You’ve heard the buzz: backyard chickens are really hot right now. And you’re not alone if you want to take the plunge and add a coop to your property. Chickens are easy pets to care for, they offer many benefits, and they’re fun for both adults and kids.
Here’s a look at some of the best reasons why raising backyard chickens is worth it!
Takeaway Table
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Fresh eggs | Initial setup cost |
| Pest control | Regular cleaning and maintenance required |
| Fertilizer for gardens | Can attract predators |
| Educational for children | Noise and odor concerns |
| Sustainability | Zoning and city regulations |
Chickens Are Great Pets
Chickens are great pets. They’re easy to care for and entertaining to watch, so if you’re looking for an animal that won’t require a lot of your time or energy, chickens are a good choice. They eat bugs and weeds in your garden by day, then roost in their coop at night.
If you let them out during the day they’ll also eat any food waste you have on hand bones, vegetable scraps, etc. which means they can be a source of entertainment as well! Many people have found ways to take advantage of this by encouraging their chickens’ natural behaviors with feeders that dispense pear seeds from toy dispensers.
These toys keep them occupied while simultaneously deterring them from eating harmful things like avocado pits or hot peppers when left unattended outside overnight (the latter because these would make great treats for cats).
Chicken Breeds and Characteristics
| Breed | Egg Laying Frequency | Temperament |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Red | Excellent | Calm |
| Plymouth Rock | Excellent | Friendly |
| Leghorn | Excellent | Active |
| Sussex | Good | Docile |
There’s Nothing Quite Like Fresh Eggs
Once you’ve got your chickens and they start laying eggs, there are a few things you can do to make sure that the eggs taste even better.
First, try eating them right away rather than storing them in your refrigerator for days or weeks. Fresh eggs taste better than those that have been stored for a while because they have less of an air pocket around their yolks, which means that when you cook them (boiled or fried), they won’t flatten out as much compared to older refrigerated ones.
Secondly, don’t use any chemicals on your lawn or garden where your chickens will be roaming around the chemicals may end up seeping into their food source and into their bodies!
This is especially important if you plan on letting them eat grass clippings from time to time; those clippings may be treated with herbicides such as Round-Up (glyphosate).
Finally: If possible always keep a close eye on how much space each individual chicken needs so there’s plenty of room for everyone inside coops/runs as well as outside at all times during daylight hours when predators might try attacking nests/eggs left unattended overnight during cold winters months when nights get chilly temperatures dipping below freezing levels!
If you’re thinking about raising chickens in your backyard, it’s important to know whether the eggs they lay are safe to eat. Our article on backyard chicken eggs explains what you need to know about egg safety, including tips for cleaning and storing eggs to minimize the risk of contamination.
Chickens Are Easy To Care For
Backyard chickens are a great way to start raising your own food.
Chickens don’t need a lot of space, time, money, or attention. They lay eggs every day and can be eaten at any stage of life (they’re even kosher). They eat bugs and weeds so you don’t have to. They’ll even eat their own droppings if they’re given access to them!
Chickens Can Help Protect Your Garden
Chickens can help protect your garden. Chickens are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and animals. If you have a garden, chickens will eat slugs and snails that might be damaging the plants in it. They also eat insects like grasshoppers, spiders, ticks, and mice that could be harmful to your garden if they were left to roam freely around it.
Before you start keeping chickens in your backyard, it’s important to know whether they are loud enough to disturb your neighbors. Our article on backyard chicken noise provides some insights on what to expect and some tips on how to minimize the noise, such as choosing quieter breeds and keeping roosters in a separate area.
Chickens Are A Source Of Free Fertilizer
Chickens are also a great way to kickstart your garden. They can help control pests and provide free fertilizer for your plants. Chickens are known for their voracious appetites, so if you have a bug or worm problem in the yard, getting chickens is an easy fix.
When chickens eat bugs and worms, they ingest them whole with all the nutrients that come from the insects’ bodies including nitrogen! And when chickens poop out their meals (which is what they do), those same nutrients are released into the environment as well.
Chickens play an important role in organic gardening by providing organic fertilizers through their manure as well as controlling pests through predation on unwanted insect species around our yards and gardens
Chickens Can Reduce The Carbon Footprint Of Your Household.
Chickens are a renewable source of food. While other meats have to be raised, harvested and transported before they can get to your plate, backyard chickens are right there in your backyard!
You can eat them! A small flock of chickens will provide you with eggs, meat and feathers that you can use at home or sell for profit.
In some areas, it is illegal to sell chicken products without a permit from the government but many people do so anyway because it’s just too darn easy not to when you want something fresh from your own backyard chicken coop.
They’re easy to care for! The only thing required for keeping your chickens healthy is space and food (which is usually free).
Backyard fire pits can be a great way to enjoy a warm fire on a cool evening, but it’s important to make sure you’re not breaking any laws or regulations. Check out our article on backyard fire pit legality for some tips on how to check local regulations and what safety precautions to take when using a fire pit.
You’ll Be Able To Save Money On Some Grocery Purchases.
You’ll be able to save money on some grocery purchases. Eggs are a healthy, affordable source of protein and can be used in many ways to replace other expensive ingredients.
For example, you could make your own milk by using eggs instead of actual dairy products in your favorite recipes. Likewise, you could use an egg-based cheese substitute rather than buying high-priced alternatives at the store (such as mozzarella).
Many vegetarians believe that eating only eggs and no other animal products is not enough for good health because they lack vitamins A and D. But if you’re not concerned about this issue and don’t mind having a restricted diet, then it may be worth considering raising backyard chickens just for their potential financial benefits by helping reduce your grocery bills!
Chicken Feed Costs Less Than You Might Think.
The price of chicken feed is one of the most commonly cited reasons for chicken ownership being a poor investment. The idea that you spend $3 per week on food for your chickens sounds more than it really is when you consider how little they eat.
It’s true that, unlike other pets, chickens will not live forever but their short lives are also filled with plenty of pleasure.
You’ll need to provide fresh water every day or two and make sure you keep them warm in the winter months (you’ll probably need a heated coop during those colder months), but otherwise, a good chicken will be happy and healthy as long as it has access to things like fresh air and room to roam around outside its coop every day for at least an hour or so.
If you’re interested in growing your own vegetables or starting a small nursery, a backyard greenhouse can be a great investment. Our article on backyard greenhouse cost explains the factors that affect the cost of a greenhouse and provides some tips on how to save money, such as choosing a smaller size or using salvaged materials.
Raising Backyard Chickens Will Teach Children Important Life Lessons
Raising backyard chickens will teach children important life lessons. Chickens are friendly and easy to care for, so they make great pets for kids that are old enough to understand the responsibility involved in looking after them. Your child will learn about where food comes from, as well as the cycle of life and the environment. This can help your child develop a greater respect for nature and its inhabitants.
Chickens also provide an opportunity for parents to share their passion with their kids by teaching them how to be responsible pet owners who respect other living creatures’ rights as well as their own responsibilities towards them.
One thing I love most about raising chickens is watching my son grow into a caring young man who is willing to give back what he’s been given an appreciation for nature’s beauty alongside an ability to nurture it through his actions today.”
Backyard Chickens Make It Easier To Know Where Your Eggs Come From.
There are many reasons why backyard chickens are worth it. You can know where your eggs come from and see the personalities of your chickens.
You’ll have an easier time identifying them by their eggs, and you can watch them interact with each other in a way that isn’t possible on a large commercial farm. Most importantly, you’ll be able to enjoy fresh eggs every day!
They’re Fun To Watch And Interact With.
Chickens are a lot of fun to watch and interact with. They’re curious, funny, and entertaining.
Chickens are social animals who enjoy interacting with their owners. In fact, they can make great pets for kids they’re easy to train and make excellent teachers! Chickens can be trained to do tricks like walking on leashes or wearing clothes (though we don’t recommend that).
Chickens Provide Pest Control Without Chemicals Or Poisons.
A simple way to reduce your use of pesticides is to let your chickens do the work. Chickens are natural insect predators and will eat any bugs, slugs, and snails that come near them. They also enjoy eating grasshoppers, caterpillars, beetles, and other pests.
This can help protect the plants in your garden from damage by insects. The chickens will also keep those pesky flies away from you while they are outside enjoying their yard time!
Essential Chicken Supplies
| Item | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Chicken coop | Provides shelter and a place for chickens to roost |
| Nesting boxes | Provides a place for chickens to lay eggs |
| Chicken feed | Provides necessary nutrients for chickens’ diet |
| Waterer | Provides clean water for chickens to drink |
| Feeder | Holds and dispenses chicken feed |
| Bedding material | Absorbs waste and keeps the coop clean |
Conclusion
We think that the answer is a resounding “yes!” If you’re considering getting chickens for your own backyard, we hope this article has helped to answer some of your questions.
We’ve covered the costs, benefits of chicken ownership, and even some fun facts about these delightful birds. Now it’s up to you to decide whether or not owning chickens will work for your family.
Further Reading
The Many Benefits of Backyard Chickens: This article from Green America outlines some of the many benefits of keeping backyard chickens, including sustainability, better health, and reduced food waste.
Raising Chickens for Eggs: Cheapism provides a comprehensive guide to raising chickens for eggs, covering everything from how to choose the right breed to what to feed them and how to care for them.
Why You Should Not Get Chickens: While there are many benefits to keeping backyard chickens, it’s important to be aware of the downsides as well. This article from The Happy Chicken Coop provides some reasons why you might want to think twice before getting chickens.
FAQs
What are some common chicken breeds for backyard farming?
Some common breeds for backyard chicken farming include Rhode Island Red, Plymouth Rock, Leghorn, and Sussex.
Do backyard chickens require a lot of space?
It depends on the breed and how many chickens you plan to keep, but generally, chickens need at least 4 square feet of coop space per bird and at least 10 square feet of outdoor space per bird.
What do backyard chickens eat?
Chickens eat a variety of foods, including commercial chicken feed, scratch grains, fruits and vegetables, and insects.
Do backyard chickens need a rooster to lay eggs?
No, hens will lay eggs even without a rooster. However, if you want fertilized eggs to hatch into baby chicks, you will need a rooster.
What are some common health issues in backyard chickens?
Some common health issues in backyard chickens include respiratory infections, parasitic infections, and egg-laying problems. Regular checkups by a veterinarian and good hygiene practices can help prevent and treat these issues.
I am Hellen James, a landscape architect. For many years I have written about landscaping for various publications; however, recently decided to focus my writing on personal experience as a profession.