Everyone wants a friend. Some people like dogs, or cats, or fish. However, some people want to stand out from the crowd. Chickens are a great pet to keep in your backyard. They’re unusual, and not very commonly understood. There are many benefits to raising backyard chicken.
1) They make great pets: Chickens are intelligent creatures, who raise and care for their own families as well as yours. Some breeds can be trained to eat out of your hand, while others keep pests out of your garden.
2) They are little recycling plants: They can eat some food waste and most yard waste. They process the waste and poop out a nutrient-filled fecal matter. That poop fertilizes the soil, allowing new and healthier plants to grow.
3) They aerate the soil: Chickens like to scratch at the dirt, looking for bugs or worms to eat. This brings new oxygen into the dirt and allows plants to grow healthier as a result.
4) They eat insects and pests: Depending on the breed you get, chickens can be very effective in pest control. This means your garden can be free of pesticides and chemicals
5) You have cruelty-free eggs: You can eat the produce of your labor without guilt. You don’t have to wonder where your meat or eggs come from, because they came from your backyard.
6) You can do your part to preserve a breed: Not all chickens are the same. Some are rarer than others. You can raise rare birds, or new hybrids of birds, and do your part to preserve biodiversity in the world.
7) The eggs are healthier: They can contain up to 7x more Vitamin A than factory eggs. There is also hundreds of times more Omega 3 oils.
8) It’s inexpensive: while there are some initial costs, raising chickens can be very economical. If you choose to sell the eggs, it costs even less to raise them
9) Teach your kids: The best education starts at home. Raising chickens can teach children more about life than a book ever will.
10) Cuts down on food travel: The closer food is, the healthier it is. Keeping your food close to your table means you won’t be eating as many preservative chemicals. This clean food will keep you and your family healthier and happier.