Here are my 10 reasons I want chickens.
1. Fresh Eggs. Farm eggs generally have less cholesterol, less saturated fat, more vitamins A & E, more Omega 3s, and of course taste better. If you've never had a fresh egg, you're missing out! (And who wouldn't want a blue egg?)
2. Material Use. We have the space, materials for a coop and a dog run. We have almost 7 acres, more than enough room for a small flock. We have materials from a 12x12 shed that was never put up. We have a 12x7 dog run that came with the house. It's never been used by us, and just keeps getting moved. Why not find a real use for it?!
3. Bug Control. Chickens eat all sorts of things, including bugs.
4. Mini Garbage Disposals. Like I said, all sorts of things. They will gladly eat your leftover kitchen scraps. This also helps keep food out of the landfills. Kitchen scraps = tasty eggs. It's a win-win!
5. Organic Fertilizer. Chicken manure makes excellent compost. I already have a small bin set up for my rabbit manure. Since the pasture is so compacted from the horses being on it for 4 years, it needs some ammending. Composted chicken manure would be amazing for my garden next year.
6. Teaching My Son. Even at 2 years old, Connor is old enough to help me feed and water chickens. He can even help me gather eggs, which helps enforce numbers and counting. It's good for kids to be around animals.
7. Cost. Unlike our other pets, chickens don't cost much to feed. Partially due to reasons #3 and #4 above. From my research, it shouldn't cost more than $5-$9/month to keep a flock of 6 chickens. They also don't need electricity in the coop.
8. Animal Welfare. Factory layers are not treated very nicely. A factory hen will most likely never touch grass, never allowed outside, fed an un-natural diet, etc. With backyard chickens, you know how they are taken care of, what they eat and how they are treated.
9. Easy Care. Chickens don't need tons of care. Of course, every animal needs a certain level of care. What I mean is they don't need to be walked every day, no expensive vaccines, etc. It only takes a few minutes every day to feed, water and sweep out the coop.
10. They Are Fun! Yes, fun! Chickens have such cute personalities. They follow you around, they are friendly, they will sit on your lap ;)
Thinking of keeping chickens? Start here!
7 comments:
We used to have chickens when we had an organic orchard. They were running around eating all the bugs and the eggs were just a nice bonus.
My boys love to watch the chicks hatching and then taking care of them. i do miss it sometimes.
I think raising chickens would be a fabulous idea. Especially with children! I hope you can wear him down :)
Great list! Raising chickens would be so cool...good luck!!
Well, now I want chickens!!!!
I really, really want chickens but am having a hard time convincing the boyfriend that they're just what we need on our one acre. I really want the compost and the eggs! Haven't quite figured out how they'd take to our -40 below zero winter nights though. Hmmmm . . .
Have you checked out _Chick Days_ by Jenna Woginrich? I haven't read it, but her first book _Made from Scratch_ was enough to convince me I should give up the day job and have a hobby farm! :D
We've had chickens for years; also ducks, turkeys, guinea hens, and a strange critter which was evidently some sort of goose. Chickens are great fun and very easy. My kids have always loved them.
I don't know where you live, but I really hope it's close to Boston because I for one would love some fresh eggs. You totally talked me into it!
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