When each Easter approaches more and more people decide to try their hand at chicken farming. Because poultry farming is inexpensive, does not require a lot of land for small operations and also provides a food source, Holley True Value owner Alden Holley said it is a popular choice.

The store, Holley said, sells the birds from early spring to early summer and has chickens, turkeys and ducks in stock right now. The inventory, he said, changes from year to year.

“The numbers we get vary widely, but usually by the time we have our big sale on Good Friday we have about 2,000,” he said.

The store, which Holley said has been selling the birds for 20 years, sees poultry farming operations of all sizes come through the door.

“We have some people who are just starting up and buy a few of them,” he said. “We also have a lot of people who have 400 to 500 and they are just adding to what they have. For some people, they start out with a few and they just add on.”

Many times, he said, people only intend to raise a few chickens at a time. However, the more time they spend caring for the birds the bigger the operation becomes.

“It becomes a hobby like people that keep cats,” he said. “They get one and the next thing they know they have 100.”

Chickens do not need a lot of supplies to stay healthy. For a small operation, a person needs a waterer and feeder, feed and scratch, which is a combination of grains like corn, oats, wheat and rye.

A chicken yard and coop are also necessities. The first important key is chicken wire. How much a person needs depends on how big of a yard and coop they choose to build. A coop can usually be made of 2-by-4 boards, some plywood and the wire.

A roost and bedding are also necessary.

The most popular birds sold at the store, Holley said, are Rhode Island Reds. These chickens are popular because they serve two purposes.

“They are a dual purpose chicken,” he said. “So people can use them for food, or for eggs. That’s what most people want.”

Reds are also known for their good nature, which makes them good pets as well.

Anyone who wants to give chicken farming a try will have extra motivation during Good Friday sale giveaways, Holley said.

Several birds will be given away throughout the day.