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How to Care for Chickens in the Winter
Learn essential chicken care tips for extreme cold, from coop prep to flock protection. Keep your chickens safe this winter.
Read More November 1, 2023 | Blain's Farm & Fleet5 Benefits of Having Chickens
If you’ve been thinking about getting chickens, you’re not alone. Backyard chickens continue to gain popularity, and for good reason. From providing fresh eggs to offering natural pest control, owning them has plenty of perks. Learn about five key benefits of raising chickens with Blain’s Farm & Fleet.
1. Fresh Eggs
One of the most obvious perks of having chickens is the steady supply of fresh, delicious eggs. Unlike store-bought eggs, which can sit on shelves for weeks, backyard eggs are as fresh as they come. They also often have richer yolks, brighter colors, and a fresher overall taste.
When you raise your own chickens, you also know exactly what goes into their food. You can ensure they’re eating a high-quality feed and getting the proper nutrition they require. This balanced diet results in healthier eggs with more nutrients, like omega-3s, compared to mass-produced alternatives.
Most chickens start laying eggs when they’re about five to six months old, and each hen will lay around five to six eggs per week in peak season. With a small flock of just a few hens, you can reliably feed your family and even have extras to share.
2. Natural Pest Control
Chickens are fantastic helpers when it comes to controlling pests. They love to snack on all sorts of insects, including beetles, ticks, flies, grubs, and mosquitoes. If you enjoy gardening or spending time outdoors, you’ll quickly notice a difference when your chickens start prowling for pests in your yard.
Chickens have a knack for finding insects that would otherwise make their way into your garden or home. By allowing them to free-range for a portion of the day (in a secure area), they’ll happily keep many bug populations down without the need for any toxic chemicals.
Keep in mind that chickens may also scratch at soil and eat plants, so consider fencing off delicate flowerbeds or vegetable gardens to avoid accidental damage while they roam.
3. Cost Savings
While there’s an initial investment in building a coop and buying feed, owning chickens can help save you money in the long run. For starters, the cost of fresh, high-quality eggs adds up quickly at the store, especially if your family eats a lot of them. With chickens, you have a free supply right on hand.
Chickens also help you reduce food waste. Instead of tossing food scraps like vegetable peels, stale bread, or cooked rice, you can give them to your flock as part of their diet to reduce feed costs. Just be careful to avoid foods that are harmful to chickens, like onion or avocado.
You can also turn chicken droppings into free fertilizer. It’s nitrogen-rich and perfect for composting. Instead of buying expensive fertilizers, you can enrich your garden soil naturally with chicken compost.
4. Sustainable Living
Chickens are great for anyone who’s looking to live a more sustainable and eco-friendly lifestyle. They eat leftovers, provide nutrient-rich manure, and reduce your dependency on store-bought eggs.
Keeping chickens also helps shrink your carbon footprint. Every egg laid in your backyard means one less has to be transported, packaged, and processed in an industrial system. Plus, you can share any extra eggs with friends or neighbors.
Chickens can also help your garden thrive. With a compost bin, you can mix kitchen scraps and chicken manure with other organic materials to create a rich compost. You can use the compost to keep your flowers, vegetables, and trees thriving for years to come.
5. Companionship and Entertainment
Chickens aren’t just practical—they’re fun, too! Many people are surprised to discover how much personality these birds have. You’ll find that some are sassy, others are shy, and a few might even follow you around your yard.
While we typically think of dogs or cats as pets, chickens can also make great companions. For families, chickens are a great way to teach kids about responsibility and the cycle of life. Collecting eggs, refilling water, and feeding them are easy chores even younger family members can help with.
Spend time getting to know your flock. Hand-feeding treats or simply watching them scratch and explore the yard can be surprisingly entertaining and even relaxing. The more attention you give them, the more comfortable and bonded they’ll become with you.
Raising chickens isn’t just for people with an interest in farming. It’s a rewarding experience that offers fresh eggs, cost savings, natural pest control, and more. If you’ve been thinking about starting a flock, why not take the first step? Build a small coop, pick out a few beginner-friendly chicken breeds, and see firsthand how these feathered friends can make a positive impact on your life.
For more tips and tricks on raising chickens, check out our other Chickens & Poultry articles.
