Like many homestead adventures, ours started with chickens. The plan was simple: get a dozen chickens and have “free” eggs. (We quickly learned that homestead math and actual math are two very different things.)
When we first picked our flock, we chose them almost entirely based on looks. Pretty feathers? Sold. Different colored eggs? Even better. We were fascinated by the idea of opening an egg carton full of beautiful shades of brown, blue, and green eggs.
As time has gone on, our priorities have changed, we’ve learned that while colorful eggs are fun, a productive flock is even better. Now we are focused more on breeds that lay consistently, handle our Michigan weather, and fit into our bigger homestead goals- including the possibility of raising our own meat birds.
The chickens have taught us a lot, that homesteading is a constant learning process, that the first plan or even the fifth doesn’t always stay the plan, and that the things you thought mattered the most end up being less important. They may have started out as a way to get “free” eggs, but they have stayed because there is something very satisfying about walking out to the coop and collecting eggs from your own birds, no middleman.
A few things we have learned in the years of having chicken: Pretty eggs are fun, but production matters. Not every breed fits every homestead. Always build your flock around your goals. Raccoons are viscous and incredibly, almost supernaturally smart. Finally, the most important one for us, chickens are the gateway animal (and they multiply into more animals quickly).
