Amid high egg prices, is raising your own chickens a wise solution?

JACKSON, Tenn. — Many people may be wondering if buying chickens could be the correct decision for them. WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News Reporter Ryan Hodges learned more about what it takes to own and take care of them.

Keeping chickens warm, having a place for them to stay, having nesting boxes for eggs, keeping them clean, keeping them fed, and many more responsibilities go into taking care of chickens.

We learned all of this from Ginger Kemp, who is the owner of R & J Feed Supply in Jackson.

“Quite a bit goes into getting prepared for chickens as far as when you get baby chickens, if you get grown chickens you have to have a safe place for them,” Kemp said. “A coop that can keep the predators away, keep them safe from dogs, or different things like that.”

There are many more different types of chicken than you may realize. Because of this, there is a variety of the amount of eggs they may produce.

“You can range from 200 eggs to 250 eggs per year,” said Kemp. “Some chickens are better layers throughout the year. Some of them, their production will go down in the wintertime. Sometimes some of [their] production will go down in the summertime when it gets really hot.”

A lot of people may be thinking about getting chickens because of the egg prices. However, Kemp says to do your research to make sure this decision is good for you.

“With your setup fee, with your cage, and your coup, your eggs are going to be quite a bit more than that your first few years, so just be sure you kind of think about it. You know, cause it’s just like getting any kind of pet,” said Kemp.

Depending on how many chickens you get, it can certainly be a few hundred dollars just to get started. Then, of course, maintenance and recurring costs will always be there.

Kemp also said that this can be a great hobby for a family with kids to learn about responsibilities. However, you may want to check with your city or county to see if you are allowed to house chickens on your property.

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