This is the first post in a series I am starting on raising your own backyard chickens. I have been a backyard chicken owner since 2010. I hope to continue raising chickens as long as I can.
Backyard chicken keeping is on the rise. Chickens are relatively low maintenance, don't require a lot of space, and are a great step in becoming more self sufficient. Here are 5 reasons to consider starting your own backyard flock.
Entertainment. Chickens are fun to watch. When treated with care they can actually become more like pets than livestock. As soon as our chickens see us come outside they come running up to us and some even let us pet them or pick them up to hold.
Bug control. Chickens eat all sorts of bugs like ear wigs, spiders, and beetles. These bugs can reak havoc on your garden. Having chickens around can greatly reduce your problems with the bug population.
Teach your kids responsibility. Most children will happily help you care for chickens. Going out a couple times a day and finding an egg in the nesting box is exciting. Let them learn to help you care for your chickens by teaching them how to feed, water and clean out the chicken house.
Fuel your compost bin. Composting is its finest when poo is added to it. Chickens do a lot of this. Add it to your compost bin and watch it flourish!
And the obvious reason...fresh eggs everyday (and/or meat if you desire)!
I would love to have chickens, in fact my parents backyard is large enough to have them but it is a code violation in Chicago. Question, how do you handle chickens if cats are roaming around?
ReplyDeleteHi Sara! Thanks for sharing this information! We keep our hens in a fenced area so there is less chance of a predator getting them. I love gathering fresh eggs daily! Blessings from Bama!
ReplyDeleteI take it back, you can have chickens in CHICAGO, yippee. I'm going to take a seminar on how to raise chickens in March.
ReplyDelete