Weighing the benefits of raising chickens in your backyard? There are many benefits and some disadvantages to having backyard chickens.
I will go over both the pros and cons of raising backyard chickens. It will be up to you to decide on whether to raise a flock of your own.
11 Benefits of raising chickens in your backyard
Chickens lay fresh eggs every day
The taste of fresh eggs from your laying hens is great. Forgot to buy cereal this week? No problem just go to the coop and cook some eggs for breakfast.
You know exactly where the eggs came from.
Knowing exactly what you feed your hens and what food quality you have gives you peace of mind.
You don’t have to worry about any antibiotics a commercial factory farm may be giving to its egg-laying hens to sustain egg production.
Each hen you have should lay one egg a day. This could be different though depending on the breed. Some hens may lay just 3 or more times each week.
Chickens contribute to sustainable living
My family enjoys growing some of our own food that we eat on a weekly basis.
Having the ability to feed your family no matter what is going on in the world helps reduce worries in uncertain times.
Chickens can make great pets
My daughter loves going out to our backyard every day to play with our chickens. She loves feeding them tasty treats such as worms and seeds from our garden.
Having chickens provides my daughter with hours of daily entertainment. She likes watching the hens chase the dog. She also enjoys running around trying to catch them.
Chickens eat pests in your yard
Since we have had a flock of backyard chickens I have noticed a reduced amount of pests and bugs. Our rooster and hens are constantly scratching and pecking for juicy grubs and other bugs to munch on.
Chickens reduce food waste in your kitchen
You can feed your chickens many of the food scraps you would normally through in the trash can.
Some of these kitchen scraps include old bread, partially eaten fruit, lettuce from salads, tomatoes, seeds, and nuts.
Raising chickens provides education for kids
My daughter has learned all about chickens. She enjoys going to the chicken coop day to see how many eggs the hens have laid on a particular day.
Having chickens visually teaches young children about the food chain. They are able to learn where part of their food source comes from.
Chicken manure is an excellent fertilizer
If have your own vegetable garden then you know mixing chicken manure in your compost pile will give it an extra kick.
Chicken manure has the highest amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium when compared to other animal manures.
It is a great FREE fertilizer to add to your vegetable garden that is natural and costs nothing compared to store-bought products.
Chickens control weeds in your yard
My chickens are constantly scratching the ground looking for insects and grubs.
When I confine them to a small area they will scratch away the weeds in a short period of time.
We also have fruit trees in our backyard, and they will munch on the fallen fruit before it starts to rot and attract insects.
Caring for chickens is a simple process
Chickens need food and water. They also need a coop that will protect them from predators and the elements. Once you have this all set up it is easy to maintain and care for chickens.
You can share eggs with your neighbors
My neighbors love when I bring over extra eggs from my hens. I also enjoy giving out eggs to friends and family when I see them.
You will be eating a lot of eggs
Eggs contain omega–3 fatty acids which are healthy for you. Eggs are also a good source of protein containing 5-7 grams depending on the size of egg you are eating.
Eggs are also a source of beta-carotene and contain small amounts of almost every vitamin.
Animal welfare
You will not be supporting the chicken factory farming that keeps their hens in tight spaces all day. These hens are hatched only to constantly lay eggs for the commercial farm industry and have a low quality of life.
11 Disadvantages of raising chickens
While their are many benefits of having chickens there are some disadvantages as well. You should weight the pros and cons before deciding to start this new hobby.
You will need to build or purchase a coop
You need a coop that will protect your flock from predators and shield them from the elements. This will cost money to purchase a premade one. You can also build one from many plans listed on the internet.
You have to clean and maintain your coop
Coops get dirty and stink. You generally want to clean your coop out every month or two depending on how many hens you are keeping. It is also a good idea to do a deep cleaning a few times a year.
You have to water and feed your chickens daily
Backyard hens need to be feed and given water daily. Though this is not hard to do it does require time and dedication.
If you are free-ranging your flock of chickens you will need to lock them up at night and let them out in the morning.
A chicken coop often attracts rodents
Chicken feed attracts rats and mice. I have had problems in this area. You will need to set traps to dispose of the rats before their numbers get too big.
Predators will try to eat your chickens
Over the years I have had a possum get in my coop and kill a hen. Hawks swoop down and take my hens. I have also had problems with raccoons killing some of my flock.
If you live near a wooded area be prepared for animals to probe the weaknesses in your coops defenses.
Chickens can be noisy
Hens can be noisy especially if you have a fairly large flock. If you plan to have a rooster they can be extremely loud and bother your neighbors. If you are worried about noise don’t get a rooster and you should be ok.
Depending on where you live you may have to follow local city ordinances. It can be a hassle to get a permit and may even cost money to get the necessary permits.
Free-range chickens get poop everywhere
Our chickens free-range in our back yard and that means stepping in chicken manure and possibly tracking it indoors.
If you have a lot of hens the spots where chickens poop can get can be a little annoying. My chickens also like to fly on our back deck and make messes that I step in.
You have to spend money on feed for your chickens
Chickens cost money, though you may save money in the long run if you eat a lot of eggs per week.
Vacation plans will require having someone watch your chickens
Your chickens need daily care. If you go on vacation someone will have to water and feed them. You can’t drop them off at the doggy hotel.
Chickens can give you germs
Young children that can get sick from germs chickens spread such as Salmonella, Campylobacter, and E. coli. These diseases can cause skin irritation, illness, or worse.
Caring for sick chickens can be difficult
Chickens can get diseases such as Fowl Cholera, Coccidiosis, Newcastle Disease, and others. If you live in a suburban area it can be tough to find a veterinarian that treats chickens.
Conclusion
Being a chicken owner has its benefits and disadvantages. If you are not sure about getting chickens you always talk to someone who has them.
Start small with a few hens and if you enjoy the hobby add more to your flock.
In my opinion the benefits of having chickens far out weight the disadvantages.