Lets have a little fun and look at 10 reasons chickens are a great fit. How many of these resonate with you?
1 You want to eat fresh chicken eggs
Fresh eggs that are locally sourced have their own taste I have heard. For myself, I find local fresh eggs agree with my stomach over store bought eggs. You will not find eggs much fresher than right out your back door.
2 You want to know what the chickens that lay your eggs are eating.
Owning your own chickens gives you the option of choosing organic, non-GMO, whole (not processed), locally sourced or commercial chicken feed.
Knowing what goes into the food you are eating allows people to work to attain health goals. The choice is your when you own your own chickens and you may allow them to free range if you choose to.
3 Watching chickens relaxes you.
One rainy afternoon, my friend Beth and I sat and watching roosters that hung out in the barn free to roam. We discussed their strong and weak points. Notice the higher wing set of the rooster on the left compared to the rooster on the right.
As we both enjoy taking pretty pictures, we spent at least a half hour entertaining ourselves snapping 20 to 30 pictures. We have a few good ones out of the bunch.
Chicken behaviors make you laugh. They can do the funniest things. Rocky lives at Beth’s house and she told me how he would peck at the chrome bumper on the truck. It was shinny enough that Rocky seen his own reflection and pecked at it.
4 You want to show or exhibit chickens
County Fairs offer opportunity for ages 9-18 to take part in 4-H shows. If you are over 18 some county fairs offer open classes for all ages.
Most states have chicken shows through out the state. Find a local chicken group on Facebook or Me We. Contact your local county extension office as another source to connect with chicken owners.
National and State poultry shows provide a place to compete with your birds and meet other poultry enthusiasts.
5 You love the sound of a rooster crowing
I wake up every morning to the sound of Cherokee and others crowing repeatedly. Personally, I love it. I am reminded I live in the country and enjoy the sounds of animals. I have a pen set up outside my bedroom window so there is no way to miss it.
If you live in town you can still enjoy chickens, but not roosters. Urban communities often allow hens, but do not permit roosters. Not everyone enjoys the sound as I do.
6 You like to care for animals and birds.
Do you find joy in knowing you have provided for animals and birds?Does it make you feel good to know you have provided food, water and shelter and dry bedding? I get this warm satisfied feeling when chores are done.
If that is you, having a pen of chickens in your back yard is for you. I feel good laying down my head at night knowing my animals are fed and provided for.
7 You desire a small side income.
Another idea is selling eggs to others who want to hatch thier own chicks. For the eggs to be fertile you will need a rooster.
Do you want a little egg money on the side? Want to sell baby chicks or hatching eggs? Chicken can provide a bit of side money. Nothing one will get rich on, but if you watch your expenses, they can bring a bit of income in.
I want to note here that if one is breeding chickens for the betterment of a breed , it may be a longer and larger investment before seeing much return.
Allowing chickens to free range reduces feed costs.
8 You want a chicken as a pet
People enjoy chickens as pets. They are funny to watch and have their own personalities if you take the time to know them.
Some of my chickens when they free range will come running to me when I walk out near them.
When I was a youngster, my sister and I tamed one of our farm chickens. We called her Debbie and she would sit on our lap or arm.
I now have a Swedish Flower Hen named Debbie. She looks like the Debbie of my child hood. In fact, a Swedish Flower Hen pictured on Facebook that looked like the pet of my childhood started my on my Swedish Flower Hen journey.
Some of my chickens when they free range will come running to me when I walk out near them.
9 You want to teach children in your life.
Chicken provide lessons to children in your life from daily responsibility of doing chores to facts of the birds and the bees.
The lessons of where food comes from also can be learned from chickens. Teaching children a hard fact that animals give their life to provide meat and how to value them while they live.
For the little ones
10
You are looking for reasons to get outside and move around in all kinds of weather.
Feeding animals get me up and moving even on days I do not feel my best. Movement helps me with my health goals. Thinking of the animals instead of how lousy I may be feeling drives me outside. Truly, this allows me to keep going in all areas of my life.
I struggle with low energy levels due to sugar levels, thyroid levels and cortisol levels. Fresh air does wonders for the soul and mental state. I encourage you to push a little and reap the benefits of movement and fresh air. Caring for my animals helps me do that.
Bonus
Chickens prep ground on the homestead
Read how chickens have contributed to the homestead here at CG Heartbeats Farm on the blog post Chickens on the Homestead
NOTE: This page or post contains affiliate links. When you click and make a purchase I earn a portion of the money you spend at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for your support.
I wonder what you would add to this list. Leave me a comment below or send me a quick email using this form.
