The Benefits Of Raising Chickens
All though chickens share many of the benefits with other pets there is one thing that really sents them apart from dogs, cats, fish, etc. That is they produce eggs and poultry meat. In fact producing this food allows you to pay them off in the long run. Add to this that you can produce organic, cage-free eggs and meat at little cost allowing you to dramatically improve the quality of food you eat and you are in a pretty good hobby.
Organic Eggs – If you have ever bought organic and/or cage-free eggs you know they are expensive. These eggs can easily sell for 3 times as much as regular industrial farm eggs. Producing organic eggs and poultry is quite easy and cost effective. All you have to do is feed your chickens organic feed and let them graze on chemical-free grass.
If you are not sure why organic eggs are to your advantage just think about this. Chickens fed an organic diet that roam freely and graze on grass have been shown to produce eggs with higher levels of Omega-3 fatty acids and Vitamin E while also having reduced cholesterol content. The bottom line is no creature was meant to eat a single item from birth to death. Variety and chemical free is natural.
A Chicken\’s Personality – If you enjoy being around animals I am sure you notice that they all have a personality of their own. Chickens are no different. Each of your chickens will have a completely unique personality. You will be tempted to spoil them, pet them, and show them off to your friends and neighbors. Maybe even name each of them. Along with this they will each have their own unique look with varying patterns and colors. You are sure to enjoy just watching after a long day.
Environmentally Responsible – Chickens can help you provide an eco-friendly backyard. This is because chickens love to roam around grazing while they gladly eat garden pests and help keep the lawn short. This prevents the need for chemical pesticides and decreases the amount of lawn care. On top of that chickens turn everything they eat into an organic fertilizer that they spread around the yard. Chickens and worms are some of the most efficient producers of black gold, which eliminates the need for chemical fertilizers. All that is needed from you is some daily care and free evenings to sit and enjoy watching them.
Many people do not realize that chickens can eat almost anything people can eat. This includes left over foods. You should take caution in feeding them strong flavors such as onions and garlic as this can affect the taste of their eggs. Also processed foods and other unhealthy foods are just as bed for chickens as they are for you and will degrade their eggs and meat.
Low-Maintenance – Chickens, compared to many of the other household animals that can be cared for as pets, are rather easy to care for. All they really require is to make sure their food is well stocked every day and the waterer remains full of fresh water. When they reach maturity and begin laying eggs, you will need to collect the eggs on a regular basis. Finally, their coop will need to be cleaned every other day or so and the coop bedding should be changed out every 3 to 4 weeks depending on the weather.
Jason Carwell enjoys writing about and living a sustainable lifestyle. To read more details about chick care please visit DiscoverChickens.com.
