As people become more educated on the potential benefits, chicken ownership is booming in the UK. If you’re on the fence about introducing chickens to your back garden, read on to learn some of the more unexpected benefits you can enjoy.
- Free supply of fresh eggs
Perhaps the most obvious reason to keep chickens is the fresh supply of eggs. You won’t have to deal with pale yolks from supermarket hens anymore, as you’ll have a daily supply of fresh eggs produced in your own back garden. Your neighbours will also love it if you have extra eggs to spare.
- Great way to teach children
Children love to spend time with chickens and they can learn a lot about them. First, they can learn about the responsibility of caring for other living things. Chickens are low maintenance but still require care and attention to thrive. Children can also learn about where food comes from and will have a greater appreciation for food when they can see how it is created.
- Calming and relaxing presence
Keeping chickens is a mindful and relaxing activity that can help to drive down your stress levels. Chickens help you to feel more connected to nature, even if you live in a more built up area. Provided you have the space to keep chickens, you’ll be able to spend time enjoying nature and enjoying a mindful moment watching your chickens as they graze. If you’re looking for a way to slow down and be in the moment, chickens offer the perfect reminder.
- Excellent for people with allergies
If you have been told you can’t keep other pets like cats or dogs because of an allergy, there is a good chance you’ll be able to keep chickens without an issue. You won’t need to worry about pet hair or dander in your home, and you’ll have some separation from the pets as they’ll be living outdoors. Chickens have very distinct personalities and you’ll quickly get to know them, just as you would with a dog or cat.
- Reduce food waste
Chickens will happily graze on kitchen scraps that would otherwise be headed for landfill. If you want to reduce your waste and find a better use for kitchen waste, then chickens offer the perfect solution. While there are some things you’ll need to avoid giving to your chickens, the majority of kitchen food waste can be given to your birds.
- Free ground fertiliser
After your chickens graze on kitchen scraps, they’ll produce a free source of manure. Chicken poop is hugely beneficial for gardens and will help to create incredibly fertile soil. If you’re growing fruits and veggies in your garden, you’ll benefit from this free course of fertiliser.
- Low maintenance choice
While chickens do require some attention, they are generally quite low maintenance. You’ll need to feed them daily and give their coop a quick clean while you collect your fresh eggs. You’ll also need to deep clean their coop once a week. Providing a rich and varied diet will help to keep your chickens healthy and happy. Beyond this, chickens are fairly easy to care for and will provide entertainment and enrichment to their owners.
Final thoughts on keeping chickens
When people think about getting a pet, chickens aren’t always on the top of their list, but we think that they should be. Keeping chickens will allow you to enjoy fresh eggs and free manure for your land. It’s a great way to teach children responsibility while also showing them where food comes from. And finally, it’s also incredibly enriching, even for those with pet allergies.
