Hey everyone! Cody here again, and today I want to talk a little more about how my flock evolved over time. If you’ve been following me from my Chickstagram days, you might remember that my poultry journey didn’t start with laying hens—it actually started with broilers.
When I was just 8 years old, I raised my very first broilers (meat birds) for six weeks every year. Broilers are a bit different from the chickens I ended up raising later. They’re specifically bred for meat production, so they grow fast and don’t stick around long. After a few years of raising broilers for our local FFA, I decided it was time to take on a new challenge—laying hens.
I’ll admit, going from broilers, which I only had for a short period each year, to laying hens, which are a year-round commitment, was a big step. But it was worth every moment! I still remember the first time I collected eggs from my flock—something about it felt so rewarding. And let me tell you, the colors of those eggs were incredible. I got eggs in shades of teal, pink, green, brown, white, and cream. Not exactly what you see at the grocery store!
Raising laying hens also allowed me to experiment with different breeds. I had everything from Rhode Island Reds to Silkies (which, if you don’t know, look like little cotton puffballs with legs).
Transitioning from broilers to laying hens taught me how different poultry management could be, but it also made me appreciate how rewarding it is to raise birds in any capacity. That sense of connection with my flock is something I’ll always cherish, and it's why I still find joy in sharing stories and tips with other poultry enthusiasts.