Many people make the mistake of thinking that chickens only live on massive farms. However, if you have even a small amount of land, your property might have enough room for some chickens.They actually don't require much work, and you get these ten fantastic benefits from raising backyard chickens.
Fresh, Organic Eggs
Of course, pretty much every person who talks about reasons to raise backyard chickens mentions the eggs. And it turns out that they are actually right when they rave about how good the eggs from their chickens taste.According to ![image]()
A Pest-Free Lawn
If you are concerned about dosing your lawn with harmful pesticides, chickens can be a great option for you. Chickens are constantly hungry and they definitely aren't picky eaters.They will consume ticks, beetles, They Are Great Pets![image]()
A lot of people assume that chickens are silly or dumb, but they are actually extremely intelligent. Even after being separated from an owner for months, chickens can still recognize their face, and a compilation of research by Robert Grillo found that most chickens can remember up to 100 different people at any time.This intelligence and ability to build relationships allow your chickens to form a real bond with you. If you take care of them, they will grow to love and trust you just like any other pet.
Related: 24 Simple Chicken Coops You Can Build in Your Backyard
You Help to Prevent Animal Cruelty
If you are like me, you probably feel bad for the countless animals trapped in cruel meat, egg, and dairy-producing factories. Not only do you avoid supporting these harmful corporations by producing your own eggs, but you can actually help to save individual animal lives.Many chickens are sent to the slaughterhouse if they begin to lag in egg production or were owned by a failing company. Organizations such as Happy Hen Chicken Rescue work to find good homes for rescued chickens.
You Can Pick Unique Heirloom Breeds
You do not just have to get a basic Leghorn or Rhode Island Red chicken for your backyard. Other fun varieties include Araucanas, which lay beautiful teal-green eggs, Silkies, which have fluffy, furry coats, and the Polish breeds that have a striking crest of feathers surrounding their head.If you start breeding one of these heirloom varieties, you will get the satisfaction of knowing that you are helping to save a unique gene pool. ![image]()
They Don't Cost Much to Feed
Unlike a horse or other backyard animal, there is almost no cost required to feed backyard chickens. If you do not have enough bugs for them to snack on, they will flourish on certain types of table scraps.Items like vegetable peels, bread crusts, leftover beans, and bits of oatmeal are all eagerly eaten by chickens. This saves money and cuts back on wasted foods. You can check out this list by Chickens Get Rid of Weeds
