PETS
vegetable garden , as they consume a lot of weeds , and their scratching and pecking help mix the topsoil with compost .
FEATHERED FAMILY FRIENDS
Believe it or not , chickens can make adorable pets . Many chickens are social and easily adapt to the family dog or cat . They can be quite affectionate , and it will be a great pleasure for everyone to watch over them or play with them . Certain types of chickens form strong bonds with people and have unique personalities and moods . It ’ s easy to care for them daily , as it only takes a few minutes to feed them , provide fresh water , and put them in their coop at night .
HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR CHICKS
The first step is to know exactly why you want to keep chickens . Are you doing it for the eggs , for breeding , or just to keep two or three chicks as pets for your children ?
There are hundreds of poultry breeds available worldwide , and many of them are imported to South Africa because they thrive in our climate . Orpingtons or Orpington bantams do very well because they are social , good layers , and cannot fly . However , chickens are quite territorial and won ’ t try to escape if they ’ re content in their home . Brahmas are also a good option because they look beautiful , are friendly and social , provide delicious
DID YOU KNOW
When battery hens ’ egg production declines , usually after a year or two , they are slaughtered . However , backyard chickens typically live for about 8-10 years , although some have reached 20 years of age !
57 MARKtoe ! November 2023