7 Reasons to Have Backyard Chickens
We currently have 25 chickens. Which can be a lot of eggs each day. Those are only one reason for having backyard chickens though. Today I am going to share more reasons with you.
7 Reasons to Have Backyard Chickens
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How did we decide to get backyard chickens? I could have cared less if we had gotten chickens, I wanted quail. We got our chickens first though because they are more readily available here. I have to say, I love them! They are awesome personalities and are fun to just sit and watch.
Fresh Eggs
This is the best reason for having backyard chickens, you'll never be without fresh eggs. If you are a family that enjoys egg sandwiches, boiled eggs, etc, then having a fresh supply is a great thing.
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Educational Value
As a parent, I love how much my kids have learned from having chickens. From raising them from chicks, to building a coop for them, to collecting eggs.
Cruelty-Free
Not only will you get nutritious, organic eggs, but you can be safe in the knowledge that your omelet is served up cruelty-free.
Pest Control
Guess what chickens like to eat? BUGS! They will eat ticks, slugs, and grasshoppers, you name it. Here, ticks and slugs are a huge problem. My kids actually love feeding slugs to our chickens.
Backyard Chicken Fertilizer
Chicken manure is great for growing. It is actually very desirable to gardens. It is great for adding to your compost, then adding to your garden. it only takes 5 or 6 chickens to fertilizer your garden in a year. Maybe you want to share some with your neighbors?
Cut Down on Food Waste
I am happy to say that we don't actually have a lot of food waste. Now, there is no food waste or at least less. Our chickens are not a fan of carrot or carrot peelings, but everything else is game on.
Apple peelings from making apple pie or apple crisp? Out they go to the chickens.
We even have family members bringing us vegetables that are starting to get soft for our backyard chickens.
Weed Control
Our chickens aren't free range. We have cats, we have dogs, we have wild animals. But, they can be put into smaller crates, or temporary enclosures to move them to areas where weeds are out of control.
Chickens will eat, and destroy your grass.
Bonus: Great Pets
We love having our backyard chickens. They are entertaining. They are different. They have become our pets. Not to say that one or two won't turn up in the slow cooker though.
There are many reasons for having backyard chickens, these were just seven of mine. The fresh eggs are the main reason that we got chickens. They were also an easier option for starting to homestead and have someone who has raised them to help out with tips.
