Raising laying hens in the garden: to know, which breed to choose!

Table of Contents

1. The advantages of having a barnyard in your garden
2. Which chicken breeds to favor? How many hens to have?
3. A standard chicken coop for your backyard
4. Question regulation on the breeding of hens for an individual

The keeping of chickens in the city has become more and more trendy. Appeared in Anglo-Saxon countries, this practice is spreading in France. Now, these omnivores are taking over our gardens, and even building courtyards, giving these living spaces a country air. And then, what a joy to have fresh eggs every morning!

The advantages of having a barnyard in your garden

Raising laying hens is an activity within everyone's reach. This is also one of the first advantages attributed to it. No need to have extensive knowledge of poultry farming to enjoy fresh, free eggs available, directly from home.

The production of these hens is particularly interesting since they can give up to 300 eggs per year, depending on the breed chosen. Another advantage: these backyard birds are relatively easy to breed. As they are omnivorous, they can eat anything and everything: salads, vegetable peelings, and fresh herbs.

They also get rid of all the pests that affect your garden, especially slugs or snails. But be careful of your plants because they will eat them too if you don't mark off their walking area!

Which chicken breeds to favor? How many hens to have?

Of course, before embarking on such an adventure, there are some prerequisites to determine, including the races to choose. Ideally, opt for old or traditional breeds such as the Gâtinaise, the Houdan, the Alsace hen, the Géline, or the red hen.

To the question: do you need a rooster? The answer is no. In this kind of farmyard, two hens are more than enough. However, to be sexually satisfied, a rooster needs at least eight females. A risk of "burnout" can then occur when your barnyard is relatively small. A rooster is useless for laying hens because they do not need semen to lay eggs. On the other hand, if you want to get chicks, you will have to adopt one.

A standard chicken coop for your backyard

The chicken coop is essential to raise your laying hens in the rules of the art. You can buy it directly from garden centers or pet stores. However, if you have good DIY knowledge, nothing prevents you from making a chicken coop yourself.

This place of relaxation and well-being allows the animals to be protected from the cold, the wind, and the humidity. Your hens can lay or brood there in the best possible conditions. In principle, the chicken coop should at least contain a nest box, a perch, a drinker, a feeder, and nests.

Be careful, never install this shelter too close to your house. You may be disturbed by odors and noise. Ideally, set it up in a place next to a water point, on stony ground, beaten earth, or a cement slab.

Question regulation on the breeding of hens for an individual

On the regulatory side, this authorizes the breeding of hens in the garden as long as they do not exceed the number of 50 and that their shelter does not exceed 20 m2. Beyond that, your barnyard will be considered a farm. Watch out for fees and other penalties.

The rules of adjoining are also to be taken into account. Do not bother your neighbors with odors

nauseating and noises. If you have the slightest doubt about the regulatory side of your chicken coop, ask for all the necessary information from your town hall.