Top 5 reasons people keep chickens.

SiDaStuff

Songster
May 26, 2021
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Most people know chickens provide delicious eggs, but don't realize the many other benefits that come with having your own backyard flock. So we ran a poll to find out the top 5 reasons people keep chickens. Here are some of the most common reasons people keep chickens, as voted by you our BYC members:

1. Eggs
Eggs are one of the few foods that could be classified as superfoods. They are among the most nutritious foods on the planet, containing a little bit of almost every nutrient you need. Omega-3 enriched and/or pastured eggs are even healthier. So which do you prefer: Store eggs or Farm eggs?
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2. Pets
Most people think of chickens as backyard roamers, or maybe the next item on the dinner plate. But there is another way to own chickens, and that way is raising them to be your companion. Many people find this hard to believe, but chickens can be just as loyal as cogs. Some will sit in your lap, come when they hear their name, and even cuddle with you for hours straight. Learn how to raise a chicken as a family pet here OR Read here to learn how to tame a chicken from the start!

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3. Fertilizer
Chicken, as opposed to cow or horse manure does not contain seeds because chickens process everything they eat. Due to their grinding organ, the gizzard, all seeds are broken down into usable fuel for a garden. Chicken manure can be a great fertilizer for your plants if you use it properly. Learn how to garden with chickens here.
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4. Pest Control
One of the best advantages of having a backyard flock, is the natural pest control they provide. While they are out scratching around the yard, they are eating a wide variety of insects, such as ticks, beetles, and spiders. The high protein bugs and beneficial microbes are a favorite “snack”. This free food not only improves the quality of the eggs, but it also reduces the amount of feed you have to buy. Still not convinced? Check out the other great benefits to raising chickens, including pest control here.
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5. Meat
With the rising cost of food and especially meat, many people are looking closer to home to start raising their food. Backyard gardens are on the rise, and many people are starting to raise their own chickens for eggs. Meat chickens are one meat source that can be raised with minimal space (compared to say, a cow), convert feed efficiently, and can be processed at home with ease. Read more on how to raise chickens for meat here.

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And don't forget about the show chickens
They can be a lot of fun!
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Very nice!! I’ll read about the fertilizer now. I’m not sure how to use it, thanks for giving us all the info in one post!
 

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