It seems like there are a never-ending supply of myths about keeping backyard chickens. If you’re thinking about setting up a chicken coop, you’ve probably already heard a good number of them. Today, we’ll take a look at 5 of the common myths about chicken keeping, so you’ll know how to respond the next time someone questions your chicken coop.
Myth #1: Chickens are Dirty
All animals are at least somewhat dirty. After all, they spend the majority of their time outside. However, chickens are no dirtier than your dog after he rolls in your yard. However, chickens can become dirty and smelly over time, especially after periods of neglect. Like any living creature, your chickens will thrive best when kept in clean and well maintained coops and yards. Keeping adequate roosts for your chickens to sleep in and providing areas where they can dust bathe will go a long way towards keeping them clean and preventing disease and insects from running rampant through your coop. Keeping chickens does require some effort!
Myth #2: Chickens Carry Diseases
This is one of the first things many people assume when someone mentions keeping a backyard chicken coop. While chickens do carry different germs than other animals that most people in cities come into contact with on a daily basis, it’s important to remember that germs live on just about every surface you touch. Individuals who get sick easily may want to stay away from a backyard coop, but for most people, simply washing your hands after handling your chickens will be enough to prevent any germs from spreading.
Myth #3: Chickens Are Loud
This is a bit of an overgeneralization. Most hens are relatively quiet. You’ll hear them clucking in the yard, but it rarely gets louder than a normal human conversation. While keeping more chickens will increase the overall volume of the clucking, the truth is hens are quiet creatures. What this myth actually refers to is roosters. Roosters are, indeed, loud. They are known to crow throughout the day, any time they feel that their territory is threatened or they hear a noise they don’t like. If you want a quiet coop, just keep hens. The moment you bring a rooster into the mix, you’ll notice the volume of your backyard coop increases dramatically.
Myth #4: Chickens Attract Predators
Before you get your coop installed, predators may seem absent from your yard and property. While you may think that predators stay out in the country until someone brings in a flock of chickens, nothing could be further from the truth. Predators live everywhere, even in large cities. While your city may be lacking coyotes, foxes, or other commonly thought of chicken hunters, there are a host of other predators that already live there, who may see the coop as a new opportunity. You may notice an increase in the number of predators you spot around your home, but know that they were already there in the first place.
Myth #5: Chicken Coops Are Ugly
This is largely a matter of opinion, as what one person sees as an eyesore may be beautiful to another. The wonderful thing about chicken coops, no matter how large or small they are, is that they’re completely customizable. If you’re not a fan of a wood and chicken wire rectangle with a roof, you can build something that suits your taste. Coop designs are limited only by your imagination, but regardless of the design you choose, your coop can benefit from an automatic chicken coop door.
Coop Tender offers the highest quality automatic coop doors available. Our reinforced design keeps your flock safe from predators and makes it easy to establish a routine. Set the timer for the door to open in the morning as you’re preparing your coffee and schedule it to close in the evening when you’re ready to call it a day. Order your coop door today!
Leave a comment