Enriching your flock: Improving the life of your backyard chickens

Heather Ainsley reporter3.riverbendnews@gmail.com Here in rural Jefferson County, there is much appeal to farm life and homesteading, and often the first step in the process of building a farm or homestead is to purchase a small flock of chickens. Chickens are often referred to as the “gateway farm animal,” as they are relatively easy to care for, and their flocks are easy to add on to. While some people may raise their chickens as a food source, for eggs or meat, there are many hobbyists who enjoy the company of these feathered friends just for the sake of having them. For those raising them for food, it is easy to notice a big difference in the quality of eggs and meat that are rai