Chickens are the new “pet” of the 21st century–for rural folks as well as city dwellers. Or so it seems. Okay, they might not replace dogs and cats in popularity (yet), but chickens are riding the wave of popular and there’s good reason for it.
Why raise chickens? Here are a few reasons to NOT WAIT in getting started with chickens:
Reason One: Fresh Eggs
Chickens give you an egg (pretty close to daily) in return for food, shelter and care. But even more than fresh eggs is peace of mind. If you’re raising your own chickens for eggs, you know exactly what they have been eating, how they’ve been treated and how much (if any) chemicals or drugs have been digested by them.
Reason Two: Fresh Fertilizer
Yes, good old-fashioned chicken poop. For free. Non-chicken owning city dwellers actually have to PAY for this commodity, but not you! You get it fresh and free, right from the natural source. Plus, again, you know what’s in that fertilizer and don’t have to hope you’re getting something good when you go buy it commercially.
Reason Three: They’re Organic Bug Killer
Chickens love to eat bugs. Those same bugs that love to eat your garden. If you let the chickens eat the bugs, the garden will be left for you!
Reason Four: They Never Get Too Big
Chickens are small. They stay small. They won’t eat you out of house and home because they’re having a growth spurt. You won’t have to build them a new home because they outgrew the old. They take up very little space. (Unlike that puppy you brought home after being assured he was almost done growing….)
Reason Five: They’re Cheap (no pun intended)
The biggest expense in raising chickens is providing them a place to live. It’s even cheap to buy the chickens in the first place. You won’t have to take out a loan to start a backyard flock of hens.
Reason Six: You Don’t Have to Be an Expert
Learning about the doesn’t take a Ph.D. In fact, it’s easy to get started. And easy to stay going.
Reason Seven: Free Entertainment
Chickens have personality! And they will entertain you without even trying.
Reason Eight: They’re Gentle Animals
For the most part, chickens are very gentle animals. This is especially true if you give them lots of human attention when they’re little. This will allow them to get used to being handled and many tame chickens act more like a dog than you’d ever expect (following you around, coming when you call, begging for treats, etc.).
Reason Nine: They Will Help You Garden
Chickens LOVE to dig in the dirt. They LOVE to eat bugs. They LOVE to eat many kinds of weeds. They LOVE to help stir compost to turn it into dirt. They’re a great complimentary addition to a garden (except you do have to watch them so they don’t dig up your plants!)
