As the egg shortage continues to dominate the headlines, more and more people are considering raising backyard chickens. It’s easy to see why—fresh eggs, a closer connection to nature, and a sense of self-sufficiency are all enticing benefits. Recently, I found myself revisiting the idea of getting chickens. With an old chicken coop already on our property and plenty of space, it seemed like a natural next step. But after giving it some thought, we’ve decided to hold off—for now, at least. Here’s why backyard chickens still aren’t the right fit for us, even with the current egg shortage.
Too Many Chickens in Our Area
One of the first things we noticed was the abundance of chickens in our area. It seems like almost every household around us has their own flock. While it’s clear that backyard chickens are becoming more popular, this also brings up an interesting question: what do you do with all the extra eggs? Chickens are prolific layers, often producing far more eggs than a small household can consume. For just the two of us, the idea of setting up and maintaining chickens—plus the costs involved—just doesn’t add up when we’d likely end up with more eggs than we could ever eat. Selling eggs isn’t an option due to local regulations, and with so many neighbours already keeping chickens, giving away extra eggs doesn’t seem like a practical solution either.
Travel and Responsibility
Another big reason we’re hesitating is our desire to travel. Having chickens means committing to a daily routine of feeding, watering, cleaning, and collecting eggs. While I’m sure I’d grow fond of the routine, it could quickly become a burden when we’re away for weeks at a time. Unlike our cats, Zoom and Blue, chickens need specialized care. You can’t just ask a friend to pop in once a day—chickens require someone who understands their needs and can handle any potential emergencies. Unfortunately, we don’t currently have a reliable network to help out while we’re away. Without this kind of support, owning chickens could easily turn into more stress than enjoyment. Check out our video on our trip to Darwin. We’ve been on quite a few adventures since moving to our property, and we’re hoping to travel even more next year!
Striving for Balance
When we moved to our property, our goal was to create a peaceful, balanced lifestyle. We wanted to design a space that we didn’t feel the need to escape from—focusing on manageable projects that bring us joy, rather than overwhelm. At the moment, we’re busy transforming our land, one garden bed at a time. This already takes up much of our free time, so adding chickens to the mix would only add another layer of responsibility, making it feel like more work than we can handle. Plus, caring for a flock is a team effort, and right now, Sven isn’t fully on board. The constant crowing of nearby roosters has put him off, and honestly, I don’t blame him. Without shared enthusiasm, raising chickens could quickly feel like a chore, rather than a pleasure.
A Changing Relationship with Eggs
Our evolving relationship with eggs has also played a part in our decision. Sven enjoys eggs almost every day as a quick breakfast, but I rarely eat them anymore. I’ve cut back on baking, so eggs aren’t the staple they once were in our kitchen. A small flock of hens would likely produce far more eggs than we could ever use. It just doesn’t make sense to add chickens to our lives when their output wouldn’t match our needs.
The State of the Coop
We already have an old chicken coop on the property, but it’s not in the best shape. It was in disarray when we moved in, and the flood damage has made it even less useful. We initially thought we might be able to fix it up for chickens, but now we’ve decided to take it down completely.
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Removing the coop will free up space and give us materials we can repurpose for other projects. While we don’t necessarily need the extra room, the idea of simplifying our property is appealing. Stay tuned for updates on the coop removal! We may need to address the potential snake habitat it’s created first though!
The current state of our chicken coop
Ducks Anyone?
Interestingly, I’ve been thinking about ducks. They’re quirky creatures, and their eggs are fantastic for cooking and baking. But ducks come with many of the same challenges as chickens, especially when it comes to travel.
In the end, our decision to pass on backyard chickens boils down to one simple fact: we’re prioritizing the lifestyle we want to live. We moved here to embrace simplicity and joy—not to add more stress or obligations. While the idea of fresh eggs and having feathered friends is appealing in theory, it just doesn’t fit with our current goals.
If you’re considering getting chickens, it’s worth asking yourself some important questions:
Do you have the time and energy to care for them every day?
How will you manage their care while you’re traveling?
Can you legally sell or share the eggs?
Is everyone in your household equally enthusiastic about the idea?
Answering these questions honestly will help you decide whether chickens are the right fit for your lifestyle.
Looking Ahead
While chickens aren’t in our immediate future, we’re excited about the other projects and possibilities on the horizon. Taking down the old coop will mark the end of one chapter and the beginning of another, and we can’t wait to get creative with the materials we have.
Who knows—maybe one day we’ll revisit the idea of keeping poultry. Ducks, perhaps? For now, we’re focused on enjoying the open space, planning future travels, and cultivating a life that truly brings us peace and fulfillment.
What are your thoughts on backyard chickens? Let us know in the comments below!
