7 Reasons Why You Should Get Backyard Chickens
In recent years, the trend of keeping backyard chickens has gained popularity, and for good reason. Beyond the charming clucks and fresh eggs, there are more advantages to introducing a flock of chickens to your backyard than you might realize. If you’ve been contemplating whether or not to get backyard chickens, here are seven reasons why getting chickens is completely worth it!
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1. Chickens Produce Fresh And Nutrient-Rich Eggs
One of the most rewarding aspects of having backyard chickens is the abundance of fresh, organic eggs they provide. Each morning, as you collect eggs, you’ll not only be greeted by the clucks of happy hens but with daily fresh eggs!
Fresh eggs from your backyard hens boast a richness and flavour that grocery store alternatives simply cannot match. Compared to store-bought eggs, homegrown eggs are often more flavorful and contain higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants. The yolks are vibrant and golden, a testament to the varied and natural diet your chickens enjoy. Backyard chickens will certainly help provide a healthy addition to your family’s diet and save you money over time by reducing the need to buy eggs!
2. Chickens Provide Natural Pest & Weed Control
Chickens are nature’s little pest control experts. They have a knack for foraging and consuming insects, weeds, and even small rodents. Living in Canada, we have a serious tick problem, and many people choose to get chickens mainly as a way to reduce ticks in their backyards.
Since chickens are born foragers, they will scratch and peck, disturbing the ground and uncovering hidden pests that may otherwise go unnoticed. From beetles to caterpillars, their keen eyes and quick beaks make them efficient hunters, reducing the population of harmful garden intruders.
Chickens don’t discriminate when it comes to foraging. Not only are they great at removing pests, but they’ll gladly munch on various plant materials, including weeds. This is very beneficial if you plan on letting them free-range around your yard. They’ll help keep your garden beds and lawn tidy by helping prevent weed overgrowth.
Lastly, by allowing chickens to roam and forage freely around your yard, you decrease the need for commercial feeds while providing your chickens with a diverse and natural diet. This not only benefits your wallet but can also enhance the nutritional content of their eggs.
3. Chicken Manure Can Be Used As Fertilizer
Another great reason to get backyard chickens is that they provide natural fertilizer, which can then be used in your garden. Chicken droppings are rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium and serve as a powerhouse of nutrients that your soil craves.
When you integrate their droppings into your compost pile, you’re not just recycling waste – you’re creating a nutrient-dense elixir for your plants. Your garden flourishing with vibrant greens, robust vegetables, and blossoming flowers, thanks to the organic goodness your chickens contribute. There’s a sense of pride in knowing that you are fostering a self-sustaining ecosystem right at home, where the waste from one aspect of your homestead becomes the lifeblood of another.
TIP: Avoid using fresh chicken manure directly on plants, as it can be too strong and may burn the roots. Instead, compost and age the droppings in a composter before adding it to your garden soil.
4. Chickens Help Reduce Food Waste
Keeping backyard chickens can be an effective and sustainable way to manage food waste. Chickens are natural scavengers and omnivores, and they happily consume kitchen scraps such as fruit and vegetable peels, leftover grains, eggs, eggshells, and even some meat scraps.
By feeding these kitchen scraps to backyard chickens, you can divert a significant amount of food waste from ending up in landfills. In return, the chickens convert this organic waste into valuable compost and, of course, fresh eggs. This creates a closed-loop system where food waste is recycled into resources, contributing to a more sustainable and eco-friendly approach to waste management while also providing a local source of fresh eggs.
This is a symbiotic relationship where your chickens will gain nourishment, and you, in turn, significantly cut down on our household waste. Be sure to research which foods are safe for chicken consumption before feeding it to them. Some food items can be toxic. For example: avocado skins and pits are toxic and can be fatal to chickens and should be avoided.
5. Chickens Are Low Maintenance
Maintaining a backyard flock of chickens can be surprisingly low maintenance. Chickens are hardy animals that require minimal attention compared to other pets. Once you’ve set up a secure coop and run, providing them with protection from predators and the elements, daily tasks typically involve checking water and food supplies, collecting eggs, and ensuring a clean living environment.
As we’ve mentioned already, chickens are efficient foragers, capable of finding a significant portion of their diet by scratching and pecking in the yard. With proper planning and a well-designed coop, cleaning and maintenance tasks are manageable, and the chickens largely take care of themselves. Overall, the time and effort required for backyard chicken care can be relatively modest, making them an accessible and rewarding addition to a sustainable, low-maintenance lifestyle.
6. Having Chickens Can Help Teach Sustainability To Children
Having backyard chickens provides an excellent opportunity to teach children valuable lessons about sustainability and responsibility. Caring for chickens involves understanding the natural life cycle, as children witness firsthand the process of egg-laying and hatching. By feeding kitchen scraps to chickens, children learn about resource efficiency and the importance of recycling organic waste. The responsibilities of daily care, such as providing food, water, and a clean living environment, instill a sense of accountability and routine.
In addition, children can grasp the concept of interdependence as they see how the chickens contribute to the household by producing eggs and creating nutrient-rich compost. Through these experiences, backyard chickens become living lessons in sustainable practices, environmental awareness, and compassion for animals, fostering a deeper connection to the food they consume and the impact of their actions on the environment.
7. Chickens Can Help Reduce Stress
Believe it or not, backyard chickens can contribute to stress reduction through various therapeutic aspects such as:
- The rhythmic and soothing sounds of clucking, scratching, and gentle wing-flapping can create a calming atmosphere.
- Caring for chickens, involving routine tasks like feeding, watering, and cleaning the coop, provides a structured and repetitive activity that can be grounding and meditative.
- The connection with animals, often known for their docile and non-judgmental nature, can offer companionship and a sense of purpose.
- Engaging in outdoor activities while tending to the chickens also promotes exposure to natural sunlight and fresh air, which are known mood enhancers.
Overall, the combination of routine, companionship, and outdoor engagement associated with keeping backyard chickens can contribute to a more relaxed and stress-free lifestyle for their caretakers and be a great way to slow down from the fast-paced of everyday life.
Related Homestead Fox Articles:
• 10 Best Laying Breeds For Beginners
• How Many Chickens Should You Have?
• Can Chickens Lay Eggs Without A Rooster?
