Why have a backyard flock when you can buy Extra Large Eggs for 73 cents per dozen?

[Isadora]

The short answer is, it's not always about money. A lot of people care about more than just what a dozen eggs will cost them.
Our chickens are great entertainment, educational for my kids, pest control for the yard, and I know the eggs came from happy hens who were not given subpar feed or medications.
Win, win, win! (Despite the fact that yes, one dozen eggs does cost more than $0.73)

 

[Chicken Heel]

I keep raising chickens for one simple reason which is, I still feel the same joy when I see an egg in a nest, a mother hen with chicks, or hearing a rooster crow as I did as a young lad over a half century ago. That along with just watching and listening to them has brought me so much happiness throughout my lifetime.

 

[Sally PB]

I agree with all those answers, too.

Depending on the person asking, I might make up something like, "Well, don't tell anyone, but the land under my chicken run has a tiiiiiny amount of [whisper] gold in it. A specific gold compound is used to treat some cases of arthritis, did you know that? The chickens eat up the dirt, poop it out, and I'm having it made into an arthritis cream, as an new treatment. If you have arthritis, I can ask about getting you into the experimental study." (Look at them expectantly for an answer.)

 

[Brooks_]

Not going to Wal-mart should be reason enough.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I don't even eat eggs (apart from using them to bake). But I'm having an increasingly hard time interacting with people easily and my birds help me stay composed when I start to get overwhelmed. Most of them are far more understanding than people are, and they're fine listening to me and letting me touch them, especially my sebrights and one of my polish.

The roosters would rather I not bother them, but even they're nice when I'm struggling.

The fact that they are almost the sole thing I spend money on outside of bills is more than okay with me for their companionship.

 

[WIchickMama]

Not going to Wal-mart should be reason enough.

Yes! Yes! Yes!

And bc it makes me happy (along with all the other awesome reasons listed). I am in my chickens run right now watching them.

 

[Brooks_]

Yes! Yes! Yes!

And bc it makes me happy (along with all the other awesome reasons listed). I am in my chickens run right now watching them.

Mine are out for free time now. Bigs and littles have made progress as for interacting in the last couple days.

 

[MTKitty]

Beyond the fact that I haven’t been in any grocery store that had eggs in any size that are only 73-cents per dozen, I keep chickens because I’m retired and it’s what I want to do. As long as it makes me happy and I can afford to do it, that’s all the reason I need. Eggs, meat, and entertainment are a bonus.

 

[All4Eggz]

buy a dozen of Extra Large eggs for only 73 cents!?

First off, what Walmart sells extra large eggs for only 73 cents!!!??? That's incredible!!
Where are you located?
In my area, eggs are usually $3-$4 for 1 dozen of extra large eggs. And so called "organic" eggs can go as high as $5 a dozen. But I know where I get the highest possible organic eggs - from my backyard chickens.


Some of these were mentioned already, but here are some reasons for why I like to keep chickens in my backyard
- Fresh egg bonus
- You know what your chickens eat (for the most part)
- They build relationships with you and sometimes have little "conversations" with you. Some argue they are better pets than cats/dogs. I definitely think so
- Hatching chicks is just an AMAZING experience
- Fun to watch them run around the yard
- Meat grown right in your backyard!
- Poop is great fertilizer
- You can sell eggs/meat to make $. People would be willing to pay MORE (than 75 cents ) when they know that the eggs came from a backyard coop!

 

[MTKitty]

I agree with all those answers, too.

Depending on the person asking, I might make up something like, "Well, don't tell anyone, but the land under my chicken run has a tiiiiiny amount of [whisper] gold in it. A specific gold compound is used to treat some cases of arthritis, did you know that? The chickens eat up the dirt, poop it out, and I'm having it made into an arthritis cream, as an new treatment. If you have arthritis, I can ask about getting you into the experimental study." (Look at them expectantly for an answer.)

That’s just evil. I like you.