Tag: Homesteading

The Daily Reality of Raising Backyard Chickens


The dream of collecting fresh eggs from your backyard is one of the biggest attractions of modern suburban homesteading. However, behind the dream lies the reality, keeping a small flock of four to six hens requires consistent labor, routine maintenance, and a non-negotiable commitment to cleaning. While chickens are relatively low maintenance, having a small flock demands a steady commitment and a good deal of your time.
Every morning begins with letting the flock out of the secure coop into their enclosed run. Waterers must be checked, dumped, and refilled with fresh water. Mid-day or late afternoon requires a quick trip to gather eggs before they get broken or dirty. Dusk brings the mandatory task of locking the coop door to protect the flock from predators like raccoons, foxes, coyotes, etc. These are non-negotiable chores every single day.
Maintaining a tidy coop is where the real effort lies. Chickens produce a surprising amount of poop. Without regular care, smells become overwhelming fast, attract flies, rodents, and can cause respiratory disease over time. Scraping manure off the roosting boards, checking nesting boxes for broken eggs, replacing soiled straw or wood shavings, and wiping down the nest boxes is a necessary part of chicken keeping. Raking the outdoor run to prevent mud buildup and turning over soil or adding fresh pine shavings keeps odor at bay, which is a weekly chore at the very least.
Whatever bedding method is used, a comprehensive scrub-down is necessary every few months. Deep cleaning involves hauling out all old bedding, scrubbing surfaces, cleaning drinkers and feeders, and adding lime to the ground to deter mites and lice.
While keeping chickens is not backbreaking work, it does require a daily commitment, regardless of rain, snow, or heat. For those willing to put in the time, the reward is a steady supply of farm fresh eggs. But there are other benefits too, chickens have distinct personalities and can be fun to watch. You may find that spending time with a flock is not about the work at all, could it be your new way to relax, unwind, and be entertained? I’m not opposed to calling chicken keeping… therapy.

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Silkie Chickens Sleeping in the Corner on the Ground at Night?

Why Silkies Don’t Roost at Night

While this behavior can surprise new owners, it is completely normal for this breed. Because Silkies don’t fly well, hopping onto high perches is difficult, so they often avoid the challenge entirely and cuddle together in a corner on the ground for the night.
To accommodate this behavior, you can provide a wide, low perch (a 2×4 works well) no more than a foot off the ground with a sturdy ramp for easy access. Your Silkies may still choose to sleep in the corner on the ground, but at least you have given them a choice. Because Silkies spend more time on the ground, regular cleaning is especially important to prevent dampness, parasites, and dirty feathers.
Although their habits may seem unusual at first, they are simply part of the charm of this beautiful and unique breed.

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Seriously? Let’s Look at the Spendy AI Smart Coop by HatchingTime

HatchingTime AI Coop

First of all, I have no experience with this “Smart Coop,” so take that however you want. But I just left the website for this coop, and right off the bat I see issues. On top of the already SHOCKING price tag, be prepared to dig even deeper into your pockets if you think this coop is suitable for a new chicken keeper. I say “new” because any seasoned chicken keeper is laughing at this setup. Maybe as an extra coop, for quarantine, sick, or injured birds, but at that price? No.
Let’s Get to the Root of the Issues…
Unless it has a floor, which it isn’t described as having, it’s not at all predator or rodent proof, so plan on an additional expense there because predators don’t just exist at night, they are a threat at all times. The wire spacing is also too large, small predators can easily squeeze through it. And the size of this coop? The square footage is only really suitable for about 4 standard birds, or 5 bantams, and I’m being generous. The manufacturer claims 8 birds, that is true, but expect drama, bullying, and unhappy birds due to overcrowding.
If you can still see the possibilities in this coop, and for some people it might be a fit, that’s fair. But are you 100 percent comfortable trusting technology, especially AI in its early stages, to handle something as important as feeding, watering, safety, and relying on solar?
That’s a NO for me.
We all have our own opinions on the best way to enjoy our flocks, so if your interested, here’s the website for the AI Smart Coop by HatchingTime, because to be honest, only you know what fits your needs best. 🙂

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