Keeping backyard chickens or choosing to raise chickens isn’t just about having feathered companions; it’s a decision that brings many benefits to your home and garden. Here’s why you might want to consider adding your own chickens to your backyard.
Fresh and Nutritious Eggs Daily
Imagine starting your morning with fresh eggs that you know came from healthy, happy, well-taken-care-of hens! Backyard egg-laying chickens provide delicious eggs packed with nutrients like protein, vitamins, and healthy fats daily. Once you’ve tasted the difference, you’ll never want to settle for store-bought eggs again. This is the dream realized when you have your own chickens.
Also, many of us felt the panic when store bought eggs were unavailable a few years ago and with the continuation of US food system insecurity and rising food costs. When you raise backyard chickens, you know you will have eggs for your family instead of hoping the grocery store has them or if the price has sky rocketed.
Natural Pest Control and Garden Fertilization
Chickens are nature’s little garden helpers. They love to scratch and peck, which helps control pests like beetles, slugs, and even ticks in your yard. Their droppings make an excellent fertilizer, enriching your soil with nutrients and boosting plant growth. It’s like having your own eco-friendly pest control and fertilizer team on standby.
Our family uses our large flock as a key part of our permaculture system, adding helpful manure to the gardens and removing harmful pests from the plants. We fee
Educational Opportunities for Children
Introducing children to keeping livestock through raising backyard chickens is like opening a door to a hands-on learning experience. They’ll learn about responsibility, where food comes from, and the natural life cycle—all while bonding with feathered friends. From collecting eggs to observing chicks hatch, every day is a new adventure in learning.
Sustainable and Environmentally Friendly Practices
By keeping backyard chickens, you’re embracing sustainability in a meaningful way. You reduce your carbon footprint by sourcing eggs locally, eliminating food waste by feeding chickens kitchen scraps and contributing to a more sustainable food system. Plus, chickens thrive on kitchen and garden scraps, turning what would be waste into valuable resources.
Embracing the benefits of backyard chickens isn’t just about what they can do for you; it’s about fostering a deeper connection to your food, environment, and community. Whether you’re a seasoned farmer or new to the poultry world, chickens bring joy, productivity, and a sense of fulfillment to any backyard