4 Benefits of Backyard Chickens
Many of us have parents or grandparents that raised chickens on a farm. Now, owning a farm and land are not necessarily requirements to having your very own flock! There are many additional benefits to raising chickens. Keep reading below to see how you can profit by owning backyard chickens with a tip at the end for anyone who lives in in Austin about a special rebate program.
1. Fresh Eggs
One of the obvious reasons for owning a chicken is a constant supply of fresh eggs. Chickens will lay an egg every day to every other day. Be sure to rinse and clean the eggs before cracking them open. You can store them at room temperature, but if you put them in the refrigerator, be sure that’s where you keep them.
2. Natural Pest Control
An amazing benefit to having chickens in the backyard is that they love to eat bugs! Mosquitoes, flies, ants, spiders...chickens love them! They’ll also eat the pesky pests that can wreak havoc on your garden. It’s a win-win. Your chickens are well-fed, and your garden prospers!
3. Valuable Droppings
That’s right! Your chicken’s droppings are valuable...to your garden! By adding waste from your chicken coop to your compost pile, you’ll create nutrient-rich soil that your garden and flowerbeds will love.
4. Feathery Companions
Our favorite reason for raising chickens is the bond they share with their caretakers. Most domestic chickens form a bond with their owners, and vise-versa. Some chickens greet their humans by running up to them for affection. Others will jump in your lap, and ask for cuddles. On average chickens can live as long as large-breed dogs, typically 8-12 years old. Overall, they make fun and interesting pets!
The benefits of keeping chickens expand beyond simply having fresh eggs everyday – although that is a great bonus! If you’re thinking of getting chickens, keep in mind that they can actively contribute to the health of your garden, make great pets and keep pests at bay.