Whether you’re a home chef, a gardener or a parent who believes in providing enriching experiences for your children, this spring might be the perfect time to consider jumping on the backyard chicken bandwagon. It’s lucky that chicken coop and feed resources have made it easier than ever to get started.

If you’re thinking of adding a coop to your backyard living space this year, here are some tips to consider.

Choose your Chickens
Chickens come in many different shapes, sizes, colors and temperaments. When making your choice, research the breed’s history and characteristics, making sure to find out how much space they’ll require. The type of egg that is produced, including color of the shell, also depends on the breed. Araucana hens, for example, produce pastel eggs that resemble Easter eggs, while White Leghorns are known for their high production.

Once you’ve chosen the breed, consider whether you’d prefer to hatch your own chicks or purchase day-old chicks from a reputable hatchery or local feed store. Keep in mind that most hens do not begin laying until they are 18 weeks old.

And since roosters are not necessary for egg production, you don’t have to worry about roosters crowing at dawn. You can just order hens.

Establish a (Legal) Living Area
As chicken ownership continues to grow, more cities and suburbs are permitting coops in urban and suburban residences. But before you buy chicks, check with your city’s zoning regulations to be sure your coop complies with local ordinances.  

Now, it’s time to build (or buy) a home for your new feathered family members. Chicken coops can be as simple or complex as owners want them to be. Some families turn old sheds or dog kennels into chicken coops, while others choose to build elaborate homes fit for the most discriminating bird. You can also buy a kit to get started.

However you acquire a chicken coop, there are a number of features it should have:
* Easy to clean
* Protection from the weather and predators, inside and out
* Good ventilation
* Adequate drainage
* Indoor nests for egg laying
* Room to roam – chickens should be able to spread their wings and move around in the coop
* Continuous access to clean water

Chicken Feed:  the Ingredients for Success
While space is vital to a chicken’s health, nutrition is vital to successful egg production. Using packaged feed with a mix of natural ingredients is a convenient way for owners to provide chicks the nutrition they need for future laying. Feeds such as Purina Start & Grow SunFresh Recipe are backed by years of research, proven to help chicks grow into healthy hens. That expertise, combined with a network of educated feed retailers, helps families keep their backyard flocks in tip-top shape.

While a formulated feed will make up the majority of a chicken’s diet, chickens can also be your clean-up crew by eating table scraps-provided that scraps make up no more than 10 percent of their diet. Leftover vegetables, meat and non-citrus fruits are all good to feed.

Now you know some of the basics of raising backyard chickens and the benefits they can bring to your family life. By adding chickens to your home, you gain nutritional food that is enjoyed by the entire family without making a trip to the grocery store.

For more information on backyard chickens, including a free guidebook offering more detailed instructions, visit www.Facebook.com/PurinaPoultry or visit your local Purina dealer.

The post How to get Farm Fresh Eggs Straight from your Backyard first appeared on The How Do Gardener.

Upgrading your backyard may work for you on multiple levels. Not only will you increase your enjoyment of the time you spend there, backyard enhancements like decks, patios and landscaping can increase your home’s resale value. You can create your own oasis of luxury at home for much less than the cost of a luxury vacation.

From murals to outdoor kitchens, resort-style luxury can be had for less right in your own backyard. To get an idea of where to begin, think of the features and decor that you most loved about your last resort stay and work toward recreating them at home for a fraction of the cost. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Theme Park
HGTV star Jamie Durie has elevated outdoor living spaces to an art form by creating each design around a specific theme, whether it’s capturing the exotic flavor of Thailand or the dreamy, relaxed style of California. You can borrow Durie’s techniques and create a theme in your own backyard.

Do you dream of a vacation to the English countryside? The right mix of flowers, cultured pathways and gracious seating areas can evoke the beauty of an English garden. Is a beachside retreat more to your taste? Try potted tropical plants, torches and decorating accents in sand and ocean hues to recreate the atmosphere of the beach.

Dazzling Decor
Your outdoor decor can go a long way toward creating a luxury resort feeling. Draw on favorite luxury touches of interior designers, such as luxurious floor coverings and engaging wall murals. An outdoor mural can transform a space from mundane to exotic.

New technology, dubbed SmartStick, can allow you to mount a mural virtually anywhere outdoors. All you need is a flat surface (other than non-painted brick). The space-age material will withstand all weather conditions, won’t shrink or curl, and can even wrap around corners and curves. It’s easily removable, peeling effortlessly away from the surface without leaving any marks or residue, and can then be re-used elsewhere. Log on to www.muralsyourway.com to learn more.

A Splash of Class
For many of us, water play is a key part of a resort experience. If you live in a community that permits pools, you can easily install an above-ground pool for less than you would pay for a luxury vacation. Modern kits include everything from the pool walls and liner to the filter. Prices range from just a few hundred dollars for basic, modestly sized pools to a few thousand for more upscale versions.

If a pool isn’t possible for you, consider adding a different type of water feature. Installing a fountain or building a pond can not only be a great do-it-yourself project for the entire family, everyone will enjoy the delightful presence of water in your outdoor living space when you’re done. Whatever type of water feature you choose, from a tabletop fountain to a bird bath, the object is to deliver the restful mood and charming sound of flowing water.

Seating that Sizzles
For some items, it’s worth paying a bit more to get better quality, and outdoor furniture is one of them. You’ll be spending a lot of time on your deck or patio, and your seating area should be comfortable, inviting and luxurious. A table and at least four chairs is a must, but think beyond the box and consider incorporating loveseats, lounges and ottomans into your seating design.

If you have the space, consider creating seating groupings throughout the yard. Your deck or patio will be the main entertaining area, but a simple bistro set tucked away beneath a tree or beside a flower bed can make a great spot for quiet chats, or reading a book while sipping your favorite wine.

This summer, consider staying home and keeping your money with you by creating a backyard resort that your whole family can enjoy throughout the season.

The post Backyard Upgrades Bring the Resort Lifestyle Home first appeared on The How Do Gardener.