nest boxes could be filled with white, chocolate-brown, brown, pale blue, mossy green, and even speckled eggs. Whatever the color of the egg, when you crack one open, you’ll see the difference instantly, bright golden yolks and firm whites, a freshness that store-bought eggs can’t match.

FYI: By the time you buy store eggs, they’re usually 2–3 (or more) weeks old. Farm-fresh eggs are not only more nutritious, but feel like both a gift and a reward for the time and commitment of chicken keeping.

Each chicken comes with a unique personality. Some may follow you around curiously, some are aloof, and the bold leaders just seem interested in being just that. Sometimes there’s that special one who might jump in your lap for extra attention. One thing is for sure, spend some time with your chickens and you’ll see plenty of antics accompanied by endless drama. Over time, your chickens will come to know you, greeting you at the gate, especially if you have treats or kitchen scraps.
Chickens live by a sense of rhythm. As the sun goes down, they all march into the coop and put themselves to bed. In the winter, their egg-laying slows, reminding us to respect the natural cycles of rest and renewal.
Is keeping chickens cost-effective? Well… no, not really. Fresh eggs come at a price. A spacious, predator-safe coop and run can be expensive to set up, and feeding a small flock of 6–8 birds usually runs about $30+ a month, substantially more if you choose organic feed. That’s enough to buy a lot of store-bought eggs. So what’s the bottom line? It all comes down to whether the expense and commitment are worth it to you.

Chicken Humor

“Fresh eggs, soft clucks, and dirt on your boots — nothing’s better for the soul than a few good hens.”

A Little Bit of Country in the Big City

Our little hobby farm was once tucked away in a quiet corner of Phoenix, but over the years, the city has grown around us, bringing many changes. Housing developments and businesses have increased traffic, and the once-tranquil surroundings are now filled with the constant hum of a nearby freeway—a freeway that didn’t even exist when we first bought this property. We also live near what was once a small airport, which has since grown into one of the busiest in the country. As a result, overhead air traffic and noise have become part of our daily lives.

Yet, amidst all this change, our little hobby farm remains much the same. We still raise chickens and visit the local feed store, a community staple since 1966. Walking into the store feels like stepping back in time, with the scent of fresh hay and grain in the air, friendly faces, and free-roaming feathered friends adding to the charm.

One of those friends is a regular at the feed store—a large turkey who follows me around and always makes me feel welcome. He’s often in the way, taking his sweet time strutting in front of my truck—especially when I’m in a hurry. Guinea hens perch on the rooftops like vigilant security guards, while the resident chickens entertain with their antics in a unique rustic enclosure.