GRIDFALLSurvival
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Food · Weekend setup · Intermediate

Backyard Chickens for Eggs & Meat

Six hens give a family ~30 eggs a week from kitchen scraps and forage.

This is for educational purposes only. Not professional medical, electrical, or safety advice.

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  1. 01

    Build predator-proof

    Use 1/2 in. hardware cloth (not chicken wire), buried 12 in. or with an apron. Lock up at night.

  2. 02

    Pick hardy breeds

    Australorp, Plymouth Rock, Orpington and Rhode Island Red lay well and tolerate cold.

  3. 03

    Feed without stores

    Kitchen scraps, garden waste, bugs, black soldier fly larvae, and crushed eggshells for calcium.

  4. 04

    Water always

    A hen drinks ~1 pint a day. Keep water clean and unfrozen.

  5. 05

    Use the manure

    Compost manure for 6+ months—it's superb garden fertilizer.