In an effort to be more self-sustaining we acquired 5 hens about a month ago after Bob built them a beautiful A-frame chicken tractor. This provides them a movable spot of ground in the yard every day. They roost and lay eggs in their upstairs quarters, and spend most of the day pecking and scratching for food downstairs.
They live on laying pellets, water, and grain as well as table scraps we give them often. They squawk if they see me outside and I do not bring them a treat. We have 3 Black Astralorpes and 2 Buff Orpingtons. Their pecking order is really something to behold. The largest black hen is the boss, Sargeant. The other 2 black hens, Lizzy and Lucy, are next in line, and the 2 tan hens, Fanny and Blondie, are at the bottom. Fanny and Blondie are very easily intimidated by Sargeant.
They all lay light brown eggs and are really pretty low-maintenance. The grandchildren love to find the eggs in the nests. We pull the ramp up at night to keep out the predators, in case they decide to burrow underneath and have a chicken dinner. Then we move the tractor to a different spot in the yard.
It is nice to know that the eggs you are eating are hormone/antibiotic free and come from happy and well- nourished hens. It is pretty cool to gather your own food, right here in the city.
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