Raising Organic Chickens for Eggs in Inner-City Colorado Springs: A Backyard Adventur

In the heart of Colorado Springs, amid the hustle and bustle of urban life, you might not expect to find a backyard farm, let alone one raising organic chickens. However, it’s becoming more common for city dwellers to embrace sustainable living, even in the urban core. If you're considering starting your own backyard chicken farm in the city, you’re not alone. Here's a look at how we raise our flock of eight hens, providing our family with fresh, organic eggs while contributing to a more sustainable lifestyle.

Why Organic Chickens?

Raising chickens for eggs can be both a rewarding and practical experience. We chose to raise organic chickens primarily because we wanted to ensure that our eggs were free from pesticides, hormones, and GMOs. By feeding our hens high-quality, organic feed, we can be certain they are living their best lives, producing eggs that are healthy for us and the environment. We use Modesto Milling's No Corn No Soy feed, which is a great option for chickens that need a high-quality, soy-free, and corn-free diet.

This particular feed offers a more natural, holistic way of feeding our chickens. Why no corn or soy? Corn and soy are commonly used in many commercial feeds, but they can cause inflammation in chickens and may contribute to a less optimal egg production system. By avoiding these ingredients, our hens maintain better health and produce eggs with richer yolks and more vibrant flavors. The lack of soy also helps to maintain more balanced hormone levels in the chickens, making them healthier overall.

The Space

Living in Colorado Springs means that our backyard isn’t massive, but it’s enough space for our eight hens to roam, scratch, and forage freely. Chickens don’t need a vast amount of space—our coop is about 4 x 5 with storage inside. The run is about 6 x 12 with a dust bath and room under the coop for shade. Mainly it's an enclosed space where they can be protected from predators.

We’ve set up our backyard coop with a solid roof, ample ventilation 9even in the winter), and a secure run area, which ensures our hens are both comfortable and safe. The chickens love their run, scratching at the dirt and pecking for insects, a behavior that helps them stay mentally stimulated and physically healthy.

Eggs, Fresh and Organic

One of the most exciting parts of raising chickens in the city is, of course, the eggs! Our hens, a mix of breeds, lay eggs in a variety of colors, ranging from soft brown to creamy white and even blue. We collect eggs daily, which means we always have fresh, organic eggs ready for breakfast, baking, or whatever meal we’re planning. There’s something incredibly satisfying about knowing that the eggs in your fridge were produced right in your own backyard, free from synthetic additives and packed with nutrition.

Benefits Beyond the Eggs

Raising chickens in the city offers a variety of benefits that extend far beyond just the eggs. For starters, the flock can help reduce food waste. We give them kitchen scraps like vegetable peels and leftover grains, and they happily turn it into eggs (and compost!). Chickens are natural foragers and pest controllers, so they help keep our yard free of insects and weeds, reducing the need for pesticides. Be careful if you have gardens though as they will eat your plants and dig in your dirt.

Additionally, the hens produce valuable manure that we use to enrich our garden soil, after a long compost of course. The waste is composted, breaking down into a nutrient-rich mix that we use to fertilize our vegetable garden, completing the cycle of sustainability in our urban farm.

Challenges of Urban Chicken Raising

Of course, raising chickens in an inner-city environment does come with its own set of challenges. Zoning laws in Colorado Springs allow for backyard chickens, but there are specific regulations regarding coop size, the number of hens you can have, and the distance from neighbors. It's important to familiarize yourself with local ordinances to ensure your chicken farming efforts stay within the law.

Another challenge is predator control. Urban areas can still have coyotes, foxes, raccoons, and even domestic dogs that might take an interest in your flock. Keeping your chickens safe requires a secure, well-built coop and sometimes additional measures like motion-sensor lights or fencing to keep unwanted guests at bay.

The Joy of Chicken Keeping

Despite these challenges, raising chickens in the heart of Colorado Springs has been an incredibly rewarding experience. From the satisfaction of collecting fresh eggs each day to the joy of watching our hens roam and interact, chicken-keeping has become an important part of our urban lifestyle. Not only are we eating healthier and supporting a more sustainable food system, but we are also fostering a connection with our food and our environment.

If you're considering raising chickens in your own backyard, we encourage you to start small, research local ordinances, and choose high-quality organic feed like Modesto No Corn No Soy. Before long, you’ll be enjoying fresh, organic eggs from your very own flock of backyard hens—straight from the heart of Colorado Springs.

Have you ever thought about raising chickens in the city? Let us know in the comments if you have any questions or tips of your own! I’d love to hear how other urban chicken keepers are managing their flocks.