Chickens are one of the most beneficial animals for the environment. Additionally, they make great pets – laying eggs and inspiring happiness. The following are five benefits of owning backyard chickens.
According to Green America, “a 2010 Cambridge University study demonstrated that pasture-raised eggs, from chickens given space to peck for food, are more nutritious than industry-sourced eggs, with pasture-raised eggs containing twice as much vitamin E and long-chain omega-3 fatty acids.” In fact, many studies have proven that eggs laid by backyard hens are healthier than eggs laid by industry hens. This is mostly due to the fact that backyard chickens are given not only a better diet, but more space as well, which promotes happiness.
Believe it or not, chickens actually do make great pets. They are reasonably low maintenance and can be excellent pets if taken care of properly. They are valuable in helping to teach children responsibility – collecting the eggs each morning is no small task. Chickens have been known to follow their owners around the yard or even sit in laps. Contrary to popular belief, they can be very affectionate animals. These animals can even recognize up to one hundred faces and associate each with positive or negative memories.
Pesticides are not environmentally friendly. This is a well known fact. However, chickens provide a natural pesticide in the fact that a large part of their diet includes bugs. They will eat pretty much anything and everything and put that protein towards producing eggs. Chickens will not only eat mosquitoes, but will eat ticks as well.
Chickens will eat pretty much anything and everything. This means that they are extremely helpful in reducing food waste. They particularly enjoy fruits and vegetables, but are not picky eaters. Nearly any food that would be otherwise wasted can be fed to chickens and put to good use. Of course, moldy or expired food should not be given to chickens. Additionally, some ingredients such as bread or uncooked pasta are toxic to chickens and should not be given to them.
Chickens can actually help to reduce carbon emissions. Relying on one’s own backyard for a food source saves the fuel of the chicken owner who drives to the store that would be detrimental for the environment. Think about how many eggs are purchased from the store daily. Think about how many people drive to the grocery store. If one forgets an egg in a recipe, they will not have to go to the store and produce carbon emissions – they will simply have to look in their own backyard.
Hens are extremely important for the environment. Keeping chickens is not only beneficial for the earth, but also for the one keeping them.
