National Poultry Day 

March 19th is National Poultry Day. Have you ever thought of having backyard chickens? Raising chickens is really not complicated, and many people find it interesting and rewarding. The requirements are pretty simple. You'll need a safe place for them to rest overnight, like a coop. And, if you have neighbors, you'll probably want a fenced area.

Begin with at least three birds, a rooster and two hens. Chickens are social animals and will never do well alone. The coop needs to be at least a three-foot cube at the bare minimum for three chickens, and larger would be better. In fact, build it as large as you can, because you'll likely expand your flock, especially if you want to hatch some.

There are about 150 breeds of chickens and around 50 commonly found ones. Choose the breed that fits your needs best. Consider the following:
Eggs - the number they lay per day, color, and size
Temperament - for example how adaptable are they to confinement and are they flyers or not. Also some are friendly with humans and others aren't.
Noise Level - this will be important if you have a low tolerance to noise or if you have close neighbors
Climate - some breeds do better in warm or hot climates, and others like it cooler 
Uses - Some breeds are better layers, others are better for meat, and some are good for both

If you google "chicken breeds" you can find lists of the different breeds and their characteristics. I have fond memories of raising chickens growing up. There's something especially satisfying about going out each day and gathering your own eggs. Happy National Poultry Day!

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